Make a lasting difference for families across Ayrshire

CEIS Ayrshire is seeking an experienced and values-driven Programme Manager to lead the delivery of Family Forward Ayrshire, an ambitious whole-family support programme funded through the Scottish Government's Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund.

Working with a partnership of five organisations, Family Forward Ayrshire will support over 430 families across North, East and South Ayrshire, helping families increase income, improve wellbeing, overcome barriers and progress towards employment and learning opportunities.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a large-scale collaborative programme that places families at the centre of service design and delivery.

About the role

As Programme Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for the programme, ensuring delivery against targets, managing partnerships, maintaining funder relationships and creating an environment where innovative, trauma-informed and family-led practice can flourish.

You will oversee programme performance, contractual compliance, budget management, evaluation activity and the development of long-term sustainability plans. Working closely with partner organisations, local authorities, the Scottish Government and other stakeholders, you will play a key role in shaping the future of whole-family support across Ayrshire.

We are looking for someone who has:

• Significant experience managing complex multi-agency or partnership programmes
• A successful track record of delivering funded projects and achieving contracted outcomes
• Strong people leadership and staff management skills
• Experience managing substantial budgets and reporting to funders
• Excellent partnership-building and stakeholder management abilities
• Understanding of child poverty, family support and employability services
• Commitment to trauma-informed, person-centred and strengths-based approaches

Why join us?

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead an innovative and high-profile programme
• Influence policy and practice across Ayrshire
• Work alongside passionate and experienced partners
• Help tackle poverty and inequality through whole-family support
• Be part of an organisation committed to social impact and community regeneration
• Company Pension scheme through Scottish Widows 6% staff contribution, 10% company
• 37 days annual leave per annum, including public holidays
• Flexible and supportive working arrangements

Equality and Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applications from people with lived experience of poverty, caring responsibilities or barriers to employment are encouraged.

CEIS Ayrshire are a Living Wage and Living Hours employer.

CEIS Ayrshire and TACT are recruiting jointly as part of this programme, view the TACT posts here.

Be the one person families can rely on

Family Forward Ayrshire is recruiting Family Navigators to provide holistic, relationship-based support to families across Ayrshire.

This is not a traditional key worker role. We are looking for people who understand that meaningful change starts with trust and that families are experts in their own lives.

As a Family Navigator, you will walk alongside families through periods of challenge, helping them identify goals, access support and build lasting positive change.

About the role

You will be the main point of contact for a caseload of families, working with them to understand their strengths, challenges and aspirations. Together, you will create a whole-family plan that reflects what matters most to them.

You will coordinate support across a range of specialist services, advocate on behalf of families when needed and help remove practical barriers through access to the programme's Family Support Fund.

This role involves home visits, collaborative working with partners and a commitment to flexible, responsive and trauma-informed practice.

We are looking for people who:

• Build trust quickly and maintain positive relationships
• Have experience supporting families, individuals or communities facing disadvantage
• Can work creatively and flexibly to meet individual needs
• Are confident coordinating support from multiple agencies
• Have sound safeguarding awareness and judgement
• Are organised and able to manage a varied caseload
• Share our commitment to voluntary, strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches

We particularly welcome applications from people who:

• Have lived experience of navigating support services
• Have worked in family support, health, housing, community development, welfare rights or related fields
• Have strong connections within Ayrshire communities

Why join us?

• Make a genuine difference to families' lives
• Work within an innovative whole-family model
• Receive training and ongoing professional development
• Join a supportive and collaborative team
• Be part of a programme focused on long-term outcomes, not short-term targets
• Company Pension scheme
• Flexible and supportive working arrangements
• Disability Confident Employer

Equality and Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applications from people with lived experience of poverty, caring responsibilities or barriers to employment are encouraged.

CEIS Ayrshire is a Living Wage and Living Hours employer.

CEIS Ayrshire and TACT are recruiting jointly as part of this programme, view the TACT posts here.

Help parents move towards sustainable employment

Do you believe employability support should start with people's aspirations rather than vacancies?

Family Forward Ayrshire is seeking a Progression Coordinator to help parents build confidence, overcome barriers and move into employment, training or better-paid work at a pace that works for them and their family.

About the role

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary whole-family support team, you will lead the employability and progression strand of family plans.

You will work directly with parents who are ready to explore work, training or learning opportunities, helping them identify realistic next steps and ensuring any changes improve their financial circumstances.

You will build relationships with employers, employability providers and training organisations across Ayrshire, creating opportunities that recognise the realities of family life and support sustainable progression.

Key responsibilities

• Support parents to identify and achieve employability goals
• Coordinate progression pathways into training, accredited learning and employment
• Develop relationships with family-friendly employers
• Ensure financial gains are assessed before employment decisions are made
• Manage warm handovers into employability pipelines and support services
• Provide ongoing in-work support to maximise sustainment
• Maintain accurate records and outcome reporting

We are looking for someone with:

• Experience supporting people facing barriers to employment
• Strong employer engagement and partnership-building skills
• Understanding of employability services and labour market opportunities
• Experience supporting sustainable job outcomes
• Excellent organisational and relationship management skills
• A person-centred and strengths-based approach
• Commitment to helping people progress at their own pace

Why join us?

• Be part of an innovative whole-family programme
• Help tackle poverty through sustainable employment outcomes
• Shape relationships with employers across Ayrshire
• Work alongside highly experienced family support specialists
• Contribute to long-term change for families and communities
• Company Pension scheme
• 37 days annual leave per annum, including public holidays
• Flexible working arrangements

Equality and Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Applications from people with lived experience of poverty, caring responsibilities or barriers to employment are encouraged.

CEIS Ayrshire is a Living Wage and Living Hours employer.

CEIS Ayrshire and TACT are recruiting jointly as part of this programme, view the TACT posts here.