Job Purpose

The Employability Worker will deliver volunteering and employability support to parents, carers and individuals experiencing barriers to employment, education and training.

Embedded within Govan HELP’s wider family support model, the role will ensure employability support is integrated alongside counselling, wellbeing, financial advice and practical family support services. The postholder will work flexibly and compassionately with individuals who may be far from the labour market, supporting them to build confidence, develop skills and progress at a realistic pace towards positive destinations.

This role is central to Govan HELP’s place-based approach to tackling child poverty and strengthening outcomes for families across the Govan community.

Key Responsibilities

Employability Support

• Deliver tailored one-to-one employability support to parents, carers and community members
• Support individuals to identify strengths, aspirations and achievable goals
• Develop personalised action plans with participants
• Support CV building, applications, interview preparation and job searching
• Assist individuals to access training, volunteering and employability opportunities
• Work closely with volunteers and create more opportunities

Volunteering Development & Coordination

• Support the development and coordination of volunteering opportunities across Govan HELP services
• Recruit, support and maintain positive relationships with volunteers
• Identify meaningful volunteering pathways that build confidence, skills and progression opportunities
• Work with volunteers to support service delivery across groups, community activities and the Pantry
• Promote volunteering as a stepping stone towards employability, training and social connection
• Support volunteers to identify strengths, gain experience and progress towards positive destinations
• Maintain volunteer records and contribute to monitoring and reporting on volunteer engagement and outcomes

Barrier Identification & Support

• Identify barriers impacting employability including:
  • poverty
  • trauma
  • mental health challenges
  • caring responsibilities
  • low confidence
  • financial hardship
  • skills gaps
• Work collaboratively with internal services to ensure participants receive holistic support

Group Work & Community Engagement

• Deliver group-based employability and confidence-building sessions
• Facilitate work-readiness and personal development activities
• Undertake outreach across the Govan community to engage individuals furthest from employment
• Build trusting relationships within the local community

Partnership Working

• Develop pathways with employers, training providers and employability agencies
• Work collaboratively with schools, housing providers, third sector organisations and community partners
• Promote volunteering and supported progression opportunities

Outcome Monitoring

• Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes
• Support reporting on outcomes and impact
• Track participant progress and sustainment outcomes

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post-holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties, which may have to be varied subject to the needs of the service and in keeping with the general profile of the post. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by the Exclusions and Exemptions (Scotland) Order 2003, and as such any appointment will be subject to them having appropriate PVG Scheme Membership.

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience supporting individuals facing barriers to employment
• Understanding of poverty, trauma and social exclusion
• Experience delivering one-to-one support and group work
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to motivate and empower others
• Knowledge of employability pathways, training and local support services
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
• IT skills and ability to maintain accurate records

Desirable

• Experience within the third sector or community-based services
• Understanding of trauma-informed practice
• Experience supporting parents and families
• Knowledge of the Govan community and local challenges
• Relevant qualification in Community Development, Employability, Social Care or related field

Values & Approach

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Compassion and empathy
• A non-judgemental approach
• Commitment to tackling inequality and child poverty
• Flexibility and creativity
• Belief in people’s potential
• Commitment to relational and place-based working

Why This Role Matters

By supporting parents, carers and volunteers towards employment, education and training, the Employability Worker will help strengthen household stability, improve wellbeing and contribute to better long-term outcomes for children and families.

This role reflects Govan HELP’s belief that tackling child poverty requires whole-family, community-led and relational approaches that support people to move beyond surviving to thriving

Families are referred to Govan Help’s family support service via several partner agencies including education, health and social work as well as self-referrals and you may work together to assess and support family’s needs. Your role will vary depending on the unmet needs of the family you are supporting. We are based in the heart of Govan and the role is delivered flexibly from our base, in family’s homes and in the Govan community to meet the diverse needs of the Govan families.

You will be responsible for a caseload of families who require intensive support, design and deliver group work programmes, and other general aspects of service delivery in relation to the communities needs. Our core hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm but there may be some occasional requirement to work flexibly in the evening or at weekends to meet the needs of the service and carry out any other reasonable duties as required.

Family Worker Responsibilities

• To undertake assessment, risk assessment, support planning, review and evaluation with children, young people and families.
• To undertake assessment, risk assessment, support planning, review and evaluation with partner organisations.
• To work with children, young people and their families on a one to one and group basis, using a range of creative and innovative interventions, to identify need and achieve positive outcomes.
• Take a strengths based and trauma informed approach, to work in partnership with families to empower them to achieve positive outcomes.
• Ensuring you become and remain up to date on your knowledge of local service provision of appropriate signposting and referral organisations or information.
• Ensure you maintain up-to-date knowledge on legislation, policy, local and national developments affecting children, young people and families.
• To work within Govan Help’s policy’s and procedures most notably child protection, confidentiality, boundaries and recording procedures.
• To attend supervision, team meetings and in-house training sessions as appropriate.
• To show commitment to ongoing personal development.
• To provide a flexible service delivering the right support at the right time required by families.

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post-holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties, which may have to be varied subject to the needs of the service and in keeping with the general profile of the post. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 by the Exclusions and Exemptions (Scotland) Order 2003, and as such any appointment will be subject to them having appropriate PVG Scheme Membership.

Family Worker: Person Specification

Education, Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant professional qualification at level SCQF 8 or above.
• At least two years’ experience working in a social care setting.

Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge and understanding of theories of child development.
• Experience of working directly with children in a supportive way.
• Knowledge and understanding of Trauma informed approaches.
• Experience of working directly with parents, carers and families taking a strengths-based approach.
• Experience of person-centred support planning and delivery.
• Knowledge and understanding around the key legislation, policy and practice, and key issues facing families, children and young people in Scotland.
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and in partnership with other agencies.

Personal skills and attributes

• Ability to support families holistically whilst remaining child focussed.
• Strong assessment skills and ability to assess and manage risk.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with families, colleagues, and other organisations to ensure a shared understanding.
• Ability to work creatively with families and contribute to the continuous development of the service.
• Understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Ability to manage your own time and responsibilities dynamically within a busy and fast paced work environment.
• Be willing to engage in learning and training opportunities.