Community Safety Advocate

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would like to invite applications for the post of Community Safety Advocate, based in Midlothian, East Lothian & the Scottish Borders. This is a full-time opportunity on a temporary basis, working 35 hours per week.

This is a full-time post however applications from individuals seeking to work on a part time, job share or flexible working basis would be considered.

Full details of the role and our recruitment process can be found in the attached information pack. The Community Safety Advocate will be part of the LSO Area Community Action Team (CAT) with a requirement to assist in the delivery of the objectives outlined in the Prevention and Protection (P&P) Strategy and Local Fire Plan.

Activities to be undertaken include identifying, engaging and educating individuals and communities at an increased risk of fire. Partnership working will be a key element of the role in order to raise fire risk awareness and generate high value HFSV referrals. Advocates will also be required to support thematic areas of work including road safety, working with children and young people, and engaging with older persons.

 FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY TASKS

• To support the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in the delivery of the P&P Strategy and
• local Fire Plan(s)
• Generate Home Fire Safety Visit (HFSV) referrals, primarily for at risk individuals and
• communities, and where necessary, conduct HFSVs
• Maintain accurate records in relation to HFSVs, activities and partnership working via the
• Community Safety Engagement Toolkit (CSET)
• Work with LSO Area personnel to deliver appropriate fire safety initiatives
• Identify individuals and communities at an increased risk of fire through interaction with fellow
• team members, SFRS staff, partner organisations, community groups and the general public.
• Determine the most appropriate way to communicate with high-risk group members e.g. a
• group presentation or a joint visit with partner organisations
• Develop close working links with communities, organisations and target groups to raise the
• profile of the SFRS and the objective of creating safer communities
• Arrange and attend events, provide advice and deliver presentation to specific target groups
• and associated partners on the issues surrounding domestic fire safety and other CSE priorities
• Where relevant, support the SFRS’ work with children and young people through the promoting
• and delivering fire safety in educational establishments, and assisting in the delivery of youth
• engagement activities
• Recognise and highlight individuals who are at risk due to other issues not relating directly to
• Generate referrals to appropriate partner agencies and maintain accurate records
• Via presentations and appropriate mediums, provide information to SFRS personnel to raise
• knowledge and understanding of specific target groups and ensure legacy issues are considered
• for the continuation of initiatives and engagement links
• Develop and agree action plans and provide regular reports on the progress of initiatives and
• associated outcomes to the line manager. Maintain accurate records of all activity and
• partnership working, utilising CSET where relevant
• Maintain personal development training and support the sharing of good practice, skill and
• knowledge amongst CAT members across the Service Delivery Area
• Always represent the SFRS in a professional manner

 

 

Essential Criteria:

Candidates must have experience of working as part of a team, with excellent time management skills and sound communication skills, both written and verbal and must possess organisation and prioritisation skills with the ability to work with minimal supervision. The candidate must be confident when delivering information to a large volume of adults and children as required by the role.

The successful candidate must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Candidates will require to pass an ICAT basic and will be placed onto a series of courses including, Naloxone, fire skills, FSSE, Safeguarding training and other partnership courses relevant to the role.

Applicants will be expected to travel across the LSO Area, and neighbouring LSO Areas (as and when required) and should have a flexible approach to working hours as occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of delivering presentations and communicating with a range of individuals and groups.
• Knowledge of safety issues relating to individual and communities
• Knowledge of home fire safety issues
• Experience of working with members of diverse communities and groups including children and young people, older person and hard to engage individuals
• Awareness and understanding of key SFRS policies and procedures
• A knowledge of the communities/networks/organisation and groups located within the LSO Area

Salary on appointment will normally be at the lower salary point, with progression subject to regular review - in line with the SFRS performance appraisal arrangements.  A higher salary placing will be considered in exceptional circumstances subject to experience demonstrated.

This post is subject to the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exemptions) Scotland Order 2013. The successful candidate will be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and will be required to carry out regulated work with adults and children.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourage applications from all sectors of the community. In addition, we are committed to being a “Disability Confident Employer” and will ensure that all applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role are invited for interview.

If you would like to apply in a different format, please email People Services at SFRS.PODVacancies@firescotland.gov.uk.

Please note, a fully completed application form must be submitted as SFRS do not accept CVs in support of applications for employment.