Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs
Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs

Charity registered in Scotland SC034737

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs (Scottish Families) provides support to families affected by the substance misuse of a loved one and raises awareness of the issues affecting them.  We offer families a variety of services including a national helpline, one-to-one and groups support, training opportunities and community engagement activities to help families cope with their loved one’s substance misuse, rebuild relationships and improve their wellbeing.


Current vacancies

Board Members

  • Management Board
  • Unpaid
  • Hybrid: Glasgow
  • Closing 15th May 2026

Are you passionate about supporting families?

We are seeking new Board members, including those with Digital, Finance, Policy or Communications expertise.

Scottish Families supports anyone who is concerned about someone else’s alcohol or drug use. We were established in 2003 by families themselves, who came together to support each other and to campaign for recognition. Our five Outcomes are that Families are Supported, Included, Heard, Connected, and that Families Create Change.

We are a national charity based in Glasgow but working right across Scotland. We provide a range of national and local services, including a national helpline, one to one support, bereavement counselling and local family support services. We also deliver a national workforce development programme; Connecting Families; My Family, My Rights; communications; fundraising; and policy/ campaigning work, as well as our Routes young persons programme, and Grow Your Own Routes national development programme.

We are Scotland’s leading charity supporting families affected by substance use, and are recognised by the Scottish Government as one of their Key Third Sector Partners in the field of alcohol and drugs. We are funded through a combination of Government grants, commissioned services, charitable trusts and fundraising.

You can find out more about our work by reading ‘The Cost of Loving’, our Strategic Plan 2023-26, and ‘Celebrating Families’, our Impact Report 2023-24. Our website is at sfad.org.uk.

We are seeking a number of new Board members in response to recent and upcoming changes in our Board membership. (Board members serve an initial three-year term, which can be extended for a further three years).

You should be available to attend quarterly meetings, which are held in person at our national office in Glasgow city centre (with the option of joining online via MS Teams). Meetings are held on Saturday mornings and the schedule is set well in advance.

Shortlist

35 hours per week (1.0 FTE)

(Further extension subject to funding)

£34,404 per annum

Plus 4% employer pension contribution

Based: Inverclyde (Main base: Greenock)

We are seeking a full-time Family Support Development Officer to lead our Inverclyde Family Support Service.

This post will develop, deliver, support and promote a range of family support and engagement for family members aged 16+ years who are affected by someone else’s substance use. The post is supported by a Family Support Worker, and works in partnership with partner organisations, families and communities. This is a fixed term post to 31 March 2027 (potential extension subject to funding).

The post is based in Inverclyde (main base: Greenock) 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 with a degree in a relevant subject or equivalent professional qualification, and experience of direct client work, group work, and direct work with families, as well as identifying and managing risk. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of issues for families affected by substance use, values underpinning advocacy, and an understanding of the voluntary sector. The ability to encourage and promote the development of family support groups, and effectively and sensitively advocate for others, are essential, as well as strong organisational skills and interpersonal and communication skills.

Shortlist