Home-Start Clackmannanshire is a long standing, dynamic charity, striving to ensure every young child (under 12) has the best possible start in life locally. Raising a family has never been easy; our trained volunteers and staff are there to support families through challenging times. In Scotland, Home-Starts have over 1,500 volunteers supporting over 3,500 families and 6,500 children each year through compassionate, confidential help to parents/carers when they need us most. The parents/carers we support are often overwhelmed and isolated. They may be struggling with mental health, illness, disability, multiple births, poverty, domestic abuse, separation and/or trauma. We provide a bespoke support package of 1:1 in home and group services for families, helping them to cope with the stresses and strains of daily life and encourage them to build the skills, confidence, and strength they need to nurture their children for years to come.

In 2024, Action for Children, NHS (speech and language) and Educational Psychology launched an exciting new provision called Play Roots with the support and funding from our local Child Wellbeing Partnership. Play Roots is an enhanced 0-5 group provision for local families operating across four localities in Clackmannanshire weekly.

Purpose of the job

Play Roots has developed rapidly since the first group launched, with families directly informing our sessions, allowing us to ensure we are delivering a communities based, group support system, providing a nurturing and educational environment for children (0-5) and their parents/carers. Play Roots aims to enhance positive well-being, parent-child attachment, support early childhood development, and encourage wider community connections and changes for parental progression; providing the foundations for children and families to flourish long-term.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, driven practitioner, capable of coordinating the delivery of our four local groups to ensure their effective running, and maximising impact through groups supporting the development of children and parents/carers by creating fun and interesting learning environments/activities to enhance skills, promote emotional resilience, and encourage positive behaviours and routines. Central to this role is effectively liaising with partners and supporting our delivery team made up of staff from Home-Start Clackmannanshire, Action for Children, Educational Psychology, Speech and language, and a growing team of volunteers.

You will also:

• Contribute to the effective day to day operation of the scheme in accordance with the Home-Start Memorandum & Articles of Association, Home-Start, Standards & Methods of Practice, Home-Start Agreement and Quality Assurance Standards.
• Maintain high standards of practice in supporting families within the Home-Start model.
• Ensure equality of opportunity, fairness and diversity in all aspects of the scheme’s work.
• Implement best safeguarding practice in all areas of work.

Main Responsibilities

Supporting the work of Home-Start Clackmannanshire and our Play Roots Partnership

• Undertaking work as delegated by our CEO to support the strategic management, development, evaluation, and future funding of Play Roots.
• Supporting the implementation of and upholding all Home-Start policies and procedures.
• Complying with the scheme’s administration, monitoring and financial systems.
• Promoting the work of the scheme, as required by the CEO.
• Contributing to and supporting the development of the Home-Start network locally, regionally and nationally.

Support for families

• Take a lead role in receiving and assessing referrals to Play Roots in a timely manner.
• Making initial contact/arranging implementation of support or delegating to operational team members within Home-Start and Action for Children to do.
• Lead delivery partners in planning, preparing for, and delivering group sessions (4 sessions across 4 locations, weekly, during term time).
• Enhance group support offer by leading the planning, preparation and delivery of Holiday Programmes for families.
• Providing rich learning environments where children and their families can engage.
• Facilitating interventions one to one or in a group to support identified areas of need.
• Building effective relationships and channels of communication with our partners, such as children, young people, families, colleagues, and external agencies.
• Ensuring support to families is of a high standard, in accordance with Home-Start’s model, policies and procedures.
• To undertake designated responsibilities to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.

Supporting Volunteers

• We could not deliver our services without the support of our incredible team of volunteers. As such, you will be involved in ensuring any Home-Start volunteers contributing to Play Roots sessions are appropriately onboarded, supported, informed, and adhere to all organisational policies and procedures.

Working in Partnership

• Ensuring appropriate liaison with referrers and other professionals.
• Networking appropriately within the community.

The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties that fall within the nature of the role and responsibilities of the post as detailed above.

Who Cares? Scotland is Scotland’s only national independent membership organisation for Care Experienced people. Our strategic vision is to secure a lifetime of equality, respect, and love for Care Experienced people in Scotland.

