The Cottage Family Centre was established in 1987. The focus of the work at the Centre is to provide a range of support to those families and individuals within family units who are vulnerable to social exclusion as a result of factors such as poverty, unemployment, poor housing, relationship breakdown, drug and alcohol problems and health related issues.

We are looking for an efficient and self-organised Finance & Business Support Worker to provide effective administrative & financial systems support for our organisation.

You will be expected to be competent in working with Microsoft based software, have a flexible approach, a good team worker and have the ability to work independently. As a first point of contact, you must also have a friendly and approachable manner.

Previous experience of using QuickBooks would be advantageous however training will be given

The individual must have at least 3 years’ experience in a similar role

and

Relevant Qualification required e.g.

Business Administration/Accounting

This post will be subject to a PVG Scheme Record check and 2 references.

A fantastic opportunity to support a national service across Scottish sport

This is an exciting time to contribute to the development and delivery of a national service which will support Scottish governing bodies of sport (SGBs) to effectively manage wellbeing and protection concerns for all who participate in sport. The service has been established through a strategic partnership between sportscotland, Children First and SGBs.

We are now looking for a passionate, skilled and confident individual to deliver and implement the service. As Project Worker, you will be part of a team working in partnership with SGBs to:

• support their management of wellbeing and protection concerns, and any subsequent investigations and disciplinary hearings effectively, in a timely and appropriate manner.
• build the knowledge, skills, and confidence of SGB staff and volunteers through training, mentoring and directed learning.
• facilitate the development of resources including practice guidance, tools and templates that support SGBs’ case management of wellbeing and protection concerns.

What kind of person will make a great Project Worker for the Case Management Support Service?

Knowing our shared ambition with sportscotland to ensure safer sport for everyone, you will be someone who:

• believes in the positive value of sport and is committed to making it a safe place for everyone.
• empowers people, staff and volunteers, through successes and challenges.
• is resilient, skilled, and knowledgeable about wellbeing and protection.
• builds strong relationships and works collaboratively with partners.
• is passionate about human rights and anti-discriminatory practice.
• has strong organisational skills and an ability to respond to complex and changing situations.
• assesses situations and provides clear advice.
• is determined and motivated in contributing towards building and delivering a new service to meet identified needs.

Above all else, the most important thing is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children, young people, and adults in sport at every turn.

If you have the above and possess a professional qualification and/or relevant experience from an appropriate sector, such as social work, law, human resources, sports governance, or volunteer management, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Base

You will work flexibly, in a hybrid approach, with a requirement to attend our offices, or those of our partners, for meetings and work as agreed with your line manager.

Salary, Conditions, Pension

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

Hours

Full time post of 35 hours per week funded initially until June 2025, with funding anticipated to be extended to June 2027.

The successful post-holder will be expected to operate in line with our values which are:

Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration and Compassion.

Overview

OPFS was founded in 1940 and since then we have been at the forefront of shaping policy and services in Scotland, that support single parents and their children. Today, there are over 144,000 single parent families in Scotland, 25% of all families. We involve parents, champion their voices and keep their needs at the heart of everything we do.

We want a society in which single parent families are treated equally and fairly. To help achieve this we provide a range of single parent tailored services. We do this through our advice channels, self-help pages on our website and our local community-based services. To create lasting change we involve single parents, experts by experience, to influence policies which challenge discrimination and judgmental attitudes, which will reduce child poverty and make services more accessible to all families.

The Policy and Influencing Lead will play a key role in supporting OPFS to achieve its mission – to amplify the voices of single parent families in their unique role as sole carers and providers and together challenge judgemental attitudes, poverty and inequality to achieve change.

You will have a central role leading OPFS policy and influencing work, including:

• Leading on government and parliamentary focused engagement work – and to support single parent led and developed campaigns.
• Developing strong policy recommendations co-produced with single parents across the range of issues affecting single parent families.
• Utilising existing research of relevance to single parent families to support OPFS’s external messaging and forward planning.
• Developing impactful policy influencing strategies to improve the lives of single parents, by influencing the Scottish and UK Governments as well as local authorities and the general public to achieve change.
• Working collaboratively with OPFS Comms team and colleagues and stakeholders to disseminate OPFS policy and research activities.

All roles at OPFS contribute to our mission of working with and for single parent families, providing support that enables them to achieve their potential and helping to create lasting solutions to poverty and barriers facing single parents and their children. Our core values of Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration and Compassion are at the heart of everything we do and underpin all aspects of our work.

Equal opportunities and family friendly employment

• OPFS aims to be an equal opportunity and family friendly employer and flexible working requests will be considered. OPFS has Investors In People status and Living Wage accreditation.

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 670,000 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

Our Residential Support Worker is a great opportunity for those experienced working in a care setting and looking to implement those skills with an aim to progress to the next stage of their career with our help. You'll manage risk in a way which empowers young people and builds resilience, whilst at the same time ensuring their safety. You'll demonstrate a high standard of person-centred practice, have good social care values and be a strong role model to our children and young people.

In return we'll offer you amazing opportunities to progress within our organisation.​​

We offer an in-depth induction process and training.

Alongside this, we'll enrol you in the qualifications which you need to work in the industry.​

Regular supervision with your line manager, team meetings etc. will ensure you feel part of our team. ​​

Once you've gained the relevant experience and qualifications you'll be ready to progress to the next step in your career with us.

About the service

Our Silverton Short Breaks Service offers support to children and young people from the ages 5yrs – 18yrs who have disabilities. We work to reduce the impact of the disability on the child's day to day life by providing support for them to participate, make choices, enjoy new experiences, make friendships and be part of their local community. At the same time parents and carers can have a much-needed break knowing their child is in a safe, fun and enriching environment.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the Residential Support Worker roles are;

• Provide lead case/care planning management, including assessing, reviewing and managing risk.
• Co-ordinating responsibilities within the service, with multi agency and producing family information, including analysis and written reports.
• Attendance at professional meetings including reviews, court work etc.
• Making sure our young people are safe and cared for when they are away from home.
• Assisting in all aspects of their daily lives and supporting their health and happiness.
• Supporting and participating with keyworkers to maintain an up-to-date Plan for young people.

Let's talk about you

Are you resilient and have a positive approach to change and challenge? We're looking for someone with a ‘can do' attitude to join our team. Ideally you'll have:

• Demonstrable experience of working in a care setting and developing positive relationships through trust.
• Application of a range of techniques to co-ordinate and communicate with service users and their families.
• Demonstrate a solution focused approach to address problems, individually and in a team setting.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience to respond to the challenging nature of the role.
• Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years of commencing employment with us, full support will be provided.
• Good to know