Change-makers sought!

Do you want to help Scotland to keep The Promise? Are you passionate about improving the experiences and life opportunities of Scotland’s children who need support, care and protection?

This is an exciting opportunity to work with CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Care and Protection, based at the University of Strathclyde.

We’re looking for an experienced, innovative, and values-driven policy lead. The post holder will work in partnership with children, young people and adults with lived experience, the Scottish Government, local authorities, health boards, education, the third sector, and other key stakeholders to improve policy development and implementation, services, experiences and outcomes for children in need of care and protection and their families and carers.

The role has a particular focus on understanding and translating evidence, including lived experience, to inform the strengthening of legal frameworks and policies that guide public bodies and public service responsibilities to babies, infants, children and young people who are affected by poverty, family stresses and strains, and who live with kinship, foster, or residential carers.

This will include attention to the Scottish Government’s Single Implementation Plan which has a focus on incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; the findings and recommendations of The Promise of the Independent Care Review in Scotland; the development of early family support; and implementation of the new National Child Protection Guidance.

This role is ideal for candidates with a keen interest in how Scotland’s law and policy interacts with developments in the UK, Europe and international bodies, such as the United Nations. It requires a strategic, analytical and a compassionate individual, who has the strong interpersonal and writing skills required to lead, support and encourage collaboration on activities that will achieve positive change with and for children, families, carers and workforces.

The role requires the ability to travel throughout Scotland and the post holder may work flexibly with the requirement to travel to CELCIS’s office in Glasgow for regular meetings.

We welcome and support applications from a range of backgrounds including lived experience.

The post is funded for 12 months, with a further year of funding indicated by the Scottish Government at this stage.

As a leading improvement and innovation centre in Scotland, at CELCIS we work to improve the lives of children and young people in need of care and protection, and their families and carers. We do this by supporting people and organisations responsible for their care to make changes in services and in the practices and skills they use, all based on the needs and experiences of children and young people.

Change-makers sought!

This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of the CELCIS Protecting Children programme supporting the improvement of child protection within the context of GIRFEC in Scotland.

We drive forward improvements by working in partnership to support systemic and strategic changes in processes, procedures, policy, planning and practice, carrying out a number of crucial functions in order to support Child Protection Committees (CPCs) to identify and manage the risk to children and young people, and to monitor and improve performance.

You will work alongside key stakeholders to support the delivery of the national Child Protection Improvement Programme (CPIP) and support the work of Child Protection Committees Scotland (CPCS) in delivering the revised National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021). This role provides professional support to CPCS and its sub-groups with a view to making a positive difference in the lives of children and young people.

CPCS brings together multi-agency knowledge and expertise to the development, promotion and continuous improvement of public policy and best practices for the protection of children and young people across Scotland. It plays a leading role in the development and promotion of child protection policy and agrees on common standards and efficient and effective procedures. CPCS informs national child protection policy and practice, working alongside the Scottish Government to contribute to improved outcomes.

The successful candidate must have significant experience in Child Protection practice and strong knowledge of the sector and workforces responsible for supporting ‘looked after’ children in Scotland, and bring to this role a range of skills including negotiation, relationship building and communication skills.

Working knowledge of the role and function of a Child Protection Committee and the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021) is essential.

We welcome and support applications from a range of backgrounds including lived experience.

The post is funded for 12 months, with a further year of funding indicated by the Scottish Government at this stage.

As a leading improvement and innovation centre in Scotland, at CELCIS we work to improve the lives of children and young people in need of care and protection, and their families and carers. We do this by supporting people and organisations responsible for their care to make changes in services and in the practices and skills they use, all based on the needs and experiences of children and young people.

Please note, Colleges Scotland operates a Hybrid Working Policy and whilst this post is based in Stirling, the successful candidate would not necessarily need to be in the office on a full-time basis.

College Employers Scotland is the body through which the Scottish Government’s Policy of National Bargaining is delivered and implemented by the collective employers in the college sector, in partnership with trade unions.

To enable us to effectively support our members to achieve their collective ambitions and ensure they have the workforce and resources to deliver excellence for students, we have decided to bring in additional resources to directly support and progress the National Bargaining agenda. We are therefore looking to recruit a second National Bargaining Lead with individual responsibility for support staff (GMB, UNISON and Unite) negotiations.

