Charity registered in Scotland SC014271
The Cottage Family Centre was established in 1987. The focus of the work at the Centre is to provide a range of support to those families and individuals within family units who are vulnerable to social exclusion as a result of factors such as poverty, unemployment, poor housing, relationship breakdown, drug and alcohol problems and health related issues.
The Cottage Family Centre is seeking a caring and experienced practitioner to lead our Children’s Service. This rewarding role combines practical work with children and families, team leadership, partnership working and service development.
The role
You will lead a high-quality, child-centred service focused on early intervention and prevention. Alongside supporting staff, you will work directly with children and families, champion safeguarding, collaborate with partner agencies and contribute to the wider management of The Cottage. A key focus will be improving outcomes for children aged 0–3.
What you’ll do
• Lead the Children’s Service and maintain high-quality frontline practice.
• Provide staff supervision, guidance and professional development.
• Champion early intervention and support children’s development and wellbeing, particularly for ages 0–3.
• Build strong relationships with children, families and partner agencies.
• Promote safeguarding and respond appropriately to concerns.
• Monitor quality and contribute to planning, improvement and organisational projects.
• Contribute to management meetings, decision-making and wider organisational development, while ensuring compliance with policies, SSSC standards and regulatory requirements.
About you
• Experience of working with children and families, particularly children aged 0–3, in early years, childcare, family support, social care or a related field.
• Experience of supporting, guiding or leading staff.
• Sound knowledge of child development, early intervention and safeguarding.
• Strong communication, organisation, collaboration and professional judgement.
• You must hold SVQ 4 (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 9, and either hold, or be willing to work towards and achieve, an SSSC-recognised management qualification within three years of appointment.
• Commitment to service development and better outcomes for children and families.
Additional experience we would value
Experience in management or coordination, supervision, quality assurance, service development or multi-agency working would be an advantage. Where required, support will be provided to work towards the SSSC-recognised management qualification.
Ready to make a difference?
If you can combine compassionate practice with confident leadership, we would be delighted to hear from you.