Jobs in South Ayrshire

Post 1: Project Officer, Literacy Champions – North East Scotland

You will need to live in or around Aberdeenshire, and have an excellent understanding of the communities and families in the area

Post 2: Project Officer, Literacy Champions – West Scotland

You will need to live in or around Glasgow or Ayr, and have an excellent understanding of the communities and families in the area.

We empower people with the literacy skills they need to succeed in life. Together we're helping people change their stories. You could join us to help mobilise thousands of local volunteers in support of 2026 National Year of Reading.

What you’ll be doing

2026 will be a National Year of Reading, a once-in-a-generation, UK-wide campaign to engage new audiences in reading and change the national reading culture for good. The National Literacy Trust will lead, develop and coordinate the National Year of Reading, ensuring a powerful and engaging national campaign which redefines reading for a new generation.

A core part of our plans is to mobilise thousands of volunteers across the UK, including through our own Literacy Champions project, which identifies, trains and supports volunteers to promote literacy in their local area. This may be in person or online and includes everything from community book-swaps and reading corners, to setting up homework clubs and creating videos. Some of those volunteers are Lead Literacy Champions – volunteers who take on a planning and coordination role working with others.

Through the National Year of Reading, we want to expand the number of Lead Literacy Champions – who in turn will engage other volunteers through their networks and connections. You will coordinate this work across north east Scotland, with a focus on the Aberdeenshire area. You will identify and engage existing groups of volunteers and suitable organisations, providing training so they can become Lead Literacy Champions.

This is an opportunity to build a new network of volunteers promoting reading and enhancing the many offers and opportunities in Scotland.

These are home-working roles and will involve regular travel around your area. There will also be some national travel – for our organisational away days, which take place in London three times per year, as well as approximately three team days per year. All travel expenses will be covered.

What we’re looking for

You will be experienced in recruiting, training and supporting volunteers, and providing project support in a charity or educational context. You will also have experience of working with early years settings, schools or community organisations, and good knowledge of safeguarding practice in this context.

Experience of community mobilisation, and developing resources and training materials, would be an advantage, as would an excellent knowledge of literacy issues.

Due to the nature of delivery, you will need a full clean driving license and access to your own vehicle. You will also need to be able to manage physical aspects of the role, including managing book stocks and other resources.

Why our work is so vital

Literacy changes everything.

It gives you the tools to get the most out of life, and the power to shape your future. It’s the key to knowledge, confidence and inspiration. It’s better results at school, and better jobs. If children grow up without the tools to communicate, without books to read or opportunities to write, it’s harder to get where you want to go.

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity helping people overcome these challenges and change their life chances through the power of words – reading, writing, speaking and listening. From first words, through school days to training, jobs and beyond.

• We work collaboratively in local communities, focusing our work in 20 areas of the UK that are facing the biggest challenges.

• We support schools, developing the most effective tools and techniques and providing resources and programmes to engage and inspire children.

• We campaign to make literacy a priority for politicians and decision-makers.

• We support vulnerable adults, people in the criminal justice system and young offenders’ institutions to build their literacy skills

What we offer you

Our team are passionate about our mission and we have a strong and positive working culture, based on shared values and respect. We offer a range of flexible working options and promote a workplace where you can be yourself and contribute to our success, whoever you are.

As well as a competitive salary, we offer benefits including a generous leave allowance totalling 39 days (including bank holidays and office closure between Christmas and New Year), pension contributions of 8% of annual salary, a cycle to work scheme, employee assistance programme and other health and wellbeing benefits.

The best thing about working for Aberlour is making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families.

About Options Ayrshire

Our Service is a busy respite service for children and young people with complex health needs, including severe learning and physical disabilities. As well as providing short residential breaks, the service offers outreach to families and is also involved in the managing and running of an after-school club as well as a busy Easter and summer playscheme.

What we are looking for....

We are looking to recruit to our Easter playscheme programme. Our playscheme runs 5 days per week, Monday to Friday, during the school holidays. You will work flexible hours as part of a team providing a programme of fun-filled activities and outings as well as supporting young people with aspects of personal care. Some previous experience in this area is preferred. Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and work hard are essential. To allow us to provide a consistent, quality service it is desirable that applicants commit to working up to 5 days per week during the Easter school holidays for a minimum of 12 hours per week. There will be an opportunity to work additional hours up to full time hours. Days will be given in advance. Our playschemes run in both Ayr and Girvan and staff may be expected to work at both sites. Mandatory training dates for staff will be arranged during February and March before commencement of the playscheme.

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. Aberlour’s values are critical and drive everything we do. We will be looking for someone who can demonstrate how Aberlour’s values of Respect, Innovation, Integrity and Challenge will be visible in their practice. You must be comfortable working in an environment where Aberlour’s values are lived in practice. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees please go to our website.

