“I lost my kids a few times they went to foster care and I would have gone to a place like this if I had the chance. This is badly needed. I hid my drug use and people only found out about it when I had my baby and she was in withdrawal. I loved my daughter and would have welcomed something like this.”

A mother who has been supported by Aberlour

About Aberlour’s Mother and Child Recovery House

Aberlour is proud to be working with the Scottish Government for our dedicated Mother and Child Residential Recovery House based in Dundee. Our service is designed to enable children of women with problematic substance use to stay with mothers during their recovery. Aberlour’s approach to rehabilitation aims to deliver positive outcomes for women and their children.

We support families using the Parents Under Pressure (PuP) program which combines psychological principles relating to parenting, child behaviour and parental emotion regulation within a case management model. The program is highly individualized to suit each family. Parents are given their own Parent Workbook. For many parents, this becomes a personal journal of their treatment experience. The overarching aim of the PuP program is to help parents facing adversity develop positive and secure relationships with their children. Within this strength-based approach, the family environment becomes more nurturing and less conflictual.

“Too many women with problem drug and alcohol issues are having their young children taken into care and many other women won’t engage with support agencies for fear of their children being removed. The new houses will improve outcomes for these women and children; reduce deaths of mothers with problem drug use; avoid family breakdown and increase the likelihood of children being cared for by their parents.” Aberlour Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly

What we are looking for....

We are looking to recruit a Residential Support Worker to be part of trauma responsive team delivering and implementing residential recovery support for women and their children (0-5 years) to help them reach their aspirations.

You will work 37.5 hours per week as part of a 6 week rolling residential rota which will include mornings, evenings, weekends, nights, public holidays and 12 hour shifts.

Ideally you will have experience of direct work with vulnerable families to support improved capacity for women and children and of working collaboratively with other professional agencies and a working knowledge of drug/alcohol use and its effects on women and children.

Applicants should hold a relevant professional qualification at least SCQF level 7 or equivalent knowledge acquired by other means with a willingness to obtain the required qualifications for SSSC Registration.

Individuals with Lived Experience of alcohol or drug use are strongly encouraged to apply for these positions where they will gain experience and training to enhance their knowledge and skills. People with lived experience are vital members of the team delivering this service to the women and children.

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.

About Aberlour Options Borders

At Aberlour Options Borders we provide a range of support services for young people up to the age of 18 years who have various disabilities. Our aim is to provide families with a short break from their caring role through the provision of high-quality child-centred services which provide a positive experience for the young people we work with.

We have a strong reputation for supporting young people with high levels of complex needs, supporting them to grow, learn and maximise their potential. We believe that every child has the right to flourish. Our Young People’s Workers play a fundamental role in ensuring that the young people they work with have the best possible experience in working towards their objectives in line with their care plan. 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 to support children in their daily living and within the local community.

What we are looking for....

We have an opening for a Young People’s Worker on a permanent basis. Usual hours would be around 23 per week during term time for 42 weeks of the year and 35 hours per week for 10 weeks of the year (school holidays). Working an average of 25.30 hours per week per year. Hours are worked between 3pm and 10pm on weekdays. Weekends open full time, hours worked between 12pm Friday and 5pm Sunday. Holiday weeks are full time and shifts can be around the clock. You will be part of a residential respite rota which will require you to work days, evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays. There will be a requirement to do sleepover shifts and these will be paid at £65 per sleepover.

Shift patterns vary. For 10 weeks of the year during school holidays, shifts are available around the clock. Standard shifts would be 8-4.15pm or 4-10pm. Sleepovers are also a part of this. For 42 weeks of the year, we work on a pattern of Wed-Sunday one week and Friday to Sunday the following week. Wednesday-Friday is afternoons and evenings. Standard weekend shifts are 8-4.15pm or 4-10pm. Sleepovers are also a part of this.

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.

A Day in the Life of a Young People’s Worker

Our day usually starts around 7.30am with the morning routine. We support our young people to get ready for their day ahead assisting with all aspects of personal hygiene. We then prepare breakfast and medications for each of our young people and organise the day’s activities. We plan mornings out, considering the health and safety requirements for each activity we undertake. After lunch we prepare an in-house activity. This also allows staff to complete daily paperwork such as weekend logs for our young people, updating care plans and review reports etc. In the evening we

cook a healthy dinner considering our knowledge of our young peoples’ likes and dislikes and particularly if they have restricted diets.

"Aberlour Options provide a safe, fun and homely environment for respite for our son. He loves going to stay and asks daily when his next visit is" Parent

"Aberlour treat me like part of the family" Young Person

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 mental health and have the relevant qualifications or will be willing to work towards these.

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.

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 a Children’s Support Worker to work 18 hours per 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 Intensive Family Support Service

Our service supports families in the Dumfries and Galloway area who are struggling to cope. The families we work with may have a wide range of issues, which include drug and alcohol use within the family. As a Child and Family worker you would work directly with the whole family in various settings, such as their own homes, our dedicated base and other community locations.

You will be the trusted person they could talk about what they are going through at home. You whilst undertaking assessments to identify what support we can provide. You will work with the children and the family offering practical help, in the community, family home, liaising with partner agencies, schools and nurseries. Participate and lead group work sessions. Attending meetings, children’s hearings, school meetings & health appointments as required necessary. You will help establish routines and build life skills with families. Help families build parenting skills and confidence.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for someone to join our friendly and supportive team. You should have a sound knowledge of child development and be able to work with parents either individually or in groups to develop their parenting skills & confidence.

We are looking for two Child and Family Workers working 22.5 & 37.5 hours per week with the potential to be worked flexibly, evening & weekend work may be required dependant on the service need. An allowance is incorporated in the salary to support this requirement. These posts are offered on a fixed term basis until 31st March 2026.

We are looking for candidates who are passionate about supporting young people, families and communities, who are flexible and share our vision that collaborative working and relationship based early intervention is the best option for young people and families who are feeling overwhelmed or excluded. A current driving licence is an essential requirement of this post. However, if you have a disability which precludes you from holding a driving licence consideration will be given if alternative transport can be arranged.

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. 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 here.