Funded by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Carers Challenge Fund, this is one of two Family Support Development Officers post within the existing Forth Valley Family Support Service. This post focuses on developments within Falkirk, and is responsible for developing, delivering, supporting, and promoting a range of family support and engagement for family members who are affected by someone else’s substance use.

Funded developments include: Design and delivery of group sessions in partnership with the Carers Centre; Establishing link working with Hospital Support & Discharge Priorities; Exploring opportunities to engage with families in areas with low referral rates.

The post holder will work in partnership with partner organisations, families and communities, and have responsibility for co-leading Scottish Families’ Forth Valley Family Support Service (established in 2014) alongside our existing Forth Valley Family Support Development Officer. Responsibilities include co-leading the development, delivery and promotion of Forth Valley Family Support Service, offering a range of family support and engagement for family members across Forth Valley who are affected by someone else’s substance use; and ensuring the Family Support Service offers, choice, consistency and flexibility for adult family members (aged 16+ years) in their own right.

The post is located in Forth Valley (main base: Falkirk) and has an area-wide remit involving significant travel throughout the area and some to our offices in Glasgow. It is expected that the post holder will be required to work some evenings and occasional weekends. Due to the nature of this post, access to a car is essential. This post will be part of Scottish Families’ staff team and be supervised by the Senior Family Support Development Officer.

We are seeking applicants who have a degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional qualification; and experience of direct client work, group work and direct work with families. Experience working with or as a carer and/or working with or as a volunteer is desirable, along with knowledge of issues for families affected by substance use. Knowledge of carers rights is an advantage. Candidates should be able to encourage and promote the development of family support groups, and effectively and sensitively advocate for others, with strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills.

We are recruiting – come and join Scottish Families!

We are seeking a Senior National Family Support Practitioner (Job Share, 0.5 FTE) to lead the development of our national family support services and provide day-to-day management of the Scottish Families national support team, providing appropriate support, personal development review and performance management to ensure the delivery of high-quality services, the safety and well-being of the staff and effective use of resources.

The Senior National Family Support Practitioner will work together with their job share partner to manage and participate in the day-to-day operational delivery of Scottish Families national support services. Scottish Families’ innovative national family support programme ensures a positive and empowering support approach that respects and recognises individuals’ needs, and balances these with the ethos and capacity of the service. Scottish Families national support services are branded and promoted as Helpline; ‘Click & Deliver’ take-home Naloxone; one-to-one Ripple Family Support; My Family, My Rights; and Bereavement Support.

The post is based at Edward House, Glasgow – Scottish Families’ national office. (Note that staff are currently working between home and office). This is a national post which includes some travel across Scotland. Hours worked will be in line with service delivery requirements, including occasional evenings and weekends when required. The post will be part of the Scottish Families’ staff team and be supervised by the Head of Programmes.

Together with their job share partner, the post-holder will line manage the national family support team; effectively manage the workflow within the national family support team, including caseloads, to ensure that family members’ support needs are met appropriately within a timely manner; directly participate in delivering national support, including scheduling and delivering virtual one-to-one structured evidence-based intervention sessions (includes delivering CRAFT; Community Reinforcement & Family Training); Helpline contact handling; and providing initial bereavement assessment and support, facilitating referrals to bereavement counselling where appropriate. The role includes overseeing the ongoing development of these services, as required, and quality assuring the work of the team by a range of means. The role also focuses on strengthening family support practice and resource development, advancing specialist skills and expertise, developing consistency of approach, and promoting information-sharing and peer support between team members.

We are seeking applicants who are educated to degree level or equivalent, with experience of direct client work, direct work with families, relationship-based practice, and group work. Applicants should have experience in identifying and managing risk; working in partnership; and the development of services; as well as knowledge of issues affecting families affected by substance use and bereavement. We are seeking an excellent listener, with the ability to support individuals from diverse demographics, and to identify and evaluate risk. Applicants must be organised and efficient with excellent written and verbal communication skills and a high degree of competence in MS Office programmes, including MS Excel. You should be available to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends