This post will lead the day-to-day operational delivery of Scottish Families national Helpline and ‘Click &
Deliver’ take-home Naloxone service, along with supporting the delivery of our national Bereavement Support
service. The role also involves partner/referral pathway development across Scotland to promote family support
and harm reduction for anyone affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use.
The post will be based at Robertson House, Glasgow – Scottish Families’ national office. (Note that staff are
currently working between home and office). This is a national post which includes some travel across Scotland.
Due to the nature of this post, access to a car is essential. Hours worked will be in line with service delivery
requirements, including evenings and occasional weekends when required.
The post will be part of the Scottish Families’ staff team and be supervised by the Senior National Family Support
Practitioner. The post line manages and is supported by Helpline Support Workers (currently two posts, 2.0 FTE)
and Helpline Volunteers.
The post-holder will be responsible for leading the day-to-day operational delivery of the Helpline, which is a
single access point for information, signposting and listening support, and where appropriate a referral can be
facilitated to Scottish Families local and national support services and to external partner family support
services. The helpline encompasses multi-channel access including responding to inbound calls, emails, webchats,
online website portal requests and providing outbound calls when callbacks requested. The role is responsible
for fulfilling Click and Deliver naloxone requests, naloxone reporting, delivering overdose awareness and
naloxone training, and maintaining and sharing knowledge about emerging drug trends and harm reduction. The post
also includes supporting the delivery of our national Bereavement Support Service, which provides listening
support and information to anyone aged 16+ who lost someone through a drug-related or alcohol-related
bereavement. The service also facilitates access to accredited counsellors across Scotland who provide a
programme of bereavement counselling. Finally, the role involves developing and maintaining partner/referral
pathways across Scotland.
We are seeking applicants who are educated to degree level in a relevant subject or equivalent professional
qualification/ experience; with experience of providing listening support via telephone, webchat and online chat
methods, and providing support in a health and social care, mental health, substance use or trauma support
service/ organisation. Candidates should have experience of line management and team support, whilst experience
of naloxone ‘train the trainer’ training is an advantage. Applicants should have knowledge of issues for
families affected by substance use and bereavement, as well as drug and alcohol awareness. It is helpful to have
knowledge of emerging substance use trends and harm reduction. We are seeking an excellent listener with strong
organisational skills and the ability to support individuals from diverse demographics.
You can find out more information about our work in ‘The Cost of Loving, our Strategic Plan 2023-26 and
ourImpact Report 2023-24.