At the heart of Who Cares? Scotland’s work are the rights of Care Experienced people, and the power of their voices to bring about positive change. We provide individual lifelong relationship-based independent advocacy and a broad range of imaginative participatory and engagement opportunities for Care Experienced people across Scotland. We work alongside Corporate Parents and communities to broaden understanding and create change. We work with policy makers, leaders, and elected representatives locally and nationally to shape law, policy, and practice, working together to build on the aspirations of The Promise and secure positive change.

As a project, Communities that Care works to create a world where Care Experienced children, young people, and adults are known, understood, welcomed, celebrated, and loved. The aim of the Communities that Care Team is to educate the public about the reality of care (as told to us by Care Experienced people), challenge stigma around care experience, and create the conditions for children, young people, and adults with care experience to thrive.

We are seeking a passionate and talented communicator to join our Communities that Care Team as a Development Officer. Working to shape, deliver, and evaluate our work in schools nationwide, with a particular focus in Clackmannanshire, you will provide training and support to educational establishments and organisations. You will also lead on the local participation offer for Care Experienced people within Clackmannanshire; supporting, developing and facilitating our current group and considering how we grow its reach within the local authority.

You will be welcomed into the team and expected to play a key role in supporting the delivery of our wider Communities that Care work, including Care Aware workforce training to employers and organisations.

As an individual with a background working with children and young people, you are adept at creating and delivering learning, teaching, and project plans, with experience providing dynamic training to a range of audiences. Confident writing reports and evidencing practice and impact, you have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as the ability to develop strong professional relationships. Committed to child and human rights, working inclusively, and with the belief that young people can make transformative change in their lives, you understand how structural barriers, social oppression/liberation and intersectionality shape our world. With a deep knowledge and desire to learn about the issues affecting Care Experienced people, you are keen to help create meaningful positive change, challenge stigma, and to keep The Promise.

There is an expectation that the postholder will have a regular presence within the National Office in Glasgow to connect with the wider team, and across Clackmannanshire. Home working is offered as part of our commitment to flexible working and wider travel across Scotland will be necessary. Given the remit of the role, as well as the need from team members to contribute to our diverse calendar of exciting local and national participation groups, some evening and weekend work, including overnight stays, will be necessary.

The successful candidate will be joining Who Cares? Scotland at an exciting time, when the voices of those who are in or have experienced care are growing in power, individually and collectively – bringing with them insight, challenge, hope and change. While we would welcome the knowledge gathered through relevant qualifications, we are just as interested in relevant work experience.

We welcome and encourage applications from those with experience of care.

If this sounds like the role for you, we would love to hear from you. For an informal conversation about this opportunity please contact Donna Nicholas at dnicholas@whocaresscotland.org.

Change lives in a life-changing career

When a child or young person is diagnosed with cancer, their whole world can feel like it’s falling apart. Independence is taken and confidence is stolen. Stability no longer exists. The future suddenly feels uncertain.

The impact of cancer on young lives is more than medical. And that impact can be felt by entire family. That’s why we exist. Our specialist social workers help children and young people with cancer and their families navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer.

We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time

About the role

We’re looking for an Accommodation Deputy Manager to join our Accommodation Team at Ciaran's House, Edinburgh.

We provide practical and emotional support to mitigate the impact of a cancer diagnosis, and support during their cancer journey via expert needs led interventions. Our Accommodation Service is a key member of the integrated Social Work Service within the Services and Impact Directorate, you will play a crucial role in providing a high quality and efficient service to children, young people and families diagnosed with cancer

We are recruiting a Deputy Accommodation Manager in Edinburgh. This role supports the accommodation service locally and across the UK. Our Deputy Accommodation Managers ensure the Home is a safe and welcoming environment for children and young people with cancer and their families. They provide an efficient and effective service in line with the organisation’s accommodation service specification.

Our organisation is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. This role is subject to an Enhanced criminal record check. If successful in application, this role requires an enhanced criminal record check to be completed ahead of starting in the role, together with comprehensive reference checks. A person cannot commence in post without these safeguards. Applicants should be aware these may take time. That is out of our organisation’s control and forms part of the rigorous commitment to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

This role is subject to a criminal record check. In the event of a successful application an enhanced criminal record check will be completed. A previous conviction is not necessarily a barrier to employment. We encourage qualified applicants to apply, and we will consider each case individually.

What will I be doing?

No two days are the same at Young Lives vs Cancer. So, summarising your ‘day to day’ isn’t easy. Here are some of the main things you’ll be doing, but you’ll find more details in the job description.

