Jobs in Kilmarnock West and Crosshouse, East Ayrshire

Break the Silence is a registered charity in Scotland and a company limited by guarantee. We make a profound and positive difference in the lives of those affected by childhood sexual trauma, their partners and family members. We support all genders, age 13+ across East and North Ayrshire. We are a centre of excellence, offering a professional counselling service, accredited by British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. We follow the BACP Ethical Framework for Counselling Professions.

About the role

We seek people to support the existing board and staff team in evolving the charity further. Having recently reviewed the skillset of the existing board, we especially welcome people with experience of Finance.

Board meetings are held online quarterly lasting 2.5hs/meeting and some additional time is required outside meeting times to read board papers, where invited, to attend in-person events or training, or where there is voluntary participation in additional board sub group activities. Trustees need not be local and remote trustees are welcome given the online meeting format.

Trustee appointments are for a three year period, renewable thereafter in accordance with our Memorandum and Articles of Association.

We seek applicants who understand the community we serve and we value the diversity of opinion, thought and experience new board members can bring. Key responsibilities include; strategic oversight, financial governance, and safeguarding responsibilities. For more information on the duties of a charity trustee, please visit: OSCR | Charity trustee duties

About you

This role may appeal to those wishing to volunteer as a trustee for the first time, or to an experienced trustee seeking a new challenge. A full induction will be provided to include training in trauma and safeguarding.

It is important that potential candidates share our values of being compassionate and collaborative, effective and knowledgeable in supporting those affected by childhood sexual trauma and support the charity’s vision to influence and inform within the sector.

This post is unremunerated and PVG is required as this is considered a regulated role. In addition, we must comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Act 2023. Within section 69 of the 2005 Act amended by the 2023 Act, there is specific criteria which disqualifies an individual from acting as a charity trustee. A full list of criteria is given here: OSCR | Annex 1: Criteria for disqualification. All candidates must meet eligibility requirements.

We are a registered disability confident employer and will be flexible throughout the recruitment process and welcome the opportunity to discuss alternative application methods/interview formats.

A fantastic opportunity to join Children First in East Ayrshire

Children First’s ambition is for every child in Scotland to be safe, loved and well with their family. As a charity we offer emotional, practical, and financial support to help families put children first and campaign to uphold the rights of every child.

Our service is continuing to grow as we further embed Family Group Decision Making at the heart of our practice with families in East Ayrshire. We are looking for Project Workers who will build meaningful relationships with children, young people, parents, and their wider family networks, creating a safe and supportive space for everyone to be heard.

Are you passionate about empowering families to find their own solutions and make plans that keep children safe and connected to those who matter most?

Would you like to engage wider family networks, facilitate meaningful discussions, and support families to work together during difficult times?

Do you have experience supporting children and their families through difficult times whilst encouraging them to take an active part in decisions that affect their lives?

The role will focus on helping families overcome barriers, strengthen relationships, connect with community resources and maintain progress towards agreed family plans. The post holder will promote family-led solutions, build resilience and support families to safely care for and nurture their children within their own family and community networks.

This is a relationship-based role where listening, curiosity, compassion and belief in families are as important as practical support. You will draw on family-led planning and strengths-based approaches reflected in FGDM practice and Children First's wider family support model.

What kind of people are we looking for?

• have experience of keeping children safe in their own families
• are fiercely passionate about children’s rights
• thinks it’s a privilege to work with and on behalf of children and families and,
• are kind and will bring their whole selves to the job: heart and mind

What kind of team member will you be?

Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• resilient, skilled and knowledgeable who wants to transform children’s lives
• determined to support children to stay safely with their own family
• big hearted and courageous
• able to build strong relationships and to manage the tricky conversations
• is compassionate and understanding of trauma
• a cool head and clear minded at times of pressure
• inspiring colleagues and teams to be even better
• an amazing ambassador for children and Children First

Above all else, the most important thing to us is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children and their families at every turn.

At Children First, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects communities across Scotland. Guided by our values, With Love, With Purpose, With Strength, we strive to create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to thrive. We actively work to remove barriers to inclusion and promote equity in all aspects of our work. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially those from marginalised communities, and are dedicated to ensuring a fair and supportive recruitment process.

Base

You will be based with our East Ayrshire FGDM team, co located in the HSCP, Kilmarnock/Cumnock.

Salary, Conditions, Pension

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 9 public holidays). We have additional benefits such as a cash back health plan, cycle to work scheme, and option to join a Credit Union.

Further Information

We welcome and encourage applications from potential colleagues from all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, belief, disability who share our values. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the role before applying, please contact: rosemary.mccabe@childrenfirst.org.uk

A fantastic opportunity to join Children First

Children First’s ambition is for every child in Scotland to be safe, loved and well with their family. As a charity we offer emotional, practical, and financial support to help families put children first and campaign to uphold the rights of every child.

We are looking for a full time Family Group Decision Making Coordinator to join our team in East Ayrshire. As a Coordinator you will work with children and families of all ages and at different stages of risk and need.

Family Group Decision Making is working with family groups in a strengths-based way to support them to create Family Plans, keeping children safe and at home within their family networks.

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in Family Group Decision Making, restorative and strengths-based approaches to working with families, and has experience of working with children where there are safeguarding or wellbeing concerns.

