We have an opportunity for a Strategic Planning Manager to join the Strategic Planning team on a full-time fixed term contract for 12 months. This is a dynamic role where you will co-ordinate the key components of the strategy management system.

It’s an exciting time to join the Fund as we implement our 2030 strategy ‘It Starts with Community’. Our ambitious 3-year Corporate Plan sets stretching goals to guide the organisation’s delivery of the strategy. The Strategic Planning team plays a key role in driving the Fund to achieve our overarching strategic ambitions. Through our strategy, we aim to build resilient communities that are more inclusive and environmentally sustainable. We’re committed to focusing our efforts where the need is greatest, particularly with people, places and communities who experience poverty, disadvantage, and discrimination. We’re eager to make a significant impact in the years ahead.

You will be part of a small, dispersed team working flexibly to meet the needs of our key stakeholders. The team oversees the Fund’s corporate planning, business planning and project/programme management processes to ensure we achieve our strategic ambitions.

You will bring expertise in strategic planning to facilitate the annual business planning process within senior leadership teams across the Fund, supporting directorates to deliver our strategic aspirations. We are looking for someone with a keen eye for detail who can also see the bigger picture. Through a continuous improvement approach you will regularly review our ways of working and be empowered to identify and implement innovative solutions. With your strategic thinking and analytical skills you will contribute to reports to senior leaders to provide assurance, raise issues and support effective decision making.

You will work collaboratively with our wider network of colleagues from across the organisation to deliver our key corporate processes, including the Finance team to ensure alignment between planning and budgeting.

You’ll play a key role in reporting against our strategic transformation and delivery programme, helping the Fund to assess whether we are on track to achieve our goals. You will have a strong background in project delivery, helping to develop and strengthen our internal project management capabilities by rolling out project management tools and templates, and providing coaching and guidance to project leads.

With strong organisational skills you will manage your workload and priorities throughout the year, ensuring that team priorities are met and aligning your efforts with the overall goals of the team. Your strong communication skills and passion will help raise the profile of the team and our work with colleagues across the Fund. There will be some travel expectations, with quarterly face-to-face team meetings within one of our offices.

Background and Job Description

Mikeysline is a Highland-based mental health awareness and suicide prevention charity established in 2015. We provide support through our evening text-based services and on a 1:1 basis at our Hives (face to face, telephone and online) and in secondary schools in Highland and Moray. We also offer a range of other services, including Hive on the Road.

Hive on the Road, our mobile Hive, was launched in February 2024. To date, our fully converted Ford Transit Van has travelled to locations throughout the Highlands and Moray, as well as taking trips to Orkney. We are delighted to be developing this project further in 2025, with a particular emphasis on building connections in the North West of the Highland area (including the Western Isles).

One of the aims of the Hive on the Road project is to provide accessible mental health support across the Highlands, Islands and Moray, in areas not yet reached by other face-to-face services. The main body of the Hive on the Road vehicle has been transformed into a welcoming and safe space to facilitate mental health support sessions as needed. As well as providing support, Hive on the Road is a vital tool for raising awareness of Mikeysline services in new communities, reducing stigma surrounding mental health and accessing support.

We are looking for a Development Manager to join our team, with a particular focus on developing and raising awareness of Mikeysline and Hive on the Road, across the North West Highlands. The successful candidate for this role will build enduring relationships with businesses, organisations and communities to develop our understanding of the mental health support needs in rural areas. In particular, we are keen to collaborate with, and learn from, local crofting communities and those in rural industries, including forestry, fisheries and agriculture.

The Development Manager will be responsible for identifying potential stakeholders/collaborators across the area and planning future visits/activities/events for the Hive on the Road project. The post-holder will also have a key role in recruiting volunteers to support our delivery across the North West Highlands. It is expected that the successful candidate for this role will spend part of the week travelling with the vehicle (subject to business need), with the support of volunteers.

Person Specification:

This is a key post within the Mikesyline management team and we are looking for an exceptional leader to support the development and ongoing expansion of our Hive on the Road project.

You will be a dynamic and experienced manager with a background of working in mental health services and/or have significant knowledge of mental health issues. You will have experience in service planning, delivery and evaluation, with a focus on achieving measurable outcomes.

You will be a skilled communicator, with the confidence to liaise with people at all levels and the ability to collaborate and develop strong relationships with key partners. You will be creative, thrive on working both within a team and on your own specific areas of work, and have highly tuned time management and organisational skills.

You will be proactive in your approach to this role, with the confidence and experience needed to approach new potential stakeholders and build lasting, fruitful relationships. You will be able to make solution-focused decisions quickly, using your own initiative. You will need to be flexible. Travelling to Hive on the Road locations may include longer days and occasional overnight stays.

Training will provided by Mikeysline and there will be ongoing learning and development opportunities available, but we are looking for demonstrable confidence and skills in the above areas from the start.

Due to the nature of Mikeysline work, the postholder will work with awareness of the importance of safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection, ensuring adherence to best practice and following Mikeysline’s policies at all times. Good IT skills and a full, clean UK driving license are essential for this role.

