This is an exciting opportunity to join our team in Midlothian which is expanding as a result of successful new funding in the areas of mental health and kinship care. You will join an existing team working with families with experience of parental substance use, trauma, poverty and poor mental health, amongst other factors.

We work alongside children and their families, offering individual and whole family supports, peer led groups and connection through community partners. This is an exciting yet demanding role which will require you to get alongside children and their families where, when and how best suits them, offering the right support at the right time.

What kind of Children 1st team member will you be?

Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• Resilient, skilled and knowledgeable, who wants to transform children’s lives
• Determined to support children to stay safely with their own family
• Big hearted and courageous
• Able to build strong relationships and to manage difficult conversations
• Calm and clear minded during times of challenge or distress
• Kind and compassionate
• Passionate about Childrens Rights

If you have a professional qualification in a relevant area such as Social Work, Health, Teaching or equivalent in Child Care/Social Care or related area, accredited counselling qualification, or other relevant qualification at SCQF level 9 or higher then we want to hear from you. In particular, we are seeking to further enhance our diversity from the perspective of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender and disability.

Base

You will be based in our Dalkeith office and will work with families across Midlothian. There will be some flexibility to work at home when this suits the needs of families and/or the service .

Salary, Conditions, Pension

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 9 public holidays), flexible working opportunities and a contributory pension scheme.

Further Information

We have two posts available:

One fixed term 35 hour post funded initially for 12 months initially (with possibility of extension) and one fixed term 17.5 hour post funded initially until 31 March 2025 (with possibility of extension).

(if you are applying for the part time post, can you please note this on your supporting statement/CV)

hours to be worked flexibly across the week to meet the needs of families and the service. However, Thursdays are our ‘core day’ when essential service activities take place such as team meetings.

We are an established, respected and trusted organisation that has been rooted in the heart of our community for many years. We use relationship-focussed, play-based, interactions to focus on the wellbeing of children and families, as well as the regeneration of the local area.

We are passionate about play and what it can do for the individual, family and community. We inspire both children and families to overcome their difficulties, build strengths and resilience and fulfil their goals more effectively.

We support the people of Armadale to help shape and build their own community. Our success is dependent upon the creativeness, enthusiasm, passion, experience, knowledge and empathy of our staff. All of our work is about prevention and early intervention. We work in partnership with a wide-range of stakeholders and are well connected and trusted, both as a strategic partner, that has the pulse of the local community and as a key delivery member of the Armadale Regeneration Team.

This job has a key role within the organisation to ensure we achieve our aims, and will:

• Promote positive emotional wellbeing for our service users

• Immerse children in high quality play opportunities

• Develop & deliver our family learning and adult support groups

• Offer bespoke one-to-one family support

• Practice in a way that is Trauma Informed

• Establish and maintain strong networks & positive relationships with partner agencies

• Lead our Pantry service with dignity

• Ensure that we continue to deliver, as a key anchor agency in the local Regeneration Team

• Signpost to relevant partner agencies and maintain a sound local knowledge

• Work with colleagues to develop and maintain our outdoor space

• Be inclusive and diverse, to minimise inequalities

• Contribute to our social media presence

You will be:

• Enthusiastic, passionate and caring

• Creative, engaging and motivated

• Experienced in working with families

• Flexible in your approach to work

• Loves play and understands its importance

• Positive about working and play outdoors

• Fun loving and enthusiastic in your approach to work

• Able to establish authentic connections with people

• Professional at all times

• Experienced in working within and contributing to, multiagency teams

• Excellent at organisational skills, as this role is varied and fast paced

• Approachable and non-judgemental

• Passionate about fairness and equality

• Able to work autonomously and take ownership and responsibility for delivering results

• A reflective practitioner who is keen to develop, learn and grow

In return we offer:

• A fun workplace

• A competitive salary

• 32 days annual leave

• An organisation that is committed to ensuring staff wellbeing

• Enhanced maternity, sick pay and stakeholder pension

Qualifications/experience: No specific qualification requirement, but experience of family and partnership work, is essential

About Bridges Partnership- Glasgow

The Bridges Partnership is jointly provided by Aberlour Glasgow Family Support Service and Shelter Scotland to provide support to mothers and their children living in the North East of Glasgow areas who are or have been affected by domestic abuse.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for a Child and Family Worker to join our team, working 37.5 hours per week. As this post includes an unsocial hour’s allowance, you are required to be flexible with your approach and available to work weekends, evenings and public holiday to meet the needs of the families you would support. This post is funded until 31st March 2025, however we are actively seeking further funding to extend this further.

As a Child and Family Worker within our Bridges Partnership project you will;

• Undertake risk assessment and work to develop safety plans

• Advocate in statutory meetings, court settings and with other agencies on behalf of women and children who have or are experiencing domestic abuse.

• Using the safe and together model, you will develop reports to be used in courts in relation to civil and criminal proceedings.

• Work in partnership with the parents, either on a 1:1 basis or in groups to enhance their parenting skills and build their confidence

• Work with children and parents in a therapeutic and trauma-based approach to help them reach their full potential.

• Provide housing information and assistance

• Inform women and children of their rights

• Signposting and helping each mother to access additional services as needed.

You will have relevant experience and a sound knowledge of domestic abuse and the impact on the children and adult survivor and relevant theory in attachment and parenting. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding and commitment to women and children’s rights. You will hold a relevant professional qualification at SCQF level 7 or above. It is desired that you are IDDA trained or are willing to work towards this.

Find out more information on what we are looking for in candidates here.

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. Have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees

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

Scottish Love in Action harnesses the compassion and generosity of people in Scotland, to support the poorest and most vulnerable children and young people in India. We are a local charity with a global impact.

We believe every child deserves to thrive. For 24 years we’ve been working with local partners in South India to help create life-long change for children, their families and their communities.

In 2025 we celebrate 25 years of giving children the opportunity to thrive. We’re looking for someone to join us on this journey.

We’re looking for someone to write copy for print and online marketing to maximise Scottish Love in Action’s profile and engage new audiences with our work. To lead digital fundraising activities, maximising online presence to encourage donor growth, engagement and retention across a range of digital platforms.

Charity experience is welcome but not required. We recognise transferrable skills.