Aberlour
Aberlour

Charity registered in Scotland SC007991

Scotland's children's charity

 


Current vacancies

Top job! National Disability Lead

  • Full time
  • £51,318 – £55,092
  • Hybrid: supported with a requirement of Scotland wide travel
  • Closing 27th April 2026

About Aberlour …

Aberlour is Scotland’s leading children’s charity and has been recognised as a Top 100 best places to work winner by the Sunday Times.

Our strategy is to be bold and brave, to ensure that every child in Scotland has an equal chance. As an organisation we are ambitious to deliver real and lasting change for children, young people and families.

We have a number of services across Scotland offering residential and short breaks support for children and families affected by disability. We believe children and young people with disabilities, together with their families, should receive care that treats them fairly and values their needs.

We are committed to doing all we can to deliver on Scotland’s Policy aspirations (The Promise, UNCRC) to be the best place to grow up for all children, young people and families.

What we are looking for...

You will play a key role in this new post developing and leading Aberlour’s national strategy for children with disabilities. You will support Aberlour to review and enhance the quality of services, ensure statutory obligations are met, and embed changes in practice development.

This is a specialist post which requires the post holder to apply their professional judgement gained from extensive work and leadership within the field of supporting children, young people and families affected by disabilities. Your experiences in management, coaching and mentoring others and overseeing quality assurance will enable you to give guidance and direction to operational managers.

You will have a deep understanding of disability legislation, SEND statutory duties, safeguarding and equality. You will hold a relevant professional qualification at SCQF level 9 or above.

To find out more about the requirements of the role check out our jobs page on our website.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team, 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, life assurance worth 3x salary and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.

Shortlist

Residential Worker

  • Full time
  • £30,175 – £33,673
  • On site: Fife
  • Closing 14th April 2026

Aberlour is featured in the top 100 Sunday Times big organisations Best Places to Work 2024.

About Aberlour Sycamore Children’s Houses

Aberlour Sycamore Services’ vision is to provide warm, loving homes for children where everyone learns, laughs, grows into their future and is treasured always. At any one time, the residential houses within Sycamore require additional support to help to maintain stability and balance within the teams. Sycamore services are widely recognised in Scotland for providing a range of quality therapeutic residential houses for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the country. The Service is a national resource and as such receives referrals from throughout Scotland.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for individuals who can integrate seamlessly into our existing team, working alongside it and relief adults to support excellent service delivery. We are looking for a Residential Worker to work 37.5 hours per week to work within our home in Glenrothes. You will work as part of a residential rota including early, late, sleepovers and weekend shifts. You will have a knowledge and understanding of the importance of attachment, trauma and how this can impact on an individual’s development. At times our children express their distress through their behaviour and the role can be emotionally and physically challenging; we are therefore looking for someone who is resilient, understands that behaviour is a means of communication and is trauma responsive.

You will be skilled in building therapeutic relationships with the children, young people and young adults to enable them to feel safe, loved and cared for.

You must have the ability to quickly build your relationships with the adults within the house. The nature of the role is such that you could be working to cover a shift or longer periods as required, including days and wakened nightshifts and you may also be supporting young people to attend school or participate in other learning programmes. You must therefore be able to quickly adapt to the working environment within each house.

You will be comfortable with working within Aberlour’s culture embracing respect, integrity, innovation and the ability to challenge. Demonstration of these qualities will be particularly important in this role given that you will be dipping in and out of the different teams. You must be able to be an exceptional role model for other staff and the young person.

Undertaking the role of Residential Worker will afford you the opportunity to develop and build on a range of transferrable skills which are valued in a range of employment. You will be able to demonstrate excellent flexibility and adaptability with exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to work with different teams and different children, young people and young adults living within our Sycamore Houses.

To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here.

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. Please click here to have a look at our Employee Benefits.

Shortlist

Residential Worker

  • Full time
  • £30,175 – £33,673
  • On site: Fife
  • Closing 14th April 2026

About Aberlour Sycamore Children’s Houses

Aberlour Sycamore Services’ vision is to provide warm, loving homes for children where everyone learns, laughs, grows into their future and is treasured always. Sycamore services are widely recognised in Scotland for providing a range of quality therapeutic residential houses for some of the most vulnerable children and young people in the country. The Service is a national resource and as such receives referrals from throughout Scotland.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for an individual who can integrate seamlessly into our existing team, working alongside it and relief adults to support excellent service delivery. We are looking for a Residential Worker to work 37.5 hours per week to work within our home in Dunfermline. You will work as part of a residential rota including early, late, sleepovers and weekend shifts. You will have a knowledge and understanding of the importance of attachment, trauma and how this can impact on an individual’s development. At times our children express their distress through their behaviour and the role can be emotionally and physically challenging; we are therefore looking for someone who is resilient, understands that behaviour is a means of communication and is trauma responsive.

