- Advertised from 25th April 2022
Role
Do you want to play a key role in an organisation which stands up for children and fights child poverty?
Join us as Policy and Advocacy Adviser to help us influence policy and practice changes in Scotland that help families meet their basic needs and allows children growing up in poverty to reach their potential.
At Save the Children we believe every child has the right to ensure that their basic needs are met, and to receive love, encouragement and help which enables them to reach their full potential. But poverty – families not having enough money to live on – prevents this from being a reality for more than 1 in 4 children in Scotland every year.
Not having enough money brings stress and anxiety for parents and children. Poverty can mean not getting to enjoy the same healthy, carefree, fun childhoods as others, and can create barriers for children to reach their full potential.
We need a vision for a society where every child grows up in a family with enough money to live with dignity; has the opportunity to play and to learn; and has a chance to shape our communities, policies and services.
No one organisation can tackle a problem of this scale alone. That's why we work with many others – children, young people, parents, partners, community leaders, schools and local organisations working with families – to fight for families to have the money they need and reduce the harm that poverty and inequality causes to children.
As Policy and Advocacy Adviser you will work collaboratively with our team and partners to build policy and advocacy opportunities that challenge progress and influence government and others to develop further solutions to tackle child poverty and its impact on early childhood.
You will:
• Develop and deliver ambitious and credible policy proposals to sustainably tackle child poverty in Scotland.
• Work as part of a small team to build the evidence base for change based on high quality analysis, research projects and evidence from families and children we're working with and for.
• Build and maintain expert knowledge on key Scottish Parliament and wider public affairs developments and engagement opportunities to inform our influencing work.
• Build and maintain external relationships with stakeholders in the political and policy communities and build a network of allies and partners on key issues
• Create opportunities for parents and children to shape policy solutions and influence decision-makers.
To be successful you will have:
• Experience of working within a social justice policy environment in Scotland and of securing national policy changes.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of political and policy structures and processes in Scotland and how to influence them.
• Experience working with the Scottish Parliament and a good knowledge and understanding of the processes.
• A strong track record in stakeholder engagement and have a wide networks of contacts across government, parliament and policy sectors.
• Ability to work collaboratively and innovatively with others and demonstrate proactive, positive and inclusive workplace behaviours.
Please Note: We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis so please do apply early to avoid disappointment.
Remote Working:
The majority of SCUK employees are currently working remotely within the UK in line with UK Government guidance. Commencing July 2021 we will transition to flexible and hybrid ways of working (i.e. a mixture of remote/home and office-based working) as social distancing restrictions ease.
We are happy to discuss flexible working options at interview.
Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:
Save the Children UK is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity in all aspects of our work both external and internal. We strive to be an inclusive employer and particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups such as returning parents or carers who are re-entering work after a career break, people who are LGBT+, from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition, with caring responsibilities, from different nations and regions, and from less advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds.
To see our full statement please visit this link: jobs.savethechildren.org.uk/our-policies/diversity
Application notes
To apply please visit our website
The Yard is an award-winning charity that runs adventure play services for children with disabilities and/or additional support needs and their families across Scotland.
We are seeking an experienced HR Manager who is passionate about driving positive change at The Yard. You will bring the expertise and gravitas to influence and support senior leadership on HR and cultural initiatives.
About the role:
Some of your key responsibilities will include:
• Ensuring The Yard maintains the roles, skills and experience to deliver on its strategic priorities
• Measure employee engagement and agree action plans to develop and improve organisational culture
• Ensuring our recruitment policies and processes embody our values and enable us to recruit people with the skills and qualities to meet our goals
• Developing and managing our renumeration policy
About you:
This job is for you if you have:
• Proven experience of HR management
• Can lead by example, fostering a culture of trust and respect
• Excellent communication and relationship building skills
• Ability to develop HR strategies aligning with our strategic plan
If our ethos inspires you and you are eager to bring your knowledge and experience to a team that is deeply committed to our purpose, we would love to have you on board.
If you would like to discuss the role with our Director of Resources, please let us know and we can arrange a call.
Benefits:
- 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave
- Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
- Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
- Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
- Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts.
Vulnerable children in the UK need your help
Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.
Last year, we helped more than 687,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.
Why Action for Children?
Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.
A bit about the role
You will be joining the team in our Employability Service. It provides support to young people aged 16-24, who have a range of barriers or needs.
