Join Aberlour – Make a Real Difference in Children’s Lives

Are you a dedicated and compassionate leader looking for a role where you can truly make an impact? Aberlour Children’s Charity is seeking a House Manager to lead our Fort William residential service, providing support to vulnerable young people in a nurturing, safe, and inspiring environment.

Our Fort William service, one of our Sycamore services, offers both residential care and a family support program (Sustain Plus), helping children, young people, and families thrive. With the stunning backdrop of Ben Nevis and access to an active outdoor lifestyle, this is a unique opportunity to grow professionally while enjoying a fantastic quality of life in the Scottish Highlands.

Why Join Aberlour?

• Be part of Scotland’s largest solely Scottish children’s charity, recently recognised as a Top 100 Employer by The Sunday Times.
• Lead a highly motivated and supportive team, making a real difference in children’s lives every day.
• Enjoy a healthy work-life balance in a spectacular location with a strong sense of community.
• Enjoy up to 40 days annual leave, an enhanced pension scheme, life assurance, family-friendly policies and if needed, relocation support.

The Role

As House Manager, you will:

• Provide leadership and direction to staff, ensuring the highest standard of care for young people.
• Promote a nurturing and supportive environment where children feel safe and empowered.
• Oversee the day-to-day management of the house, ensuring compliance with national standards.
• Support staff development, fostering a culture of teamwork and professional growth.
• Build strong partnerships with local agencies, families, and community groups.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

• A relevant professional qualification at SCQF level 9 or above and a management qualification at SCQF level 8 or above (or willingness to work towards)
• Experience in residential childcare and team leadership
• A passion for supporting vulnerable children and families
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• A commitment to Aberlour’s values of respect, integrity, innovation, and challenge.

Life in Fort William

Fort William is a vibrant town with a strong community spirit, excellent local amenities, and an outdoor lifestyle like no other. Whether you enjoy hiking, cycling, or simply immersing yourself in the beauty of the Highlands, this is an incredible place to live and work.

About Aberlour Options Borders

At Aberlour Options Borders we provide a range of support services for young people up to the age of 18 years who have various disabilities. Our aim is to provide families with a short break from their caring role through the provision of high-quality child-centred services which provide a positive experience for the young people we work with.

We have a strong reputation for supporting young people with high levels of complex needs, supporting them to grow, learn and maximise their potential. We believe that 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. 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....

We have an opening for two Young People’s Worker on a permanent basis. Usual hours would be around 23 per week during term time for 42 weeks of the year and 35 hours per week for 10 weeks of the year (school holidays). Working an average of 25.30 hours per week per year. Hours are worked between 3pm and 10pm on weekdays. Weekends open full time, hours worked between 12pm Friday and 5pm Sunday. Holiday weeks are full time and shifts can be around the clock. You will be part of a residential respite rota which will require you to work days, evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. There will be a requirement to do sleepover shifts and these will be paid at £67 per sleepover.

Shift patterns vary. For 10 weeks of the year (during school holidays), shifts are available around the clock. Standard shifts would be 8.00am - 4.15pm or 4.00pm - 10.00pm. Sleepovers are also a part of this. For 42 weeks of the year, we work on a pattern of Wed-Sunday one week and Friday to Sunday the following week. Wednesday - Friday is afternoons and evenings. Standard weekend shifts are 8.00am - 4.15pm or 4.00pm - 10pm. Sleepovers are also a part of this.

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.

A Day in the Life of a Young People’s Worker

Our day usually starts around 7.30am with the morning routine. We support our young people to get ready for their day ahead assisting with all aspects of personal hygiene. We then prepare breakfast and medications for each of our young people and organise the day’s activities. We plan mornings out, considering the health and safety requirements for each activity we undertake. After lunch we prepare an in-house activity. This also allows staff to complete daily paperwork such as weekend logs for our young people, updating care plans and review reports etc. In the evening we

cook a healthy dinner considering our knowledge of our young peoples’ likes and dislikes and particularly if they have restricted diets.

