Children in Scotland is currently seeking an experienced Communications Officer to join our collaborative and driven Communications & Marketing Team.

Children in Scotland has numerous functions that support the children’s sector in Scotland - from membership services and events, to policy and participation activities, as well as delivering a number of services (Enquire, Reach, Resolve, My Rights, My Say). The Communications Officer will play an important role in raising awareness of both the organisation, and the key issues facing the sector – through content marketing activity and media engagement, and as Editor of our Insight member publication.

We are looking for a great team player who enjoys the process of collaboration to achieve creative and engaging communications. They will take a highly organised and proactive approach to their responsibilities, and have a close eye for detail.

We would love to hear from candidates with experience of editing and producing publications, and a strong understanding of digital communications. A background in journalism, or a content creation role with a similar emphasis on writing and editing skills is preferred.

The successful candidate will be ready to hit the ground running, but will be offered an excellent induction and support through the first few months. Our commitment to staff wellbeing is reflected in our flexible and hybrid working policies, our organisational wellbeing working group, regular line manager one-to-ones, and quarterly in-person all-staff away days. They will join a brilliant group of supportive staff who are passionate about making a difference to children’s lives and work hard to achieve this.

Please read our full job description for a complete outline of the responsibilities and criteria for this role. This can be found in the recruitment pack on our website.

About Children in Scotland

Giving all children in Scotland an equal chance to flourish is at the heart of everything we do.

By bringing together a network of people working with and for children, alongside children and young people themselves, we offer a broad, balanced and independent voice. We create solutions, provide support and develop positive change across all areas affecting children in Scotland. We do this by listening, gathering evidence, and applying and sharing our learning, while always working to uphold children’s rights.

Our range of knowledge and expertise means we can provide trusted support on issues as diverse as the people we work with and the varied lives of children and families in Scotland.

Diversity

Children in Scotland values the contribution of all our staff, whatever their background. Our recruitment decisions are based on fair, open processes, with appointment on merit. We welcome applications from everyone.

Further information

For an informal chat about the job, please contact Julie Thomson, Communications and Marketing Manager by email on jthomson@childreninscotland.org.uk

Job Purpose: Edinburgh Women’s Aid (EWA) is looking for a Community Refuges Support Assistant to join our team. In this role, you will provide safe and secure refuge accommodation for women and children who are at risk of domestic abuse.

EWA will fund access to an SVQ Social Services and Healthcare qualification at SCQF level 6.

Are you passionate about helping people to live a better life? Do you want to work for a charity where your health and wellbeing matter just as much as the people you support? Do you want to be part of a trauma-informed team where you will be supported to develop creative and flexible ways of working?

You don’t need to have previous experience or qualifications in this field. If you share our values, this could be the role for you!

At LinkLiving, our values and people are at the heart of everything we do including how we recruit our staff. It is important for us to find people who share our values, which are:

• Empathy (listen to and understand an individual’s needs and circumstances)
• Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)
• Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles)
• Caring (show kindness and concern for others)

LinkLiving is a Scottish health and wellbeing charity that supports people to manage or overcome the effects of negative life experiences (including trauma, mental health challenges, poverty and inequality) so that they can build on their strengths and aspirations in order to live their best possible lives. We support people through a range of models including:

• Personal development and employability programmes
• Self-help coaching
• Supported accommodation
• Care at home
• Housing support
• Befriending
• Social cafes

The Service

Our Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service provides visiting housing support and supported accommodation to people between 16 and 25 years old who live in Edinburgh.

We support young people, who have been in care, experienced homelessness, trauma or any disadvantage to overcome the challenges they may face whilst helping them to achieve their own individual goals and shape their lives for a more positive future.

This can involve finding a suitable home, learning the skills to manage it as well as possible, working through life challenges, trying new things, and learning to see the best in themselves and fulfil their unique potential. We also have supported flats which vary in the level of support offered to suit the needs of the people who live there.