Youthbuild (a construction training programme) works to tackle the underlying issues that might be preventing young people from entering and sustaining employment and capitalises on opportunities available. (is a construction training programme)
As an Employment Facilitator you'll be motivating, inspiring and directly supporting and delivering a range of both practical and vocational employability programmes aimed at young people to access, maintain and sustain future employment and further educational opportunities through the provision of a comprehensive in-house training programmes and work placements.
Key responsibilities will be:
- Managing and co-ordinating a caseload of young people, providing tailored interventions through group, coordinated or individual support.
- Delivering a range of group preparation for work modules that contribute to our overall employability programmes, promoting inclusion and allowing for individual learning styles.
- Adopting a key worker approach to support young people for up to 6 months from securing employment.
How you'll help to create brighter futures
Join us as an Employment Facilitator to help change the lives of young people in Edinburgh. You can grow your career by helping others to start out in theirs.
We are open to a variety of backgrounds. This could be your own first role after gaining a recent qualification. Or you could be looking to build on the experience you already have in youth work or employability. Either way, this is a great opportunity enhance life chances in local Edinburgh communities.
Key responsibilities include:
- Organising, coordinating, and leading the delivery of construction training sessions
- Delivering and/or coordinating practical 1–2-day sessions, examples, intro trades, taster sessions on practical skills and using tools and equipment.
- Working closely with colleagues to monitor the progress of trainees and plan training accordingly.
- Organising and implementing workload, including up to date records of activity, risk assessments and learner packs/certifications.
Let's talk about you
- It would be great if you have an SVQ 3 in Social Care, Guidance or equivalent – but we are very open to relevant or lived experience, rather than a qualification.
- You will be used to working in group settings with young people facing multiple barriers.
- You will have knowledge and understanding of young people facing unemployment.
- You need a full driving licence and access to a car to use for business.
We understand that there are a lot of jobs out there just now but if this role connects with you, and you really want to make a difference to the lives of young people, then we'd love to see your application.
Permanent and Freelance Therapists
- Part time
- £45,047 pro-rata
- On site: Within 60 mile radius of our office 111 Oxgangs Road N, Edinburgh, EH14 1ED
- Closing 5th January 2026
We are looking for a permanent therapist and a freelancer to join our Therapy Centre Team. We are open to considering a range of accredited therapists - art, music, drama, filial, play. If you are an experienced therapist with skills in working with children individually and in groups, we’d like to hear from you.
Scottish Adoption and Fostering is an established voluntary sector provider of specialist adoption services. We have built our reputation on the delivery of high quality and innovative services based on best practice. This is an exciting time to join the Agency as we expand our work to include a mainstream fostering service.
The permanent role is for 18 hours a week and will involve some travel to work with children and families within a 60-mile radius of our Edinburgh Office. We want to take a flexible approach so if there are therapists who can commit to a set number of hours a week that are fewer than 18 hours we would love to hear from you.
The freelance role is primarily to work with families in Glasgow and the West of Scotland, again we are flexible and could vary the number of hours for the right candidate.
Employer Liaison Officer
- Full time
- £28,124 – £37,117
- On site: Highland & Moray
- Closing 11th January 2026
Are you passionate about making a difference for young people? Do you thrive on building relationships and creating opportunities? If so, this role is for you!
As an Employer Liaison Officer, you'll be the vital link between Barnardo's Works Highland and local employers, helping young people aged 14–24 take their first steps into the world of work. This is more than a desk job – it's about being out in the community, opening doors, and changing lives.
What You'll Do
- Connect & Collaborate: Build strong partnerships with employers and turn them into real opportunities.
- Know Your Market: Understand the local job landscape and spot chances for growth.
- Champion Young People: Support them into work placements, jobs, and apprenticeships that last.
- Make Things Happen: Organise networking events, job clubs, and employer engagement activities.
What We're Looking For
- Excellent communication and networking skills.
- A proactive, people-focused approach.
- Experience in employability or youth work is great – but passion and drive matter most!
Why Barnardo's Works?
Join a small, dedicated team making a big impact. Every day is different, and every success story starts with you.
Interested?
Find out more at barnardos-ets.org.uk or check out our Facebook page: Barnardo's Works Highland.
For questions, contact Barbara Brown at barbara.brown@barnardos.org.uk or call 07738 262843.
Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
Pay & Reward Framework
We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.
For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay.
Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.
Benefits
Workplace Offer: What it means for you
Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.
- Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
- Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata
- The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our HolidayPlus scheme
- A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
- Service related sick pay from day 1
- Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
- Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
- Cycle2work scheme
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
- 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
- Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
- Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
- Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer
*T&C's apply based on contract
About Barnardos
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
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