Do you want to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people with a learning disability and or
Autism?
We have an exciting opportunity for a family focused, warm friendly, resourceful and empathetic individual to join
our newly extended Disability Service as a Family Worker.
About Options Ayrshire
Options Ayrshire is a busy respite care unit for children and young people with additional support needs, including
complex learning and physical disabilities. As well as providing short residential breaks the service offers
outreach to families and is also involved in the managing and running of an after school club as well as a busy
Easter and summer play scheme. Our disability support service offers 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 who specialise in taking care of
children with disabilities. Our service is very much a ‘home from home’ for the children who stay with us
there.
We are excited to announce that we are extending our Options Ayrshire Service to include a family service. This new
service, where this post will be based, will be working with families either in their own homes or out in the
community to support with both emotional and practical help.
What we are looking for....
As a Family Worker, you will offer emotional and direct practical help to families experiencing short- or long-term
challenges. You will work with families; identifying areas where support is required, working with them to
co-produce a family support plan which will be individually tailored to their child’s and family’s needs. You
will agree outcomes and personal goals within the child’s plan.
The role of the Family Worker will be diverse and wide ranging and will include the following:
- Promote and develop healthy routines, including sleep.
- Provide practical support with personal
care.
- Support the development of play routines.
- Support parents to address difficulties and
reduce risks.
- Build upon parents existing knowledge and equip them with enabling strategies and
tools.
- Support families to have positive and rewarding relationships.
- Support families to
implement structure, identify triggers and understand the function and purpose of their child’s behaviour and
reduce challenges from escalating.
Along with families, liaise and work with partners and colleagues from Social Work, Health and Education to assess,
review and evaluate progress.
You will have experience of supporting children and families with a learning disability and Autism. You will have
up-to-date knowledge of best practice and supporting tools and interventions.
You will manage your own diary, and your hours will be 20 per week, worked flexibly between 7am and 10pm, Monday to
Sunday. The days and hours worked will be agreed with families within the family support plan. There may also
occasionally be a need to provide additional support out with these times and to be able to respond to crises
and family stress.
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.