Aberlour Options Lothian, Prestonpans

Aberlour Options Lothian offers a range of short break services to children and young people with complex needs. We offer a safe, homely environment for a child to come and stay for a short break that gives their families a rest from their caring role. During that break, children enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with our staff. Our service is very much a ‘home from home’ for the children who stay with us. We are within easy commuting distance of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian with access via the number 26, 111 and 124 bus routes.

The difference we make to families:

“It’s not easy to accept that sometimes you need help. We had reached rock bottom but Aberlour Options Lothian was that lifesaving buoyancy aid.

It wasn't easy accepting leaving my son there especially in the early days when it was new to everyone. It is a safe and welcoming place and a second home in many respects now. Somewhere he is safe, cared for and has loads of fun with the carers and other children.

It’s not just about respite; we have received help with managing behaviour, preparing for hospital visits and operations. Help and advice when there seemed to be no one else listening or who understands. It’s hard to look back to where we were but no we wouldn't be here today without their help and support.

To sum it up: Saved our lives. Peace of mind. Finally a rest.”

What we are looking for....

As part of a small team, you will ensure that the highest level of physical and emotional care is provided to the children and young people. Experience in this type of work is preferred however we will consider all applications. The requirement is to work mainly weekends with occasional week nights, depending on the needs of our young people. Weekends can include sleepovers and wakened night shifts. There are various part time hours available which can be discussed at interview.

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. At Aberlour we have strong values - Respect, Integrity, Innovation and Challenging - which influence our everyday work. If you choose to apply for this role please tell us about your values in your supporting statement.

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.

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 or work environment?

About Aberlour Options Fife - Respite and Outreach

Options Fife Respite and Outreach provides a range of flexible support through outreach and overnight short breaks at weekends, evenings and school holidays to children and young people with complex learning disabilities and autism. We offer a high-quality child centred service providing positive and enabling experiences for the young people, supporting them through the challenges and complexities that enable them to work towards their individual outcomes and personal goals. We work closely with families and other professionals in providing support tailored around the child’s plan.

What we are looking for....

We are looking to recruit two Young People’s Worker Nights, working four nights on (10 hours per night) every second week. You will play a fundamental role in ensuring that the young people you work with have the best possible experience in working towards their objectives in line with their care plan, supporting children to progress within their individual outcomes. Whilst not without its challenges and demands, this is a highly rewarding role, where the work we do has a demonstrable impact on each young person's progress. Using a person-centred approach, you will provide enabling support ensuring the highest level of physical, personal, and emotional care. We support young people who have epilepsy, need personal care and need gastrostomy feeding. Aberlour, in conjunction with NHS, provides all staff with training.

We are looking for candidates who have a passion for working with young people with disabilities. It is desired but not essential that candidates hold a relevant qualification at an SCQF level 7 or above. Due to SSSC requirements you may be required to gain qualifications after starting with Aberlour.

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. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity on our website.

About Aberlour …

We are a values driven organisation delivering over 40 services across Scotland supporting children, young people and families.

The rights of children and young people are at the forefront of decision making and policy development in Scotland thanks to the introduction of the Promise and the UNCRC. Our work aims to ensure the voices and views of children and young people we work with are at the centre of decision making and policy development within Aberlour and across Scotland.

What we are looking for...

You will support Aberlour’s commitment to elevate and amplify the voices of children, young people and families. Working alongside other members in the team you will develop and lead on specific rights and participation programmes of work.

You will also support staff to ensure that all Aberlour services are able to demonstrate the active and meaningful participation of children, young people and families in decision making, policy making and service planning.

You will have experience of working in a social care environment supporting children and young people and you will have a track record working directly with children and young people to amplify their voices and views. You will have a good understanding of children and young people’s rights and the UNCRC. You will also have experience of managing and motivating staff. Please see the job description on our website for further details about the role along with the required qualification level and knowledge.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team, 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, life assurance worth 3x salary and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.

About Aberlour …

We are a values driven organisation delivering over 40 services across Scotland supporting children, young people and families.

We have a strong record of using knowledge and evidence from our work to campaign for the rights of children, young people and families across Scotland. Furthermore, the views of our children, young people and families are critical in shaping the support they receive as well as helping us shape internal polices and influence national policy makers.

What we are looking for...

You will work with our rights and participation team to identify appropriate ways for children, young people and families to share their views and experiences to help influence and inform Aberlour’s policy, influencing and campaigning work.

You will help analyse the political landscape to assess legislative and policy changes that impact the work of Aberlour.

You will have knowledge of the current Scottish political systems at a national and local level particularly relating to policy areas that impact on children and young people such as the UNCRC and The Promise. You will have experience working in the third sector along with skills in research and analysis. You will have a track record working directly with children and young people to amplify their voices and views to influence policy and decision making.

Please see the job description for further details on our website about the role along with the required qualification level.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team, 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, life assurance worth 3x salary and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.