Barnardo's Scotland
Barnardo's Scotland

Charity registered in Scotland SC037605

At Barnardo's we believe in children. Our purpose is to transform the lives of the UK's most vulnerable children and our vision is to realise Thomas Barnardo's dream of a world where no child is turned away from the help that they need We are proud to hold the LGBT Youth Scotland Foundation level Charter Award as a mark of our inclusive practice.

Current vacancies

National Advisory Board Member

  • Management Board
  • Unpaid
  • On site: Scotland
  • Closing 14th April 2026

About Barnardo's Scotland

We're here to help children, young people and their families across Scotland feel safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.

At Barnardo's we believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through.

For over 150 years, we've been here for children and young people who need us most – bringing love, care and hope into their lives and giving them a place where they feel they belong. We are here because too many children and young people across the UK are missing out on a good childhood, and on the opportunity to thrive when they become adults.

We'll continue to be here for as long as we're needed – working with children and young people to be safe, happy, healthy and hopeful.

We will never, ever give up on the things that matter to them - and we'll do everything we can to give them a place where they feel like they belong.

In everything we do, we work with children and young people to be safer, happier, healthier and more hopeful.

Safer: So children at risk of harm are better protected.

Happier: So children struggling with their wellbeing can access support and feel they belong.

Healthier: So children growing up with disadvantage can experience good physical and mental health.

More hopeful: So children experiencing challenges can move into adulthood with hope and confidence.

We're determined to make this happen.

Central to how we work are our four values:

  • Inclusive: Respecting the unique worth of every person
  • Supportive: Encouraging people to fulfil their potential
  • Accountable: Encouraging responsible Stewardship
  • Positive: Working with hope

About the role

The National Advisory Board (NAB) maximises Barnardo's Scotland's ability to change children's lives in Scotland by providing strategic support and advice to the national executive and bringing their individual and collective skills, experience and networks to bear where opportunities present.

We are looking to add up to 3 people to our existing board with at least one new member who is aged between 18-25 and who may be in formal education, in work or training. We are committed to offering appropriate support in what may well be the first role of this type for the successful candidate(s).

Key activities

Providing targeted strategic support and advice to the national executive across the following areas in the national setting:

  • implementation of Barnardo's corporate strategy
  • engagement with key external stakeholders
  • visiting our services and service users
  • fundraising activities
  • acting as ambassadors generally and on specific matters on request

Identifying opportunities to raise Barnardo's profile and increase its influence among its key stakeholders;

Engaging with the CEO and Trustees in key areas including:

  • key opportunities, risks or challenges requiring top level support;
  • major planned updates to the corporate strategy.

What we're looking for

Passion for the work of the charity, a willingness to commit time and ideally lived experience that is relevant to the charity's activities.

Candidates should be resident in Scotland, be able to demonstrate they work well as part of a team and be able to use skilful questions to build their understanding.

We are looking to add to our existing board with at least one member who is aged between 18-25 and who may be in formal education, in work or training. We are committed to offering appropriate support in what may well be the first role of this type for the successful person. This is part of our commitment to ensure that our board includes people with recent lived experience and/or awareness of some of the services and support the charity provides.

What we're asking of you

  • The NAB meets formally four times a year, sometimes in person (usually in person in Edinburgh or Glasgow) and sometimes virtually.
  • There will be likely one or two additional formal meetings involving other colleagues from across Barnardo's to which NAB members would be invited
  • Uphold the Barnardo's Values and always act in accordance with Barnardo's Safeguarding Code of Conduct

What we're offering to you

We will offer support throughout the process, from recruitment to onboarding and then in ensuring a successful term of office in the role.

For our successful candidate(s) earlier in their education and professional journey, we will offer enhanced support for you to build knowledge of being part of an organisational board including an individual mentor for your development.

If you are interested in the role please send your CV to lynne.stevenson@barnardos.org.uk

About Barnardo's

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Our basis and values

Shortlist

Project Worker

  • Full time
  • £25,492 – £29,755
  • On site: Renfrewshire
  • Closing 22nd April 2026

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a passionate and experienced team whose aim is to empower families and young people aged 16-26 across Renfrewshire. We are a support service for families and young people based in Renfrewshire and we are seeking a Project Worker that is developing their experience of supporting children, families and young people on a group work and 1-1 basis. There is a requirement for flexibility, which may include evenings and occasional weekend working to meet the needs of children, young people and families.

As a Project Worker you will hold a caseload and meet with young people and families on a regular basis. You will be required to identify the young person/ families needs and provide guidance and support based on those needs. You will undertake multi agency work, liaising with other organisations and stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes for children, young people and families.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay.

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.

Benefits

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.

  • Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
  • Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
  • The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
  • A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
  • Service related sick pay from day 1
  • Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
  • Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
  • Cycle2work scheme
  • Interest free season ticket loans
  • Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
  • 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
  • Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
  • Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
  • Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Barnardo's

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Our basis and values

Shortlist