The Job

We have an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and motivated Support Worker to join our team and improve the lives of people supported by our Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service.

In this role, you will be supported to work using a person centred and trauma informed approach and develop effective relationships with young people affected by a range of problems, supporting them to cope in difficult times and working towards a good life. You will provide emotional, practical and social support to enable people to live as independently as possible and make informed choices in all aspects of their lives.

In this role you will be responsible to manage your caseload independently and work flexibly around people's individual needs.

For a comprehensive list of the essential and desirable criteria required for this post, please refer to the Job Specification in the Job information Pack above.

What’s in it for you?

The benefits of being a LinkLiving employee (subject to the policies and benefit terms and conditions) include:

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually, and opportunity for annual performance related salary increases and discretionary non-consolidated pay awards, subject to terms of the scheme
• 35 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays) pro rata plus additional 3 days pro rata after 3 years’ service
• opportunity to buy and sell holiday
• enhanced company sick and family friendly pay
• access to paid SVQ qualifications and a wide range of learning and development opportunities
• funded Disclosure Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council memberships
• defined contribution pension scheme with generous employer contributions plus salary exchange and additional voluntary contribution options
• access to an Electric vehicle leasing scheme, subject to the terms of the scheme
• life assurance scheme providing death in service benefits to named beneficiaries
• healthcare cash plan for employees (and dependents) to support health and wellbeing plus discounts on shopping, restaurants, and other services
• employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate household dependants to support health, mental and financial well-being
• annual flu vaccination
• access to a savings and borrowing scheme
• cycle to work scheme
• monthly bus pass scheme
• season/travel ticket loan and much more!

For a full list of benefits available to employees, please see the following link - linkliving.org.uk/work-with-us

Successful applicants will be required to apply for registration with SSSC within 3 months of their start date and be registered within 6 months.

This post is subject to Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme registration. Link will meet the cost of any new PVG scheme membership or scheme record update.

Interested? If you have any questions about the role, please email jobs@linkhaltd.co.uk and we can arrange for someone from the service to call you for an informal chat.

To find out more about what LinkLiving do and to view the generous pay and benefits package, please visit our website at linkliving.org.uk

If you’re thinking about working in adult social care, download the Guide to adult social care jobs in Scotland for in-depth information on everything you need to know to get started. In addition, you can enrol on a free, online 6 week part-time tutor-supported ‘Introduction to a Career in Social Care’ course. The course introduces the area of social care and can be a stepping-stone to employment or further training.

Are you passionate about helping people to live a better life? Do you want to work for a charity where your health and wellbeing matter just as much as the people you support? Do you want to be part of a trauma-informed team where you will be supported to develop creative and flexible ways of working?

At LinkLiving, our values and people are at the heart of everything we do including how we recruit our staff. It is important for us to find people who share our values, which are:

• Empathy (listen to and understand an individual’s needs and circumstances)
• Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)
• Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles)
• Caring (show kindness and concern for others)

LinkLiving is a Scottish health and wellbeing charity that supports people to manage or overcome the effects of negative life experiences (including trauma, mental health challenges, poverty and inequality) so that they can build on their strengths and aspirations in order to live their best possible lives. We support people through a range of models including:

• Personal development and employability programmes
• Self-help coaching
• Supported accommodation
• Care at home
• Housing support
• Befriending
• Social cafes

The Service

Our Edinburgh Young Persons’ Service provides visiting housing support and supported accommodation to people between 16 and 25 years old who live in Edinburgh.

We support young people, who have been in care, experienced homelessness, trauma or any disadvantage to overcome the challenges they may face whilst helping them to achieve their own individual goals and shape their lives for a more positive future.

This can involve finding a suitable home, learning the skills to manage it as well as possible, working through life challenges, trying new things, and learning to see the best in themselves and fulfil their unique potential. We also have supported flats which vary in the level of support offered to suit the needs of the people who live there.