"Aberlour Options provide a safe, fun and homely environment for respite for our son. He loves going to stay and asks daily when his next visit is" Parent

"Aberlour treat me like part of the family" Young Person

If you have an interest in working with young people we would like to hear from you. Ideally, candidates will have social care experience, an understanding of autism, complex needs and mental health and have the relevant qualifications or will be willing to work towards these. Ideally, we are looking for candidates with a full clean driving licence.

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 want to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people with a learning disability and or Autism?

We have an exciting opportunity for a family focused, warm friendly, resourceful and empathetic individual to join our newly extended Disability Service as a Family Worker.

About Options Ayrshire

Options Ayrshire 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. 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.

We are excited to announce that we are extending our Options Ayrshire Service to include a family service. This new service, where this post will be based, will be working with families either in their own homes or out in the community to support with both emotional and practical help.

What we are looking for....

As a Family Worker, you will offer emotional and direct practical help to families experiencing short- or long-term challenges. You will work with families; identifying areas where support is required, working with them to co-produce a family support plan which will be individually tailored to their child’s and family’s needs. You will agree outcomes and personal goals within the child’s plan.

The role of the Family Worker will be diverse and wide ranging and will include the following:

• Promote and develop healthy routines, including sleep.
• Provide practical support with personal care.
• Support the development of play routines.
• Support parents to address difficulties and reduce risks.
• Build upon parents existing knowledge and equip them with enabling strategies and tools.
• Support families to have positive and rewarding relationships.
• Support families to implement structure, identify triggers and understand the function and purpose of their child’s behaviour and reduce challenges from escalating.

Along with families, liaise and work with partners and colleagues from Social Work, Health and Education to assess, review and evaluate progress.

You will have experience of supporting children and families with a learning disability and Autism. You will have up-to-date knowledge of best practice and supporting tools and interventions.

You will manage your own diary, and your hours will be 20 per week, worked flexibly between 7am and 10pm, Monday to Sunday. The days and hours worked will be agreed with families within the family support plan. There may also occasionally be a need to provide additional support out with these times and to be able to respond to crises and family stress.

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

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...

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 across all services to cover sickness, training, planned and unplanned leave as well as during busy periods such as school holidays. 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.

“Aberlour has helped me to “learn how to be a Mum again, how to listen and regulate my emotions and support my children to do the same.” - Parent

About Aberlour Family Matters South Ayrshire

Aberlour Family Matters works in partnership with South Ayrshire Council and offers support to mums and dads who have had children permanently removed from their care. You will offer individual and group support alongside relationship based and strengths focused whole family support where appropriate. You will also work with South Ayrshire Council partners to ensure the voices and experiences of parents, carers and practitioners can help support the ongoing improvement of the permanence process. The project has been funded by Scottish Government since April 2022.

You will build up relationships with families facing disadvantage and work together with them to assess their strengths and needs and deliver an agreed family plan, offering emotional and practical support. You will work individually and in groups to strengthen health and wellbeing, building esteem, skills and confidence.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for a kind, committed and experienced individuals to join our team.

You will have experience in working alongside partner services and families who have often experienced the impact of trauma, poverty, and social exclusion. You will have good listening skills and be able to plan, deliver and evaluate a range of family and wellbeing support strategies which help families to their own solutions. You will have experience of child and adult protection issues. Your values should be aligned with The Promise, GIRFEC and UNCRC as well as Aberlour values. You must share our vision that collaborative working, relationship based, strengths focussed early intervention is the best option for children and families who are feeling overwhelmed or excluded.

We have one role available at 30 hours per week. These hours will be planned and worked flexibly Monday - Sunday, 7am - 10pm, to meet the needs of families we support. This post is currently funded until 31st March 2026, however we will be actively seeking funding to extend this further.

It would be helpful if candidates hold a valid driver’s licence and have use of a car for working hours, the role will cover the whole of South Ayrshire.

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.

“Aberlour has helped me to “learn how to be a Mum again, how to listen and regulate my emotions and support my children to do the same.” - Parent

About Aberlour Family Matters South Ayrshire

Aberlour Family Matters works in partnership with South Ayrshire Council and offers support to mums and dads who have had children permanently removed from their care. You will offer individual and group support alongside relationship based and strengths focused whole family support where appropriate. You will also work with South Ayrshire Council partners to ensure the voices and experiences of parents, carers and practitioners can help support the ongoing improvement of the permanence process. The project has been funded by Scottish Government since April 2022.

