Jobs in Preston, Seton and Gosford, East Lothian

Aberlour Options Lothian, Prestonpans

Aberlour Options Lothian offers a range of short break services to children and young people with complex needs. We offer a safe, homely environment for a child to come and stay for a short break that gives their families a rest from their caring role. During that break, children enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with our staff. Our service is very much a ‘home from home’ for the children who stay with us. We are within easy commuting distance of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian with access via the number 26, 111 and 124 bus routes.

The difference we make to families:

“It’s not easy to accept that sometimes you need help. We had reached rock bottom, but Aberlour Options Lothian was that lifesaving buoyancy aid.

It wasn't easy accepting leaving my son there especially in the early days when it was new to everyone. It is a safe and welcoming place and a second home in many respects now. Somewhere he is safe, cared for and has loads of fun with the carers and other children.

It’s not just about respite; we have received help with managing behaviour, preparing for hospital visits and operations. Help and advice when there seemed to be no one else listening or who understands. It’s hard to look back to where we were but no we wouldn't be here today without their help and support.

To sum it up: Saved our lives. Peace of mind. Finally a rest.”

What we are looking for....

Our relief workers play a crucial role in supporting our team. This work is offered on a casual, hourly paid basis to provide cover during staff absence and/or particularly busy periods. Availability should be specified on your application form. As part of a small team, you will ensure that the highest level of physical and emotional care is provided to the children and young people. Experience in this type of work is preferred however we will consider all applications. The service opens Wednesday’s afterschool and from Friday 11am to Monday 12pm. As such, the requirement is to work mainly weekends. Shifts at weekends are 8am - 8pm or 12pm - 10pm and include sleepovers and wakened night shifts.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here.

What we offer...

You will receive a planned and supported induction consisting of a varied training programme, including Child Protection. You will be working alongside a highly motivated and skilled team. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity on our website.

Aberlour is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our service users and uses a thorough and rigorous recruitment and selection process including PVG Scheme checks to ensure this commitment is not compromised.

Blindwells lies just off the A1 near to Tranent.

The developer Hargreaves has been working on site with East Lothian Council since 2017 and around 500 houses have been completed, both social & private housing. There is however outline planning permission for many more houses over the next twenty years.

The High Street is scheduled for construction and there will be two other schools. It is intended that the Church be a key community partner and part of the long term infrastructure.

Background to this post

The local churches have, led by the local Church of Scotland churches, been engaged in welcoming new residents to Blindwells for the past three years.

The opening of the first Primary school marks an important moment in the life of this fledgling new community. With space for community development now is the time to move from providing occasional gatherings to a more day to day working on the ground with residents.

The vision is for the establishment of a new Christian community that emerges from the local context. It is intended that this community will be ecumenical and will be at the heart of the Blindwells community.

Although initiated and led by the Church of Scotland applications are encouraged widely and an ecumenical advisory group has been formed.

Purpose of Post:

To lead the planning and implementation of Lothian & Borders Presbytery’s vision to develop Christian witness and ministry in the new settlement of Blindwells.

Main Duties :

• Developing the existing work by the local churches and to develop & initiate plans for establishing a new Christian community
• Reaching out and engage with children & families in Blindwells to start new community groups
• Building relationships with and engagement in local schools.
• Recruiting & building voluntary teams to be part of this work
• Overseeing all safeguarding & to lead training of this work
• Liasing with other local bodies, site developers, construction workers
• Work closely with the Blindwells Beacon Leadership team & the Local advisory group
• To communicate to Presbytery regularly and to share good practice with regard to mission with partner churches
• To undertake any other duties as reasonably required by the Line Manager