Reporting to the Director of College Employers Scotland, you will build and maintain effective relationships with the relevant trade unions allowing you to develop and secure agreement at both a strategic and operational level to support the programme of National Bargaining and establish, agree and implement national conditions of service for Scotland’s colleges. You will also ensure effective interaction, and establishment and maintenance of productive relationships, with relevant senior sector, Scottish Government and Scottish Funding Council stakeholders to ensure the delivery of a sustainable and ‘fit for the future’ college workforce.

The successful candidate will be an experienced HR professional and a solution-focused negotiator with the ability to demonstrate a track record of success in trade union negotiations and dispute resolution, coupled with relevant experience of, and a passion for, the consultation processes. With the ability to operate effectively and rationally in a highly politicised environment, you will be an accomplished communicator who possesses significant personal drive and resilience and is able to respond creatively to new developments, adjusting priorities accordingly.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity that will directly support a sector involved in increasing inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Scotland.

If you would like to find out more about the role, please use this link.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Vicky Wilson (vwilson@protcol.co.uk).

An exciting opportunity to be part of a growing and evolving award-winning Charity which pushes boundaries and works to change the landscape for children & families in Drumchapel and beyond. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will lead, manage and co-ordinate all operational aspects of the Charity.

3D Drumchapel is a Charity which has been working with children and families in Drumchapel and surrounding areas for 25 years. We journey with children, families and communities to build strong foundations for families to thrive. We aim to strengthen family relationships, support parents to be the best parents they can be, improve family health & wellbeing, support children's development and build capacity in communities for family support delivery. Our services include a perinatal programme, parent & child sessions, parenting programmes, learning & development sessions, outdoor play, peer support groups, 1-1 support, family support in schools and practical support including Bairn Necessities which redistributes clothing and equipment for 0-5 years. We also lead the Drumchapel Children & Families Network which brings together children & families, third sector, social work, health, education, police and housing to work together to improve outcomes for children and families in Drumchapel.

The role

Our Head of Operations post is a new role with the responsibility to lead, manage and co-ordinate all operational aspects of the Charity including people, service delivery, funding, finance, partnerships, impact, communication, policies & procedures and systems & processes.

What we are looking for

We are looking for someone with a passion to create change for children and families and who follow our values of INTEGRITY, LOVE, EXCELLENCE & COLLABORATION with the following skills and experience –

Skills -

• Demonstrable leadership and organisational skills with ability to manage and shape development
• Proven people management skills including developing and inspiring individuals to excel and reach their potential
• Strong financial skills with ability to effectively manage budgets
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills, verbal and written
• Ability to assess service delivery impact and implement improvements
• Ability to work creatively, innovatively and flexibly
• Analytical mindset with experience developing robust systems, clear procedures and effective controls
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work and delegate in a busy and dynamic environment
• Ability to lead and manage change

Experience –

• Demonstrable experience in successfully leading and managing teams
• Significant record of good working practice with families in a relevant setting
• Experience of managing various processes and systems and using management information effectively
• Experience of managing complex budgets
• Experience and success securing external funding
• Good record of facilitating effective partnership working
• Track record of evaluating and assessing impact and implementing improvement actions

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a skilled, supportive and inspiring team working with children and families to make a real difference and change outcomes in Drumchapel and beyond. You will be joining our team at a pivotal time, and will have the unique opportunity to manage and develop service delivery as we grow, seek to break new ground and take 3D Drumchapel to the next level.

What we offer

• Competitive salary with incremental rises
• 6% employer pension
• 35 days annual leave which grows with length of service (includes 10 days public holidays)
• Flexible working in line with the needs of the Charity
• Opportunities for growth & development including comprehensive induction & training programme, coaching & mentoring, support & supervision, appraisals and team development
• Nurturing environment

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen within the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) for a Net Zero Delivery Director. The SEC has already published its Net Zero Toolkit and Check List and is currently consulting on its Net Zero Action Plan 2023-30.

Your role will be to lead the delivery of the ambitious Net Zero Action Plan, to find creative solutions to real challenges, to provide guidance and resources, to advise churches and liaise with national partners on this important agenda.

You will be part of a national team based at the General Synod Office in Edinburgh reporting to the Secretary General and empowering a team of Net Zero Delivery Managers across the SEC’s seven Dioceses in Scotland. The SEC comprises some 300 churches, with a total membership of about 25,000. The Provincial Environment Group is steering this important work and the postholder will provide progress reports and advice as necessary.

