Do you have relevant experience of working with children and young people with a disability/and or autism or relevant experience in a similar sector or work environment?

About Options Ayrshire

Our Service 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.

Based in a quiet, residential street in Prestwick, 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.

What we are looking for...

We have a requirement to increase our Relief Pool, the work of which is offered on a casual, hourly paid basis. Relief staff are needed at short notice across all services to cover sickness, training, planned and unplanned leave as well as during busy periods such as school holidays. We understand that applicants may have a number of other commitments, but the ability to respond at short notice is an essential part of being a relief member of staff.

Ideally, candidates will have social care experience, an understanding of autism, complex needs and disability. You will be required to be on the SSSC Residential Child Care Worker and Day Care of Children registers and meet, or be prepared to gain, the qualifications requirements for this category which is at SCQF level 6 (for example, SVQ Level 3 or HNC).

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. Aberlour’s values are critical and drive everything we do. We will be looking for someone who can demonstrate how Aberlour’s values of Respect, Innovation, Integrity and Challenge will be visible in their practice.

What we offer...

You will receive a planned and supported induction consisting of a varied training programme, including Child Protection. You will be working alongside a highly motivated and skilled team. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity on our website. Applications are welcome from diverse ethnic minority and cultural communities, and under-represented faith and religious groups.

About Aberlour Options Borders

Our service works with children and young people affected by complex learning and/or physical disabilities. Our Holiday Activity Club offers children the opportunity to take part in fun activities whilst enabling them to grow and learn. Summer Holiday Activity Clubs take place in Hawick, Earlston, Duns, and Peebles.

What we are looking for....

You will be passionate about meeting the needs of children and young people and will strive to ensure that a programme of fun-filled activities and outings is available. You will understand the need for, and your responsibility to contribute to, a safe and secure environment.

You will have enthusiasm and drive, but also be patient and have a good sense of humour. This type of work can be challenging ideally experience is desirable but it is not essential as training will be provided.

The work can be physically demanding and includes moving and handling and providing personal care for the children and young people, ensuring that they are kept comfortable.

To allow us to provide a consistent, quality service it is desirable that applicants commit to working between 15 and 35 hours per week throughout the 6 weeks of school summer holidays. Payment is made for the accrual of annual leave and this is explained further in the job pack. There is also the opportunity to be considered for our relief pool for future work in the service.

Find out more information on what we are looking for in candidates here.

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. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here

Prior to commencing, it is mandatory to attend 3 training days on Friday 13th, Saturday 14th, and Sunday 15th June where you will meet the rest of the team and learn about the service.

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. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity here.

“The best way we can help a new baby is to ensure that their parent’s needs are met and their trauma attended to” - Dr Bruce Perry (2020)

About Glasgow Perinatal Service

Aberlour has always seen the benefit of early intervention and are pleased to have received funding from Scottish Government for a Service Manager and 6 new posts to work across Glasgow supporting new parents pre and post birth. By working alongside new parents, we aim to facilitate recovery from problematic substance use and improve parenting capacity and confidence to positively impact on the outcomes for both parents and their new babies.

The service will work across 7 days per week operating within the hours of 8am to 8pm to flexibly meet the needs of the parents and families being supported. The work will cover prebirth to baby’s first birthday offering strength based whole family support.

What we are looking for....

We are seeking to recruit six Intensive Perinatal Support Workers, each working 37.5 hours per week and a Service Manager working 37.5 hours per week. Initial funding from Scottish Government is secured until March 2026, however with successful outcomes we are hopeful that this specialised work would be extended further. We are looking for candidates with a sound knowledge of child development and experience of working with individuals with problematic substance and/or alcohol use.

We encourage people to apply who have lived experience of alcohol or drug use, with a minimum of 2 years living in recovery, free from all drug use and problem drinking.

If you would like more information or wish to discuss this post, please contact Maxine Hawthorn, Assistant Director on 07701294328 for an informal conversation.

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. Aberlour’s values are critical and drive everything we do. We will be looking for someone who can demonstrate how Aberlour’s values of Respect, Innovation, Integrity and Challenge will be visible in their practice. You must be comfortable working in an environment where Aberlour’s values are lived in practice. To have a look at our values to understand more about what we are looking for from our employees click here.

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. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity here.

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.