The Job

The Housing Project Worker will support young people to further explore their housing options and to access one of our accommodation options should this be appropriate. You will be responsible for supporting all aspects of our accommodation provision.

About You

We are looking for a dedicated and compassionate individual with a strong understanding of social care and housing support. To excel in this role, you should have a general standard of secondary education, including passes in English and Maths at Standard Grade level or equivalent. You will be willing to work towards and achieve an appropriate qualification, such as the SVQ Social Services and Healthcare SCQF Level 6, to maintain registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

You should bring significant knowledge and experience in social care, housing support, and supported living, as well as an understanding of welfare rights, including benefits, entitlements, and related procedures. Experience working with homeless young people is essential, alongside an awareness of the issues that impact individuals who are excluded or marginalised. A clear understanding of the diversity of service user groups is important, particularly for those experiencing learning difficulties, mental health challenges, substance misuse, offending behavior, or homelessness.

We are seeking someone with a commitment to building trusting relationships and a passion for supporting individuals in need. You will demonstrate a non-judgemental attitude, valuing the strengths and gifts of others while showing sensitivity and responsiveness to their emotional, social, and health needs. Sound decision-making skills and the ability to take responsibility for your choices are key, as is a willingness to embrace diversity and challenge exclusive or discriminatory views.

To thrive in this role, you should adopt a proactive approach to personal learning and development, staying up to date with practice issues, policies, and relevant legislation. A commitment to regular self-reflection will ensure you maintain expertise, and you should feel confident seeking feedback to improve your performance continuously.

Proficiency in using technology to maintain accurate records and reports is required, along with a flexible, reliable, and practical approach to work. This role involves working flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays, to meet the needs of the individuals we support.

We are looking for someone who is empathetic, committed, and passionate about supporting vulnerable young people and others facing challenging circumstances. If you share these values and possess the experience and skills outlined, we would be delighted to hear from you.

What’s in it for you?

The benefits of being a LinkLiving employee (subject to the policies and benefit terms and conditions) include:

• Competitive salary, reviewed annually, and opportunity for annual performance related salary increases and discretionary non-consolidated pay awards, subject to terms of the scheme
• 35 days’ holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays) pro rata plus additional 3 days pro rata after 3 years’ service
• opportunity to buy and sell holiday
• enhanced company sick and family friendly pay
• access to paid SVQ qualifications and a wide range of learning and development opportunities
• funded Disclosure Scotland and Scottish Social Services Council memberships
• defined contribution pension scheme with generous employer contributions plus salary exchange and additional voluntary contribution options
• access to an Electric vehicle leasing scheme, subject to the terms of the scheme
• life assurance scheme providing death in service benefits to named beneficiaries
• healthcare cash plan for employees (and dependents) to support health and wellbeing plus discounts on shopping, restaurants, and other services
• employee assistance programme for employees and their immediate household dependants to support health, mental and financial well-being
• annual flu vaccination
• access to a savings and borrowing scheme
• cycle to work scheme
• monthly bus pass scheme
• season/travel ticket loan and much more!

For a full list of benefits available to employees, please see the following link - linkliving.org.uk/work-with-us

Successful applicants will be required to apply for registration with SSSC within 3 months of their start date and be registered within 6 months.

This post is subject to Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme registration. Link will meet the cost of any new PVG scheme membership or scheme record update.

Further Information

Interested? If you have any questions about the role, please email jobs@linkhaltd.co.uk and we can arrange for someone from the service to call you for an informal chat.

To find out more about what LinkLiving do and to view the generous pay and benefits package, please visit our website at linkliving.org.uk

If you’re thinking about working in adult social care, download the Guide to adult social care jobs in Scotland for in-depth information on everything you need to know to get started. In addition, you can enrol on a free, online 6 week part-time tutor-supported ‘Introduction to a Career in Social Care’ course. The course introduces the area of social care and can be a stepping-stone to employment or further training.