You will build up relationships with families facing disadvantage and work together with them to assess their strengths and needs and deliver an agreed family plan, offering emotional and practical support. You will work individually and in groups to strengthen health and wellbeing, building esteem, skills and confidence.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for a kind, committed and experienced individuals to join our team.

You will have experience in working alongside partner services and families who have often experienced the impact of trauma, poverty, and social exclusion. You will have good listening skills and be able to plan, deliver and evaluate a range of family and wellbeing support strategies which help families to their own solutions. You will have experience of child and adult protection issues. Your values should be aligned with The Promise, GIRFEC and UNCRC as well as Aberlour values. You must share our vision that collaborative working, relationship based, strengths focussed early intervention is the best option for children and families who are feeling overwhelmed or excluded.

We have two roles available at 15 hours per week. These hours will be planned and worked flexibly Monday – Sunday, 7am - 10pm, to meet the needs of families we support. These posts are currently funded until 31st March 2026, however we will be actively seeking funding to extend this further.

It would be helpful if candidates hold a valid driver’s licence and have use of a car for working hours, the role will cover the whole of South Ayrshire.

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.

“The best way we can help a new baby is to ensure that their parent’s needs are met and their trauma attended to” - Dr Bruce Perry (2020)

About Forth Valley Perinatal Service

Aberlour has always seen the benefit of early intervention and are pleased to have received funding from Scottish Government for a Service Manager and 4 new posts to work across Forth Valley supporting new parents pre and post birth. By working alongside new parents, we aim to facilitate recovery from problematic substance use and improve parenting capacity and confidence to positively impact on the outcomes for both parents and their new babies.

The service will work across 7 days per week operating within the hours of 8am to 8pm to flexibly meet the needs of the parents and families being supported. The work will cover prebirth to baby's first birthday offering strength based whole family support.

What we are looking for....

We are seeking to recruit four Intensive Perinatal Support Workers, each working 37.5 hours per week. Initial funding from Scottish Government is secured until March 2026, however with successful outcomes we are hopeful that this specialised work would be extended further. We are looking for candidates with a sound knowledge of child development and experience of working with individuals with problematic substance and/or alcohol use.

We encourage people to apply who have lived experience of alcohol or drug use, with a minimum of 2 years living in recovery, free from all drug use and problem drinking.

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. Aberlours values are critical and drive everything we do. We will be looking for someone who can demonstrate how Aberlours values of Respect, Innovation, Integrity and Challenge will be visible in their practice. You must be comfortable working in an environment where Aberlours 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.

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 15 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.

Find out more information on what we are looking for in candidates 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. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here

Prior to commencing, it is mandatory to attend 3 training days on Friday 13th, Saturday 14th, and Sunday 15th 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. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity here.

“The best way we can help a new baby is to ensure that their parent’s needs are met and their trauma attended to” - Dr Bruce Perry (2020)

About Tayside Perinatal Service

Aberlour has always seen the benefit of early intervention and are pleased to have received funding from Scottish Government for a Service Manager and 4 new posts to work across Tayside supporting new parents pre and post birth. By working alongside new parents, we aim to facilitate recovery from problematic substance use and improve parenting capacity and confidence to positively impact on the outcomes for both parents and their new babies.

The service will work across 7 days per week operating within the hours of 8am to 8pm to flexibly meet the needs of the parents and families being supported. The work will cover prebirth to baby’s first birthday offering strength based whole family support.

What we are looking for....

We are seeking to recruit four Intensive Perinatal Support Workers, each working 37.5 hours per week. Initial funding from Scottish Government is secured until March 2026. Two of the posts will be based in Perth and Kinross, one in Dundee and one in Angus. We are looking for candidates with a sound knowledge of child development and experience of working with individuals with problematic substance and/or alcohol use.

We encourage people to apply who have lived experience of alcohol or drug use, with a minimum of 2 years living in recovery, free from all drug use and problem drinking.

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.