As Deputy Manager, you will support the Accommodation Manager in the safe and efficient management of the Accommodation site, ensuring optimal use of available resources. You will help develop, deliver, and facilitate a Community Model approach within your locality, working with Social Care teams, charity partners, and local organisations to provide comprehensive support for families. You will also support the charity’s Brand and Income Generation initiatives aligned to delivering the community model.

What do I need?

Diverse perspectives and unique skillsets are at the heart of Young Lives vs Cancer. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet the criteria and person specification fully. Your potential is what matters most to us, and we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment to help you develop.

We would love to hear from you if you have

• Experience in providing services to children and/or vulnerable families.
• Working experience in a social care, or similar setting.
• Experience of cleaning and hygiene standards.

Knowledge and skills

• Ability to act as an ambassador for the Charity’s cause within a community setting.
• Understanding of issues relating to childhood cancer, children and young people with disabilities or children and young people with life limiting conditions, including the impact of loss and grief on individuals.
• Ability to appropriately tailor both spoken and written communication with a range of stakeholders e.g. parents, children, team members and charity partners.
• Ability to coordinate support initiatives for the benefit of service users.
• Demonstrate good organisational and administration skills.
• Demonstrate strong research skills.
• Establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships.
• Awareness of Health and Safety requirements.

What will I gain?

For people to reach their full potential, they need the right environment. As a member of Team Young Lives, you’ll be made to feel supported, valued and appreciated. Here’s how we do it:

• Wellbeing, Thinking & Growth Days: four days a year to to step back from the day-to-day and focus on your own learning and development
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Great family/caring leave entitlements
• Enhanced pension
• Access to our employee savings scheme

To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website: younglivesvscancer.org.uk/careers/our-benefits

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their sex, ethnicity, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation. We don’t just accept difference, we value it, celebrate it, nurture it and we thrive because of it.

We’re on a journey to be reflective of the diverse children, young people and families we support. We know we aren’t there yet, and we’re passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation. This includes taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities. Our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy will tell you more.

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. CVs can be uploaded, but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to fully complete the work history sections of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

Accessibility

We’re committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always aim to be as accommodating as possible. Please let us know in your application form of any adjustments or access requirements we could make to help you with the application process and interview.

Families who have been supported by our Homes describe them as a lifeline. “Being so close to the hospital feeling so welcome and comfortable. A place of peace and rest during very difficult times”.

If you join us, you will be part of a community that is committed to making a difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer.’

To arrange an informal chat, please contact Mandy Tait, Accommodation Manager on 07747 686362 or email mandy.tait@younglivesvscancer.org.uk

During working hoursMonday to Thursday 8am till 2pm

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About the role

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a vibrant and supportive national children’s charity. As Finance Manager you would have overall responsibility for delivering our efficient and effective finance function. You would play an important role in continuing to support a financially resilient organisation which contributes to a better Scotland for all children and young people.

You will be CCAB qualified and have an appropriate accountancy qualification and will have extensive knowledge and understanding of charity finance, including being up to date with the Charity Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). You will have experience of ensuring that effective and efficient financial procedures are in place and adhered to and good communication skills with the ability to communicate financial information to different audiences.

Children in Scotland puts values at the centre of its work and you will need to be able to demonstrate that you understand how important organisational values are and to show that you are able to embed them in what you do and how you do it.

*We are advertising for a full-time role in the first instance. However, if you are seeking a working pattern of 3 or 4 days a week, then we could consider that if you are the best person for the role.

About Children in Scotland

Children in Scotland is a welcoming and dynamic charity that amplifies the voices, views and experiences of our members and children, families and professionals across Scotland. We achieve this through direct services, meaningful participation, policy work, inspiring communications and sector-leading events and learning opportunities.

We are a vibrant and inclusive community of dedicated individuals and organisations who use our skills and passion to bring evidence-based and fresh thinking together, with one shared aim of giving all children in Scotland an equal chance to flourish.

We are stronger together in driving lasting impact for Scotland’s children.

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

If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the criteria for this role, but you still feel you have something to offer, we would be interested to hear from you. Please contact Judith Turbyne, CEO, at jturbyne@childreninscotland.org.uk for an informal chat, or if you have any questions about the role.

Salary:£41,913.06 per annum (pro-rata) rising to £43,170.45 in July 2026. See detail of our current salary structure here.