What we offer...

You will receive a planned and supported induction consisting of a varied training programme. 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.

The best thing about working for Aberlour is making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families.

About Options Ayrshire

Our Service is a busy respite service for children and young people with complex health needs, including severe learning and physical disabilities. As well as providing short residential breaks, the service offers outreach to families and is also involved in the managing and running of an after-school club as well as a busy Easter and summer playscheme.

What we are looking for....

We are looking to recruit Senior Playscheme Workers to our Easter playscheme programme. Our playscheme runs 5 days per week, Monday to Friday, during the school holidays.

As a Senior Playscheme Worker you will work flexible hours to assist in developing and planning the fun-filled activities and outings, in keeping with the interests and abilities of the young people and ensuring its successful delivery by overseeing the work of the Playscheme Workers. You will play a key role in ensuring a safe environment for young people and staff by following care plans and support strategies, as well as observing and working in accordance with Aberlour Policies and Procedures. Previous experience in this area of work is essential.

To allow us to provide a consistent, quality service it is desirable that applicants commit to working up to 5 days per week during the Easter school holidays for a minimum of 12 hours per week. There will be an opportunity to work additional hours up to full time hours. Days will be given in advance. Our playschemes run in both Ayr and Girvan and staff may be expected to work at both sites. Mandatory training dates for staff will be arranged during February and March before commencement of the playscheme.

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. Aberlour’s values are critical and drive everything we do. We will be looking for someone who can demonstrate how Aberlour’s values of Respect, Innovation, Integrity and Challenge will be visible in their practice. You must be comfortable working in an environment where Aberlour’s values are lived in practice. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees please go to our website.

What we offer...

You will receive a planned and supported induction consisting of a varied training programme. 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.

Are you passionate about working with young people with additional support needs?

Do you want to make a difference to their lives?

Do you have relevant experience of working with them?

About Options Ayrshire

In addition to us having a short residential breaks service, our Out of School Club is based within 3 bases throughout South Ayrshire, however your main base will be Mosshill Industrial Estate.

We offer a safe, nurturing and explorative environment for young people to come and play either after school or on a Saturday morning that gives their families and/or carers a rest from their caring role. During that break, children enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with our staff who specialise in taking care of children with additional support needs. In addition to this, we run a busy Easter and summer Holiday Activity Club.

What we are looking for...

We are looking for someone who will contribute to the leadership, management and development of services for children, young people and their families in line with agreed objectives and assist with service review and evaluation.

You will have relevant experience of working with children and young people with a disability and/or autism in a community or residential setting and understand the impact of disability on inclusion. You are required to meet the qualifications requirement for this post which is at SCQF Level 8 (e.g. SVQ Level 4). This post requires you to register with the Scottish Social Services Council as a Day Care of Children Worker with Supervisory Responsibilities.

There is an expectation that you will split your hours between management time, and being on shift, offering direct support to the young people, which includes working evenings, weekends and public holidays.

Shifts are typically Tuesday – Friday, 2.30pm – 6.15pm, and 9.30am – 1.30pm on Saturdays.

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.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.

Do you have relevant experience of working with children and young people with a disability/and or autism or relevant experience in a similar sector or work environment?

About Options Ayrshire

In addition to us having a short residential breaks service, our Out of School Club is based within 2 bases throughout South Ayrshire.

We offer a safe, nurturing and explorative environment for young people to come and play either after school or on a Saturday morning that gives their families and/or carers a rest from their caring role. During that break, children enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with our staff who specialise in taking care of children with additional support needs. In addition to this, we run a busy Easter and summer Holiday Activity Club.

What we are looking for...

We have a requirement to increase our Relief Pool, the work of which is offered on a casual, hourly paid basis. Relief staff are needed at short notice to cover sickness, training, planned and unplanned leave as well as during busy periods such as school holidays. We are particularly looking for individuals who are available to work shifts on Saturdays between 9.45am and 1.30pm. We understand that applicants may have a number of other commitments, but the ability to respond at short notice is an essential part of being a relief member of staff.

Ideally, candidates will have social care experience, an understanding of autism, complex needs and disability. You will be required to be on the SSSC Residential Child Care Worker and Day Care of Children registers and meet, or be prepared to gain, the qualifications requirements for this category which is at SCQF level 6 (for example, SVQ Level 3 or HNC).

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. Aberlour’s values are critical and drive everything we do. We will be looking for someone who can demonstrate how Aberlour’s values of Respect, Innovation, Integrity and Challenge will be visible in their practice.

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. Applications are welcome from diverse ethnic minority and cultural communities, and under-represented faith and religious groups.