To find out more about this role, please email rachelhughes@mikeysline.co.uk

Overview of Organisation:

Heavy Sound is a Community Interest Company, incorporated in 2015, based in East Lothian. We work with disconnected young people and adults, re-engaging them through strength-based activities of interest including music, biking, sports, creative arts, education, mentoring and 1:1 therapy. By building trusting relationships we help inspire positive opportunities for further learning, life skills development, and future training and employment.

Job role:

The role is to manage and deliver outreach youth work projects, activities, and events across East Lothian, working in partnership with existing youth clubs and other stakeholders.

Heavy Sound has a 40ft single decker bus, The Community Reach & Inclusion Bus (The Crib) which provides community outreach initiatives including music, creative arts, and bike activities. The role will involve bringing equipment, and on occasions our bus (The Crib), along to youth clubs and community events, and running various activities from it. Activities will mainly be music and bike-based consisting of DJ’ing, electronic music production and basic bike mechanics. If there is not suitable space for The Crib, activities take place in community halls etc.

The role can either be part-time to deliver the above, or potentially full-time if the applicant has an additional skillset in music, creative arts, biking, sports, outdoor pursuits, education, or mentoring.

An ability to drive the bus is not essential but would be highly desirable. Only a normal Category B driving license is required as the vehicle doesn’t carry passengers and is classed as a ‘mobile project vehicle’ by DVLA.

Flexible working is required as there will be evening and occasional weekend work.

Overview of Organisation:

Heavy Sound is a Community Interest Company, incorporated in 2015, based in East Lothian. We work with disconnected young people and adults, re-engaging them through strength-based activities of interest including music, biking, sports, creative arts, education, mentoring and 1:1 therapy. By building trusting relationships we help inspire positive opportunities for further learning, life skills development, and future training and employment.

16+ Programme:

Heavy Sound transforms the lives of vulnerable, disengaged and, in the main, care-experienced 11–15-year-olds across East Lothian. Based on their needs, we have developed a 16+ Programme to extend this support to provide:

• Life skills development
• Qualifications
• Support into further education, volunteering, training and employment

Participants are referred mainly through education and social work, and engage in a variety of activities including education, music, biking, sports and mentoring, leading to qualifications and awards, and life skills development.

Flexibility in hours is required as there is a weekly evening 16+ drop-in.

YOU MUST HAVE:

• A counselling diploma.
• Certificate of working with young people.

The Organisation:

Mindspace is a community based voluntary organisation committed to supporting and promoting the mental wellbeing of people in the Perth area. Mindspace is funded by NHS Tayside, Perth & Kinross Council, the Scottish Government, and donations. Mindspace’s objective is to promote mental wellbeing in a safe and supportive environment. Services are provided through Counselling, Recovery College and Peer Support.

Purpose of Role:

To provide counselling in schools for young people aged 10-18 based in the locality’s secondary school with some provision of counselling to year 6 and 7 pupils within the community.

Responsibilities:

• Provide a professional counselling service to children and young people aged 10–18
• Contribute to service development.
• Work within Mindspace’s policies and procedures
• Liaise with Senior Counsellor to ensure high standard of service delivery
• Engage in regular external counselling supervision at a level consistent with BACP requirements
• Maintain confidentiality and child protection appropriate to the school setting
• Follow good practice and ethical guidelines as required by BACP
• Maintain records of clients and hours worked, and provide appropriate statistical returns as required
• Complete school reporting forms accurately
• Liaise as required with admin staff
• Attend regular wellbeing meetings as required

Requirements

Qualifications - Essential

• A counselling diploma.
• Specialist training in counselling young people.
• Current membership of BACP or COSCA

Experience

• Competency in working within a recognised theoretical framework.
• Have worked therapeutically with young people.
• Knowledge and understanding of Child Protection issues – ensuring knowledge is current and up to date.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality appropriate to the setting.
• Ability to work effectively within a team and with colleagues from other disciplines.
• Understanding of issues related to counselling vulnerable, disadvantaged young people.
• Ability to deliver counselling assessments.
• Knowledge and use of counselling monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Experience of developing services and liaising with partner organisations.

Personal Qualities

• Excellent communication skills both orally and in writing.
• Motivated, enthusiastic and self-aware.
• Ability to work independently while mindful of accountability.
• Ability to travel to other schools within the locality as required.

West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service is a well-established 3rd sector organisation with a history and reputation for delivering a wide range of effective early interventions and psychological therapies around alcohol and drugs throughout West Lothian as well as providing Young Peoples Services and a Family Support Service.

As part of our Psychological Therapies service we are looking to recruit a dynamic and flexible Art Therapist to provide Art Therapy to young people and adults who are experiencing substance misuse issues or who are affected by the substance misuse of a family member, friend or someone who has been a significant person in their lives and to young people who have experienced the sudden death of a family member, friend or significant other

This is a fixed term post until 31 March 2026 with the possibility of extension, funded through the West Lothian Whole Family Approach Public Social Partnership and The Robertson Trust. The role will mainly involve face to face 1 to 1 working, with some group work interventions across West Lothian in a range of settings. Some evening work and weekend work may be required from time to time.

