An exciting opportunity has become available to join Families Outside as our Communications Manager. We are looking for a proactive, creative individual to lead this work. If you are experienced and passionate about leading our full team through development and implementation of a communications strategy that reflects our Vision and Strategic Aims, then please join us!

About Us:

Families Outside is the only national charity in Scotland that works solely to support families affected by imprisonment. Imprisonment can have a huge impact on the things that matter most to families: money and secure housing, safe and connected relationships at home and in the community, and the emotional health and wellbeing of families. Families Outside is dedicated to providing a range of practical, social, and emotional support to people with someone in prison that are relationship-based, prison-aware, and family-focused.

Role Summary:

• Hours: 28 hours per week
• Contract: 2-year fixed term contract (renewal subject to funding)
• Starting salary: Families Outside Scale Points 38-41 and updated annually subject to appraisal and where funds allow. Starting salary £38,205 pro rata (0.8FTE = £30,564)
• Probation period: A probationary period of 6 months will apply.
• Location: Families Outside Head Office, Edinburgh, with scope for hybrid working

Staff Benefits:

• 25 flexible leave days plus 10 public holidays (pro rata)
• 4% matched contribution workplace pension scheme
• Hybrid & flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme (Health Assured)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Laptop and mobile phone for all staff

The Role:

The purpose of this role is to develop and implement strategic communications plans and increase the visibility and inclusion of families affected by imprisonment. The post holder will be responsible for communications including media relations, digital communications, and developing a strong voice for families in line with organisational aims.

They will:

• Develop and implement a communications and marketing strategy for the whole organisation to increase the engagement, visibility, and inclusion of families affected by imprisonment.
• Increase the volume of families affected by imprisonment and key stakeholders who access the information and support available from Families Outside.
• Develop key messages to ensure Families Outside is the lead national voice on the issues relating to families affected by imprisonment and identify and disseminate priority areas for policy and practice change regarding issues of common concern for families.
• Design and implement influencing activity including events, conferences, roundtable discussions, relationships with the media, and development of tools and resources.
• Engage a wide range of audiences, including the public, families affected by imprisonment, and professionals working in key settings.
• Provide safe and effective opportunities for families to influence and engage in communications work.

About You:

We are looking for an individual who is:

• Experienced in leading effective communications strategies that utilise a range of social media, marketing tools, and digital platforms
• Rights-focused and trauma-informed in their work and all they do
• Skilled in negotiation, written and oral communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• A confident and effective contributor able to work independently and as part of a team.

If you are an experienced professional with skills in communications, marketing, and the media and are passionate about making a positive difference for vulnerable groups, then we want to hear from you.

The postholder will be expected to operate in line with our values which are: justice, equity, trust, collaboration and compassion.

Overview

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 help create lasting solutions to the poverty and barriers facing many 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.

About this role

We are looking for an experienced Communications and Marketing Manager to take on this exciting new role at OPFS. You will have the opportunity to lead this growing team as part of the Policy and Communications Department. We are looking for a creative and strategic thinker with a proven track record in developing and implementing communications, branding and marketing strategies. If you are passionate about supporting single parents to thrive and access the support they need through our services, we’d love to hear from you.

The postholder will be expected to operate in line with our values which are: justice, equity, trust, collaboration and compassion.

Overview

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 help create lasting solutions to the poverty and barriers facing many 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.

About this role

The Project Lead will play a key role in supporting the Regional Coordinator / Service Manager with the day-to-day management, coordination and delivery of the OPFS local service.

The postholder will provide operational leadership and support to the service team, helping to ensure high-quality, person-centred and effective support is provided to single parents, children and families.

The Project Lead will support the delivery of the Whole Family Support Third Sector Delivery Fund, working alongside families to address the issues that matter most to them and contributing to improved outcomes for parents, children and families.

Working within the My Life and Me framework, they will support a strengths-based, trauma-informed and whole-family approach. They will help ensure families receive coordinated support based on their individual circumstances, strengths, priorities and aspirations.

The Project Lead will support staff practice, workforce development, quality assurance, performance monitoring and service improvement. They will work closely with colleagues and partners to develop effective pathways and ensure families can access the appropriate support from OPFS and other services.

The postholder will provide day-to-day supervision, guidance and support to staff and relevant colleagues as delegated and will deputise for the Regional Coordinator / Service Manager when required.

The role will contribute to the development of local whole-family support approaches and to the wider OPFS ambition that families experience a “no wrong door” approach, where they can access coordinated support without having to repeatedly tell their story.

Working within the My Life and Me framework, the postholder will provide operational leadership, support and supervision to staff, ensure high-quality service delivery and undertake quality assurance activities.

Do you want to create a safer, brighter future for all children in Scotland?

Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity, has an exciting opportunity for a confident, enthusiastic and committed leader to truly make a difference to children and their families. We are seeking to appoint a Service Manager within our Aberdeen Family Wellbeing Service, Fit Like Family Wellbeing.

By joining our team, you will help us stand up for children, keep them safe and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services.

The role

This is more that a service management role.

If you are looking for a new challenge, ready to bring fresh thinking, creativity and passion to your work and want the opportunity to really shape the future of whole family wellbeing supports in Aberdeen, we would love to hear from you.

Based in Aberdeen, with flexible and hybrid working an option, the role involves leading on the day-to-day implementation, management, development and growth of our whole family wellbeing service aligned to the Fit Like Family Wellbeing collaborative.

Fit Like is a multi-agency partnership approach to supporting children and their families throughout Aberdeen City when they present with emerging needs around emotional wellbeing, mental health, family relationships, safety and safeguarding needs and supporting children and young people when they have had a trauma experience to promote their ability to recover.

Taking a child-centred approach, you will work to ensure the safety of children and young people by protecting and promoting their rights.

You will join an ambitious values driven team at an exciting stage of development and growth, with the freedom to innovate, build strong partnerships and influence how services are designed and delivered for children and families. This is an exciting opportunity to lead change, develop new approaches that will create lasting impact for children, young people and communities across Aberdeen.

Working within the Fit Like Family Wellbeing collaborative, you'll play a key role in driving service growth, embedding trauma-informed practice and ensuring families receive the right support at the right time. You'll be empowered to bring your ideas, expertise and leadership to a service that is committed to continuous improvement and meaningful outcomes.

Whether you're an experienced manager seeking a fresh opportunity, or a practitioner leader ready to take the next step, this role offers the chance to be part of something progressive, purposeful and transformational. Most importantly, you'll help create opportunities for children and families to thrive, recover and build brighter futures. We are keen to attract the right person to help drive the next stage of our development and are therefore open to discussing flexibility around working hours, with the role available for up to 35 hours per week.

What we are looking for

You will be an inspiring leader and will possess a degree or diploma in social work, or equivalent professional qualification at SCQF level 9, in addition to recent significant experience in a relevant practice area relating to young people.

You will always put Children First. You will be relational in your approach ands have experience of working collaboratively with partners to ensure the right support at the right time.

What you can expect from us

As well as a rewarding career and development opportunities, we offer 40 days annual leave per year pro rata, a contributory pension scheme, generous maternity/adoption and paternity leave, flexible working opportunities and wellbeing support.

With a supportive and inclusive working environment, the salary for this role is £44,087 - £50,726 per annum

Our values

Living our values, you will make a direct impact to the lives of children across Scotland. With love, we put children first. With purpose, we transform children’s lives together. With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.