Are you an inspiring leader committed to delivering change to contribute to Net Zero targets? Can you navigate a complex organisation to deliver effective action? If so, the SEC wants to hear from you!

We are excited to be recruiting for a Head of Policy and Workforce. The next few years are likely to be seminal in the ongoing development of social work in Scotland, with significant change driven by reform through the National Care Service, the Promise, Mental Health Law Review, etc. With the Director, this post constitutes the senior management of the organisation, linking in directly with Social Work Scotland’s Board, local authority Chief Social Work Officers and key partners (such as the Office of the Chief Social Work Advisor) to identify, shape and participate in the national agenda for social work.

The Head of Policy and Workforce has a broad remit, providing operational social work insight and expertise across many issues, including workforce planning, leadership, learning and development, management and wellbeing. The role has responsibility for overseeing one or more national projects currently hosted by Social Work Scotland, and line managing other members of the team. The role works closely with the Director to inform the future of the organisation, and engage in a range of key national meetings, to ensure the social work profession is properly represented, in line with the membership’s positions.

If successful in securing the post, you will have the opportunity to build relationships with the leadership of the social work profession in Scotland, in operations, regulation, advocacy, policy, education and academia. You will lead a team of Policy and Practice Leads and Advisors to ensure the wider connecting themes that exist across the profession are reflected in the work that we do at the national level. Through these relationships you, and the team you will lead, will have a key role in steering the profession through its continuous process of change and development, identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation. You will be a visible representative of the profession at the national level, and you will help others to articulate Social Work Scotland’s positions.

At the core of Social Work Scotland is a commitment to assisting the profession be the best it can be for the individuals, families and communities who need social work or social care support; the Head of Policy and Workforce role is central to us delivering on that commitment. The successful applicant for this role will be a high achiever, able to manage multiple threads and tasks, be passionate about social work and able to instil that enthusiasm and dedication to wider groups to effect meaningful change.

To apply for this post, please submit a covering letter/email and a completed application form. Your covering letter should be between 800 and 1000 words and should set out why you want the job, and summarise how you meet the job’s ‘Person Specification’. Please state in your application form if you do want us to contact references prior to interview. Secondments welcome.

Do you want to play a lead role at the heart of an organisation which makes a real difference to people’s lives?

If you’d love to lead an innovative and varied suite of programmes which improve outcomes for young people, then this could be the job for you!

About the role

This is a newly created role, due to organisational growth. We’re looking for someone to lead our new Skills and Development ‘pillar’, by bringing together some of our existing young people’s projects and services, and driving further opportunities.

This includes our:

• Keys programmes – Key to Potential, Key to College and Key to Work – which support young people towards positive destinations
• Our Creative Natives programme, a space where we support young people to grow their creative confidence, skills and connections in a design studio.

About you

You will have a knack for translating strategic aims into operational reality, and be keen to use your excellent management skills to create opportunities for young people to reach their potential. You’ll relish the opportunity to be in ‘from the start’ of this new pillar, building on our existing areas of expertise, and be able to identify and innovate potential areas for development.

Your skills in bringing people along with you will be invaluable, enabling you to support your team and engage with partners to create positive, innovative programmes and projects which contribute to achieving our strategic aims.

How we’ll support you

You’ll be supported by an experienced Director of Services, and join a collaborative, knowledgeable senior management team, who will support you to develop and grow in your role. You’ll also have access to wider Cyrenians’ support, including our learning programme, and staff wellbeing services.

About Cyrenians

At Cyrenians we tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness by taking a values-led and relationships-based approach to delivering our services. You can find out more about our organisation and our impact online.

Our values

Compassion | Respect | Integrity | Innovation

Achievement Bute is a SCIO working on the Isle of Bute which aims to

• support and encourage all children, regardless of background and ability, to enjoy themselves whilst achieving things they may not have otherwise done;
• provide support to children and young people with disabilities and their families living on the Isle of Bute;
• provide activities that are accessible to ALL children and young people on the island.

Achievement Bute provides a wide range of inclusive arts and play activities for children and young people on Bute. This includes out-of-school clubs, youth groups, themed play weeks; multi-media performance based projects and outdoor activities. We also provide a dedicated Family Support Service, registered with the Care Inspectorate, a Youth volunteering Programme and a Confidential Counselling Service.

Due to the retirement of Achievement Bute’s longstanding Director, we are seeking to appoint a new Director to provide leadership of the organisation, and to be responsible for the charity’s impact, development, management and sustainability.