Children First are determined that the full incorporation of the UNCRC means that children will have their rights respected in all areas of their lives and will have a real say in the way they are supported. If you share this determination, we would love to hear from you.

What kind of people are we looking for?

• have experience of keeping children safe in their own families
• are fiercely passionate about children’s rights
• thinks it’s a privilege to work with and on behalf of children and families and,
• are kind and will bring their whole selves to the job: heart and mind

What kind of team member will you be?

Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• resilient, skilled and knowledgeable who wants to transform children’s lives
• determined to support children to stay safely with their own family
• big hearted and courageous
• able to build strong relationships and to manage the tricky conversations
• is compassionate and understanding of trauma
• a cool head and clear minded at times of pressure
• inspiring colleagues and teams to be even better
• an amazing ambassador for children and Children First

Above all else, the most important thing to us is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children and their families at every turn.

At Children First, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects communities across Scotland. Guided by our values, With Love, With Purpose, With Strength, we strive to create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to thrive. We actively work to remove barriers to inclusion and promote equity in all aspects of our work. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially those from marginalised communities, and are dedicated to ensuring a fair and supportive recruitment process.

Base

You will be based with our East Ayrshire FGDM team, co located in the HSCP, Kilmarnock/Cumnock.

Salary, Conditions, Pension

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 9 public holidays). We have additional benefits such as a cash back health plan, cycle to work scheme, and option to join a Credit Union.

Further Information

We welcome and encourage applications from potential colleagues from all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, belief, disability who share our values. If you would like to discuss any aspect of the role before applying, please contact: rosemary.mccabe@childrenfirst.org.uk

Looking for a role where your work truly matters? You could be part of a team that genuinely has each other’s backs, working together to provide safe, secure and supportive accommodation where our supported people can feel valued, respected and empowered to live life on their own terms.

As an Assistant Service Manager, you’ll work with your team in delivering quality housing support and supporting people with multi-complex needs, who are presenting as homeless in crisis and/or previously looked after or accommodated people to build their skills and confidence to sustain their own tenancy. Along with the Service Manager, you will help manage a team who provide practical and emotional support, build trusting relationships and, most importantly, help people believe in what they can achieve.

Blue Triangle is an award-winning charity and social care organisation who believe everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. We support people experiencing homelessness to build brighter futures, and we’re looking for kind, passionate and creative individuals who share our values. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated, everyone is treated with dignity and respect, and people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

How You’ll Support People to Thrive

• You’ll work as part of a team providing safe, secure, supported accommodation for homeless people.
• You’ll assist the Service Manager to oversee and assess the support, review, monitoring and evaluation through the case management system to achieve a positive person-centred outcome for each supported person in line with Blue Triangle, statutory and legislative requirements.
• You’ll manage staff and others (e.g. students, trainees etc.) where appropriate to meet the objectives of the service, including participation in the recruitment and selection process.
• You’ll manage the service in the absence of the Service Manager.
• You’ll manage staff related systems and procedures such as annual leave, absence management, staff meetings, staffing cover and rotas.
• You’ll assist the Service Manager in all aspects of quality assurance both internal and external, and implementing appropriate action plans.

Is This You?

• You’re passionate about helping people overcome challenges and achieve positive outcomes.
• You have experience of working with vulnerable people and challenging behaviour from personal, voluntary and/or professional experience.
• You believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
• You can build strong relationships and support people to make informed choices about their lives.
• You’re resilient, adaptable and comfortable working both independently and as part of a wider team.
• You have experience in supervising and motivating a team, either in work or informally/outside of a work environment.
• You’re comfortable using person-centred, trauma-informed, and wellbeing-focused approaches.
• You’re experienced using IT systems and Microsoft applications.
• You hold an SVQ level 3 or above, and are willing to work towards an SVQ 4.

To find out more about being an Assistant Service Manager, click the link below:

Assistant Service Manager Role Profile

Your Rewards and Benefits

• Competitive Salary and Pension Options
• Generous annual leave entitlement that increases with length of service
• Double pay for festive bank holidays
• Long service awards and pay progression
• Fully funded SVQ3
• Inhouse training programmes
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• 24/7 access to employee assistance programme, including counselling
• A people-first culture that understands life beyond work, supported by a wide range of family-friendly policies.
• Life Assurance cover of 3 times your salary
• Access to our benefits platform with high street voucher and tech discounts and cycle to work scheme to name a few
• Credit Union, Blue Light Card Membership, Unum Dental Cover Plans, £200 refer a friend scheme and many more!

Ready for a role that is varied, rewarding and full of purpose? If you’re motivated by making a real difference and enjoy work where every day brings new opportunities and challenges, click Apply! below to join our team.

The STAR Centre – Rape Crisis Ayrshire is seeking new members for our Board of Directors who will help guide the future direction of the organisation as we move forward into an exciting new phase of our development. While previous Board experience would be welcomed, it is not necessary. What we are looking for is women, aged 18 and over, who are committed to delivering support to survivors of any form of sexual violence, abuse, or sexual exploitation no matter when this has occurred in their lives.

The role of Director of The STAR Centre is unpaid although relevant expenses are covered.

All posts within The STAR Centre – Rape Crisis Ayrshire are open women only in line with the Equality Act (2010), Schedule 9, Part 1 and the ruling of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, For Women Scotland vs The Scottish Ministers (2025).