You will be skilled in building therapeutic relationships with the children, young people and young adults to enable them to feel safe, loved and cared for.

You must have the ability to quickly build your relationships with the adults within the house. The nature of the role is such that whilst joining a team for one house, you may be asked to support one of our other homes and you may also be supporting young people to attend school or participate in other learning programmes. You must therefore be able to quickly adapt to the different working environments.

You will be comfortable with working within Aberlour’s culture embracing respect, integrity, innovation and the ability to challenge. You must be able to be an exceptional role model for other staff and the young person.

Undertaking the role of Residential Worker will afford you the opportunity to develop and build on a range of transferrable skills which are valued in a range of employment: you will be able to demonstrate excellent flexibility and adaptability with exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to work with different teams and different children, young people and young adults living within our Sycamore Houses.

To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here

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. At Aberlour we have strong values - Respect, Integrity, Innovation and Challenging - which influence our everyday work. If you choose to apply for this role please tell us about your values in your supporting statement.

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. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity here

Shortlist

Relief Young People's Workers - Options Moray

  • Part time
  • Sessional
  • On site: Moray
  • Closing 15th April 2026

About Options Moray

Aberlour Options Moray is a community-based service for children/young people with learning disabilities offering residential, respite short breaks, family-based care and community support matched with the individual needs of every young person. We have a strong reputation in supporting young people with high levels of complex needs, supporting them to grow, learn and maximise their potential. We feel every child has the right to flourish. Our Young People’s Workers play a fundamental role in ensuring that the young people they work with have the best possible experience in working towards their objectives in line with their care plan, supporting children to progress within their individual outcomes. Whilst not without its challenges and demands, this is a highly rewarding role, where the work we do has a demonstrable impact on each young person's progress. Using a person centred approach you will provide enabling support ensuring the highest level of physical, personal, and emotional care to support children in their daily living and within the local community.

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. Shifts are worked on a residential rota and can be 2pm - 10pm, 7.30am - 2.30pm, 10pm - 7.30am. Within those hours there can be a variety of shifts required, eg 7.30am – 11am or 4.30pm – 8.30pm.

Ideally, you will have experience of direct work with children and families and/or experience of working with children or adults with a learning disability and/or an autism spectrum condition.

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...

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. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity here.

Shortlist

Senior Young People’s Worker

  • Full time
  • £35,103
  • On site: Options Fife – Glenrothes Continuing Care
  • Closing 24th April 2026

Are you committed to delivering best practice to support children and young people with complex needs?

Are you ready to use your experience and skill to shape practice in delivering quality services to children and young people?

Do you feel excited about the opportunity to take your first step towards a management position?

If so, this is a great opportunity for you.

About Aberlour Options Fife – Glenrothes Continuing Care

At Aberlour we listen to understand what our young people want and need within our local area. As such, our Options Fife Continuing Care services in Glenrothes support young people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live and thrive within the local community.

What we are looking for....

As someone who has built up experience working in residential childcare, you will have the confidence to guide and direct the provision of care to the children and young people in the service. You will play a pivotal role, working in partnership with parents and families to meet the emotional and physical needs of children and young people with complex disabilities.

When on shift, you will play a lead role, mentoring and supporting staff and being a role model, delivering excellence in the services we provide. You will assist in assessing, planning and delivering services, taking responsibility for ensuring that assessment and interventions are prepared, monitored and evaluated.

Engaging positively with children, young people and families you will plan and implement appropriate support for the children and young people. Sensitive and accurate reporting is a key responsibility and so you will have good written communication skills and the ability to learn how to use effectively, Aberlour’s recording system: Dynamics.

This role offers the opportunity to consolidate and build on your experience combined with the ability to enhance your skills and knowledge through training, for example, in Dyadic Developmental Practice.

As part of the management team you will play an active role in ensuring that shift duties are delegated and completed in accordance with service guidance.

Senior Young People’s Workers will work a Residential Rota 2.5 x 12.5 hours shift direct care of their role on shift and 0.5 x 12.5 hours of their time working alongside the Service Manager on operational tasks and standardising practice. Overnight sleep ins are part of the role, alongside an awake member of night staff.

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.

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.

Shortlist

Summer Senior Playscheme Workers - Aberlour Options Ayrshire

  • Part time
  • Sessional
  • On site: Prestwick
  • Closing 26th April 2026

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 Summer playscheme programme. Our playscheme runs 5 days per week, Monday to Friday, during the school summer 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 Summer 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 June, 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.

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.

