COVEY Befriending
COVEY Befriending

Charity registered in Scotland SC020754

COVEY has been supporting vulnerable young people in South Lanarkshire for 22 years through volunteer befriending


Current vacancies

Family Support Worker (Children, Young People and Parents/Carers)

  • Full time
  • £25,029 – £30,708
  • Hybrid: Hamilton
  • Closing 10th April 2026

Community Volunteers Enabling You (COVEY) has operated across Lanarkshire for 30+ years supporting 5,000 children, young people and parents/carers to become more resilient, safe and better equipped to reach their full potential. COVEY provides 1-1 and group-based befriending, mentoring and family support.

COVEY is seeking a passionate, professional and proactive individual to provide support to families who are experiencing difficulties or challenges in their everyday lives such as isolation, mental and physical health problems, disability, poverty and trauma. This involves direct work with children, young people, parents/carers and whole families via 1-1 intervention/support and group-based mentoring.

The successful candidate will provide person centred, relationship-based support to children, young people and parents/carers to help them identify and address short-term needs (strengthening confidence, wellbeing and family/community relationships) and support long-term aspirations into positive destinations. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate with experienced professionals, manage complex cases, and support volunteer mentors. If you have a strong background in family support and are driven by our mission to create positive change, apply today and help families thrive.

What we’re looking for:

  • HNC/SVQ 3 Level in Health and Social Care Services, Social Services, Community Development, Youth Work, or equivalent. Relevant experience and skills may substitute formal qualifications.
  • Experience in assessing and supporting individuals with complex needs, including children, young people, adults, and carers.
  • Competence in delivering 1-1 and group-based interventions, including managing complex cases.
  • Proven ability to work with community, statutory, and voluntary agencies to support vulnerable families.
  • Strong communication and administrative skills, including report writing and use of office software (e.g. Salesforce).
  • Experience in managing safeguarding risks, conducting risk assessments, and supporting volunteers and students.
  • Ability to organise and prioritise workload in a dynamic environment, with knowledge of data security and GDPR.

What we offer

We offer a rewarding role with the opportunity to develop your skills and future career in an enriching environment with the following benefits:

  • 6% employer pension contribution
  • flexible working (including flexi-time)
  • access to learning and development opportunities
  • one special leave day to celebrate your birthday
  • annual staff and volunteer recognition awards
  • quarterly staff wellbeing activities
  • annual all staff outing/activity
  • HSF Health plan for employees (and their spouse/partner and children) including dental and optical claim back, physio claim back, personal accident coverage, GP, mental health counselling, legal support, discounts for gym, cinema and shopping
  • access to ScotWest Credit Union offering loans, mortgages and savings accounts
Shortlist

CashBack Connections Coordinator

  • Full time
  • £27,122 – £30,708
  • Hybrid: Hamilton office, selected schools, community venues and from home
  • Closing 26th April 2026

CashBack Connections supports young people (aged 10-16) across deprived areas of Lanarkshire who are at risk of involvement in antisocial behaviour/offending by providing one-to-one and group befriending/mentoring opportunities. The project aims to guide young people away from negative influences and towards positive pathways of their choosing, while also supporting families facing challenges such as poverty, poor mental health, or substance misuse.

Young people will take part in activities that interest them, helping them to gain new experiences, develop skills, build confidence, and (importantly) have fun. Alongside developing trusting relationships with volunteers and peers, the project will reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and strengthen community connections. Where appropriate, families will also be offered support to address barriers affecting a young person’s progress.

With the delivery of the project about to begin, COVEY is now seeking a compassionate, skilled and proactive CashBack Connections Coordinator to lead the delivery of the project.

The CashBack Connections Coordinator will develop and deliver a blend of group support and one-to-one befriending and mentoring support, using a relationship-based and trauma-informed approach to build trust, strengthen resilience and promote positive engagement.

They will work closely with Service Managers, Family Support Workers, Volunteers and Group Facilitators to ensure safe, effective and high-quality delivery that aims to reduce the risk of antisocial behaviour/offending, helping young people to realise their potential and move towards education/training or employment.

A key part of the role will involve coordinating and supporting Volunteers and Group Facilitators, maintaining strong safeguarding practice and ensuring all activity is impactful and aligned with COVEY’s values. For young people with more complex needs, the Coordinator will collaborate with COVEY’s Family Support team to provide integrated, whole-family interventions, including more intensive support during periods of heightened risk or early intervention to prevent escalation.

As this is a new project, the role offers an exciting opportunity to bring fresh ideas, shape the development of CashBack Connections and directly influence the positive outcomes we aim to achieve for disadvantaged young people and their families.

What we offer

We offer a rewarding role with the opportunity to develop your skills and future career in an enriching environment with the following benefits:

  • 6% employer pension contribution
  • 22 days A/L (rising to up to 27 days) and 10 public holidays.
  • One special leave day to celebrate your birthday
  • Flexible working
  • HSF Health plan (including dental, optical, physio claim back, personal accident coverage, GP, mental health counselling, legal support, and discounts for gym, cinema, and shopping)
  • Quarterly staff wellbeing activities
  • Access to ScotWest Credit Union (loans, mortgages, and savings accounts)
  • Access to learning and development opportunities
Shortlist