A fantastic opportunity to come and join the Children First team in Midlothian

Children First’s ambition is for every child in Scotland to be safe, loved and well with their family. As a charity we offer emotional, practical, and financial support to help families to put children first and campaign to uphold the rights of every child.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our team in Midlothian who are funded to support families experiencing challenges relating to parental substance use, poverty, poor mental health and trauma amongst other factors. In addition, we support Kinship carers and the children and young people in their care. You will join a team offering both whole family and individual supports, where systemic and relational approaches underpin the work we do. We offer peer led groups and connections through community supports also.

If you have experience of working within child protection processes, are committed to restorative approaches, meaningfully involving children and families, and have a professional qualification in a relevant area such as Social Work, Teaching or equivalent in Childcare/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.

Children First are 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.

What kind of people are we looking for?

• have experience of keeping children safe in their own families
• are fiercely passionate about children’s rights
• thinks it’s a privilege to work with and on behalf of children and families and,
• are kind and will bring their whole selves to the job: heart and mind

What kind of team member will you be?

Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• resilient, skilled and knowledgeable who wants to transform children’s lives
• determined to support children to stay safely with their own family
• big hearted and courageous
• able to build strong relationships and to manage the tricky conversations
• is compassionate and understanding of trauma
• a cool head and clear minded at times of pressure
• inspiring colleagues and teams to be even better
• an amazing ambassador for children and Children First

Above all else, the most important thing to us is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children and their families at every turn.

Do you want to create a safer, brighter future for all children in Scotland?

Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity, is seeking to appoint a Support line Service Manager. By joining our team, you will help us stand up for children, keep them safe and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services.

The role

Based in Edinburgh, with hybrid working an option, the role involves leading on the day-to-day implementation, management, development and growth of our free confidential support line for families, carers and professionals in Scotland.

Today’s generation are facing unprecedented challenges. From mental health, money worries and online harm, to struggles at school, our support line can offer emotional, practical and financial support to any family in Scotland. We also offer advice to anyone who is concerned about a child’s wellbeing.

Taking a child-centred approach, you will work to ensure the safety of children and young people by protecting and promoting their rights.

What we are looking for

You will be an inspiring leader and will possess a degree or diploma in social work, or equivalent professional qualification at SCQF level 9, in addition to recent significant experience in a relevant practice area relating to young people.

What you can expect from us

As well as a rewarding career and development opportunities, we offer 40 days annual leave per year pro rata, a contributory pension scheme, generous maternity/adoption and paternity leave, flexible working opportunities and wellbeing support.

With a supportive and inclusive working environment, the salary for this role is £42,500 - £48,900 per annum.

Our Values

Living our values, you will make a direct impact to the lives of children across Scotland. With love, we put children first. With purpose, we transform children’s lives together. With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.

Do you want to create a safer, brighter future for all children in Scotland? Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity, is seeking to appoint a Support Line Coordinator. By joining our team, you will help us stand up for children, keep them safe and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services.

The Role

Based in Edinburgh, with hybrid working an option, the role involves offering expert care, guidance and support for families, carers and professionals in Scotland. Delivering high quality information and support in a timely manner to enable you to handle a large volume of inbound and outbound calls. You will be required to maintain accurate records that inform the charity and support with service development and meeting our organisational strategy. Today’s generation are facing unprecedented challenges. From mental health, money worries and online harm, to struggles at school, our support line can offer emotional, practical and financial support to any family in Scotland. We also offer advice to anyone who is concerned about a child’s wellbeing. Taking a child-centred approach, you will work to ensure the safety of children and young people by protecting and promoting their rights.

What we are looking for

You will possess a diploma in social work, or a relevant professional qualification (e.g. Health, Education, Community Education) at SCQF level 9, post-qualifying award in child protection, childcare, practice teaching, group work, family work, or counselling. You will have experience managing or supervising staff, volunteers, and students with experience of project planning and an ability to identify and manage risks.

What you can expect from us

As well as a rewarding career and development opportunities, we offer 40 days annual leave per year pro rata, a contributory pension scheme, generous maternity/adoption and paternity leave, flexible working opportunities and wellbeing support. With a supportive and inclusive working environment, the salary for this role is £29,500 - £34,490 per annum.

Our values

Living our values, you will make a direct impact to the lives of children across Scotland. With love, we put children first. With purpose, we transform children’s lives together. With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.

Do you want to create a safer, brighter future for all children in Scotland?

Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity, is seeking to appoint a Bairns Hoose Rights, Advocacy and Trauma Recovery Worker. By joining our team, you will help us stand up for children, keep them safe and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services.

The role

Children First Bairns Hoose is based on the European Barnahus model, designed to deliver a child-friendly, multidisciplinary, and interagency model of justice, care and recovery for children who are victims and witnesses of all forms of violence. Children receive a coordinated trauma responsive plan to support their journey through the care, protection, and justice system.

This post is based in Aberdeen City. You will join an experienced and skilled team supporting children, young people, parents and families who have experienced trauma. The service provides a wide range of recovery focussed support for children and families who have witnessed, been impacted by, or experienced abuse – including physical and emotional abuse, domestic violence, and sexual abuse.

Taking a child-centred approach, you will work to ensure the safety of children and young people by protecting and promoting their rights. Providing professional, high quality, trauma sensitive and responsive recovery focused support for the children, young people, and their families following trauma. Ensuring that the therapeutic recovery support for children, young people and their families within the Bairns Hoose Team achieves the desired outcomes in relation to care, protection and justice, in particular preventing re-traumatisation, supporting and facilitating recovery and upholding the rights of the child.

What we are looking for

You will be an inspiring leader and will possess a degree or diploma in social work, or equivalent professional qualification at SCQF level 9, in addition to recent significant experience in a relevant practice area relating to young people.

What you can expect from us

As well as a rewarding career and development opportunities, we offer 40 days annual leave per year pro rata, a contributory pension scheme, generous maternity/adoption and paternity leave, flexible working opportunities and wellbeing support.

With a supportive and inclusive working environment, the salary for this role is £35,850 -£41,150 per annum.

Our values

Living our values, you will make a direct impact to the lives of children across Scotland. With love, we put children first. With purpose, we transform children’s lives together. With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.