We are looking for a relational, child-centred, and resilient leader to join our team, ensuring that children’s rights and quality are at the heart of the Safeguarders Panel. The Safeguarders Panel Team (SPT) recruit, support, provide learning opportunities, manage complaints and monitor Safeguarders. We collaborate with partner agencies and deliver all other operational tasks associated with Safeguarder appointments.

The Safeguarders Panel Team at Children 1st is established as an integral feature of the Children’s Hearing landscape, contracted by the Scottish Government until at least June 2026 (potentially 2028) to manage the national Safeguarders Panel.

In the role of Service Manager, you will work as part of our leadership team, to support, and develop the Safeguarders Panel Team to be the best they can for children and for Safeguarders. The role will require travel to our bases in Edinburgh and Glasgow, to meet in person as a leadership team, therefore it would be preferable for you to be based in the Central Belt. You will have particular responsibility to:

• Deal with feedback and complaints regarding Safeguarders, supporting the panel to develop best practice and ensuring accountability to children, families and partners.
• Lead consultation processes with Safeguarders and partner agencies.

This is an exciting time for SPT, with a changing landscape including the implementation of the Care and Justice Bill and the improvement activity flowing from the Hearings for Children report.

You must have a sound working knowledge of the Children’s Hearing System, be passionate about improving the experience of children in the Children’s Hearing System and be skilled in leading, managing and supporting people through change. Particular experience and/or skills which relate to managing complaints and consultation processes will be valuable. We welcome applicants who are, or have been, Safeguarders. (Current Safeguarders would be required to resign from the Safeguarder Panel but could apply to be reappointed, when leaving this post.)

There will be occasional working out with normal office hours, and potentially travel and overnight stays. Children 1st operates flexible working guidelines to facilitate flexible working within Service needs and you will enjoy a generous annual leave entitlement.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our Family Wellbeing Service in North Ayrshire. Children 1st alongside children, families, and partners provide early help which is easily accessible and non-stigmatising. The team and model of support play a pivotal role in supporting children and families impacted by adversity, ensuring high quality relationships with children and families remain front and centre.

Children 1st along with partners share a determination to act upon the recommendations from The Independent Care Review and deliver The Promise to children and young people. We are also determined that the full incorporation of the UNCRC means that children will have their rights respected in all areas of their lives and will have a real say in the way they are supported. If you share this determination, we would love to hear from you.

Our project builds on the voices of the recovery community, our extensive experience in supporting children and families impacted by substance use in North Ayrshire and enables us to increase our reach to more families who need us. We will do this through providing community-based whole family support that families can access easily in a non-stigmatised way, and at an early stage. This aligns closely with the Promise’s priority areas to provide a good childhood and to provide whole family support to those who need it, when the time is right.

We are looking for a Team Leader to join our leadership team within North Ayrshire. In this position you will play a crucial role in the on-going learning and development of the service and contribute to how we continue to best meet the needs of families across the area. Building relationships and the ability to communicate effectively internally as well as with external partners and agencies is at the heart of everything you will do.

You should have experience of working in a leadership capacity; of offering reflective support and/or supervision to a team of staff/students/volunteers and able to confidently respond to and manage risk.

Families are facing increasing challenges which makes this is a demanding role requiring tenacity, commitment and flexibility. No two days are the same!

If you have a passion for working alongside families, have experience of keeping children safe, are committed to restorative approaches, and have a professional qualification in a relevant area such as Social Work, Teaching or equivalent in Child Care/Social Care or related area, accredited counselling qualification, or other relevant qualification at SCQF level 9 or higher, then we want to hear from you.

Base

You will be based in our North Ayrshire Family Wellbeing Service, Bourtreehill, Irvine.

Wellbeing

Your wellbeing is important to us, we will support you to work in a way that gets the job done but maintains a healthy work life balance. We will provide connection with the rest of the organisation including regular support from the local Service Manager and Assistant Director.

Salary, Conditions, Pension & Benefits

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 7 days public holidays), flexible working opportunities and a contributory pension scheme and a place where you will be supported and valued and work with excellent and kind colleagues.

Additionally, Children 1st offers further staff benefits including a cash-back healthcare plan, membership of a Credit Union and access to a cycle to work scheme.