This post is delivered in person and is not suitable for hybrid or home working. The Service operates from premises at The Almondbank Centre in Craigshill, Livingston.

For further information about the post contact: Fiona Brown, Psychological Services Manager on 07795200260 or fiona.brown@wldas.org

Are you enthusiastic about working with families and young people? Do you have a passion for sharing your faith? Do you have a heart for working in the community? Then you may be the right person to join Granton Baptist Church as our new Family and Youth Worker.

We are looking for someone with vision and enthusiasm who can work with us to enable, support, and grow our existing Christian ministry with families and young people in the church, local schools, and within the wider community; and to explore new potential for outreach. Working with parents, other agencies and organisations including schools and 3rd Sector providers.

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Do you have relevant experience of working with children and young people with a disability and/or autism or relevant experience in a similar sector/work environment?

About Aberlour Options Fife - Residential Glenrothes

At Aberlour we listen to understand what our young people want and need within our local area. As such, our service in Glenrothes supports young people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live and thrive within the local community.

Our service is home to 3 young people, aged 14 plus. Our rota has been drafted to suit the needs of the young people. Our night shifts operate from 10pm to 8am. You will work a rolling rota consisting of 3 to 4 nights per contracted hours. More details can be discussed at interview.

What we are looking for....

As a Young People’s Worker, you will play a fundamental role in our young people’s lives to ensure that they get the best possible experience whilst working towards goals in their care plan. Using a person-centred approach, you will provide enabling support ensuring the highest level of physical and emotional care; supporting our young people in their daily living and within the local community.

If you have an interest in working with young people, we would like to hear from you. Ideally, candidates will have social care experience, an understanding of autism, complex needs and disability. You will hold, or be willing to work towards, a relevant professional qualification at SCQF level 7 or above (for example: SVQ 3 Social Services (Children and Young People) plus an HNC) together with relevant experience of working with children or young people. You must also be able to demonstrate awareness of the key elements of working with people affected by disability as well as an understanding of, and commitment to, young people’s rights.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.

Aberlour is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our service users and uses a thorough and rigorous recruitment and selection process including PVG Scheme checks to ensure this commitment is not compromised.

Applications are welcome from diverse ethnic minority and cultural communities, and under-represented faith and religious groups.

Do you have relevant experience of working with children and young people with a disability and/or autism or relevant experience in a similar sector/work environment?

About Aberlour Options Fife Residential Glenrothes

At Aberlour we listen to understand what our young people want and need within our local area. As such, our service in Glenrothes supports young people with learning disabilities and/or autism to live and thrive within the local community.

What we are looking for....

As a Young People’s Worker, you will play a fundamental role in our young people’s lives to ensure that they get the best possible experience whilst working towards goals in their care plan. Using a person-centred approach, you will provide enabling support ensuring the highest level of physical and emotional care; supporting our young people in their daily living and within the local community.

If you have an interest in working with young people, we would like to hear from you. We are looking for two Young People’s Workers to work 37.5 hours per week, on a temporary basis over the school summer holidays.

These hours will be worked as part of a 24/7 residential rota, which will include mornings, evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. You will also be expected to do sleepovers.

Ideally, candidates will have social care experience, an understanding of autism, complex needs and disability. You will hold, or be willing to work towards, a relevant professional qualification at SCQF level 7 or above (for example: SVQ 3 Social Services (Children and Young People) plus an HNC) together with relevant experience of working with children or young people. You must also be able to demonstrate awareness of the key elements of working with people affected by disability as well as an understanding of, and commitment to, young people’s rights.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.

Applications are welcome from diverse ethnic minority and cultural communities, and under-represented faith and religious groups.

Aberlour is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our service users and uses a thorough and rigorous recruitment and selection process including PVG Scheme checks to ensure this commitment is not compromised.

The AIMS Project works with young people aged 14-18 years with significant mental health issues and often particularly disadvantaged backgrounds.

As a result of mental illness and diagnosed and undiagnosed learning disability over 80% of the young people we work with are outwith mainstream Education, Training and Employment.

At AIMS we believe in the potential of these young people.

We run three Programmes;

• REACH – a mental health support group – up to 3 days a week
• THRIVE – a highly supportive Stage 1 Personal Development Programme – 3-4 days and week
• Rise – a youth club which operated 2 sessions a week

Our Projects offer small group activities and high staff ratios. Overall, we aim to support young people to realise their own potential and to start to develop their own aspirations. We also aim to support young people to confidently use public transport, communicate effectively, make friendships and develop the courage to try new things.

All our Projects incorporate a huge range of outdoor education, visits and activities, designed broaden horizons and push boundaries.

We are currently seeking to recruit an additional Support Worker at 24 hours a week. The Support Worker will work across our Projects for up to 4 days a week.

No prior experience is required, however the post is subject to PVG Membership. We are seeking people with empathy, enthusiasm, a motivational and nurturing approach to the needs of our young people, and a willingness to take part in all activities offered.