Shortlist

Playscheme Workers - Aberlour Options Ayrshire

  • Part time
  • Sessional
  • On site: Prestwick
  • Closing 26th April 2026

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 Summer 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 Summer 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 June 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.

Shortlist

Summer Senior Activity Support Workers - Options Borders

  • Part time
  • Sessional
  • On site: Hawick, Earlston, Duns, and Peebles.
  • Closing 27th April 2026

About Aberlour Options Borders

Our service works with children and young people affected by complex learning and/or physical disabilities. Our Holiday Activity Club offers children the opportunity to take part in fun activities whilst enabling them to grow and learn. Summer Holiday Activity Clubs take place in Hawick, Earlston, Duns, and Peebles.

What we are looking for....

We are looking to recruit Senior Activity Support Workers to our Summer Activity Club programme.

As a Senior Activity Support 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 Activity Support 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.

You will be passionate about meeting the needs of children and young people and will strive to ensure that a programme of fun-filled activities and outings is available. You will understand the need for, and your responsibility to contribute to, a safe and secure environment.

The work can be physically demanding and includes moving and handling and providing personal care for the children and young people, ensuring that they are kept comfortable.

To allow us to provide a consistent, quality service it is desirable that applicants commit to working between 20 and 35 hours per week throughout the 6 weeks of school summer holidays. Payment is made for the accrual of annual leave and this is explained further in the job pack. There is also the opportunity to be considered for our relief pool for future work in the service.

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.

Prior to commencing, it is mandatory to attend 3 training days, which will take place on 20th – 22nd June, where you will meet the rest of the team and learn about the service.

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.

Shortlist

Summer Activity Support Workers - Options Borders

  • Part time
  • Sessional
  • On site: Hawick, Earlston, Duns, and Peebles.
  • Closing 27th April 2026

About Aberlour Options Borders

Our service works with children and young people affected by complex learning and/or physical disabilities. Our Holiday Activity Club offers children the opportunity to take part in fun activities whilst enabling them to grow and learn. Summer Holiday Activity Clubs take place in Hawick, Earlston, Duns, and Peebles.

What we are looking for....

You will be passionate about meeting the needs of children and young people and will strive to ensure that a programme of fun-filled activities and outings is available. You will understand the need for, and your responsibility to contribute to, a safe and secure environment.

You will have enthusiasm and drive, but also be patient and have a good sense of humour. This type of work can be challenging ideally experience is desirable but it is not essential as training will be provided.

The work can be physically demanding and includes moving and handling and providing personal care for the children and young people, ensuring that they are kept comfortable.

To allow us to provide a consistent, quality service it is desirable that applicants commit to working between 20 and 35 hours per week throughout the 6 weeks of school summer holidays. Payment is made for the accrual of annual leave and this is explained further in the job pack. There is also the opportunity to be considered for our relief pool for future work in the service.

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.

Prior to commencing, it is mandatory to attend 3 training days, which will take place on 20th – 22nd June, where you will meet the rest of the team and learn about the service.

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.

Shortlist

Young People’s Worker – Wakened Nights

  • Part time
  • £30,175 – £33,673 pro-rata
  • On site: Prestwick
  • Closing 3rd May 2026

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

Our Service is a busy respite care unit for children and young people with additional support needs, including complex 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 play scheme.

Based in a quiet, residential street in Prestwick, our disability support service offers 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 who specialise in taking care of children with disabilities. Our service is very much a ‘home from home’ for the children who stay with us there.

What we are looking for...

As a Young People’s Worker you will play a fundamental role in ensuring that the young people you work with have the best possible experience in working towards their objectives, in line with their care plan, supporting children to progress within their individual outcomes. Whilst not without its challenges and demands, this is a highly rewarding role, where the work we do has a demonstrable impact on each young person's progress. Using a person-centred approach, you will provide enabling support ensuring the highest level of physical, personal and emotional care. We support young people who have Epilepsy, need personal care and need gastrostomy feeding. Aberlour, in conjunction with NHS, provide all staff with training.

If you have an interest in working with young people, we would like to hear from you. We are looking for a Young People’s Worker to work Wakened Night Shifts on a part time basis (averaging 30 hours per week). These hours will be worked as part of a two week rolling rota whereby you will work three shifts one week and two shifts the following. Shifts are 11 or 12 hours each.

Ideally, candidates will have social care experience, an understanding of autism, complex needs and disability. You will hold, or be willing to work towards, a relevant professional qualification at SCQF level 7 or above (for example: SVQ 3 in Care plus an HNC) together with relevant experience of working with children or young people. You must also be able to demonstrate awareness of the key elements of working with people affected by disability as well as an understanding of, and commitment to, young people’s rights.

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...

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.

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.

Shortlist