Peer Support Mentor and Co-ordinator – Stranraer

Apex Scotland is the leading employment and training organisation specialising in work with people with convictions.

Apex Scotland offers a diverse range of services for young people and adults to help them remove personal barriers to employment and engage in education, employment or community activities.  We also work in partnership with many organisations and employers.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual who has effective communication skills and an understanding of the nature of issues that unemployed individuals may present with. The right candidate will have the ability to engage with service users on a one to one basis, assisting them to become peer mentors and support those who have experience of the justice system and/or had involvement with Justice Social Work.  Information and feedback gathered from peer support groups, co-ordinated by the post holder, will be used to improve existing services and utilised in the development and design of services in the future.  This position will be hosted by Apex Scotland, overseen by a steering group comprising of partners from Community Justice.

For this post you should be able to demonstrate good communications skills, be approachable and compassionate and have knowledge or experience of employability.  Experience of working to deadlines and targets is desirable. A keen eye for detail and understanding of good record keeping is essential as information is recorded in paper files and on our database. You would need to demonstrate flexibility and the ability to deal with targets.  Some travel will be required therefore a driving licence or access to a means of transport would be an advantage. This service is currently funded until January 2023.

This is a new initiative and the right candidate will be responsible for identifying, recruiting and supporting volunteer mentors to launch the service, to set up a support network and identify suitable training and resources.  The Peer Support Mentor will be required to network with a range of support agencies and report back regularly on the activities of the peer support volunteers to the steering group.

Closing date for returned applications is 12 noon on Monday 24 January 2022.  It is anticipated we will conduct interviews in person, but may need to revert to a virtual method using Teams, depending on numbers and restrictions.

Part time or job share options can be discussed, please state your preference on your application.

In view of the nature of these posts and the requirement to work with vulnerable adults, the post holder will be required to join the relevant PVG scheme.

This position is funded by Dumfries and Galloway Justice Social Work.

Stranraer Peer Mentor job description January 2022