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.

Would you like to join a vibrant, exciting team working alongside families and volunteers in North Lanarkshire?

Families Here and Now Service (FHANS) is an exciting project created in 2024 as part of the Scottish Government’s Whole Family Wellbeing Fund. This project is funded by North Lanarkshire Council providing holistic support for the whole family in local communities/hub areas.

You will play a key role in developing this service, working alongside families and community partners. The service is a collaboration between four charities: Barnardo’s, Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire, Action for Children and Impact Arts, and you will work closely with colleagues from these organisations.

This outreach support role covers the North Lanarkshire area, based in or around community hubs/schools/nurseries and family homes. The aim of the service is to enable families (pregnant and/or with children up to age 18 years/26 years for care experienced children) to access supports at the earliest possible time, ensuring a ‘whole family’ and ‘no wrong door’ approach.

The service operates 7 days a week between the hours of 8 am – 8 pm, 365 days per year and is staffed on a rota basis.

The postholder will be required to work at least one evening per week and at least one weekend in four.

A valid UK driving licence and access to a car are essential for the role. The role is initially funded until 31 March 2028.

Do you have what we are looking for?

• Creative personality and passionate about working with children and families
• Experience of supporting pregnant families and families with children of all ages (up to age 18)
• Good IT skills (Microsoft)
• Team player, but ability to self-motivate and inspire others

An exciting opportunity has become available to join our Support and Information Services team. We are looking for TWO motivated and confident individuals to join our established team in offering support via our Helpline to families across Scotland who are experiencing having a relative in prison.

Role Summary

Hours: 21 hours per week (0.6 FTE) and 14 hours per week (0.4 FTE)

Contract: Funded through the Scottish Government Whole Family Support Fund through March 2027 in the first instance, with extension through March 2029 to be confirmed with the Scottish Government Budget

Starting salary: Families Outside Scale Points 25-28 and updated annually subject to appraisal and where funds allow. Starting salary £26,327 pro rata (0.6 FTE = £15,797; 0.4 FTE = £10,531)

Probation period: 6 months

Staff Benefits

• 25 flexible leave days plus 10 public holidays
• 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

Joining a welcoming and friendly team, you will be involved in providing support and offering information on our national Support & Information Service (Helpline) through a range of methods, primarily phone calls, email, and social media.

Our Helpline is an integral part of Families Outside and is the first stop for many families who are looking to utilise our services and access support. You will have the important job of communicating directly with families and those seeking information on the work we do.

You will also have the opportunity to be involved in developing resources for families, working alongside the Communications Manager on various projects.

About You

We are looking for people who can work as part of a team, are organised, have experience of using different communication channels, and have an interest in helping vulnerable or marginalised groups.

We are looking for individuals who:

• Have excellent communication skills
• Can work effectively within a team
• Can work independently and flexibly and enjoy a varied role
• Can demonstrate a strong understanding and commitment to our organisational mission and values

About Us

Families Outside is the only national charity in Scotland that works solely to support families affected by imprisonment. Imprisonment can often 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.

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays and options to buy or sell leave
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% matched employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts
• We are a Real Living Wage accredited employer

We are one of the largest children’s charities in the UK and have been making a difference to the lives of the UK’s vulnerable children for over 150 years.

A bit about the role

‘Meeting new people, doing new things, seeing new places, that's what our short breaks services are all about.’

Join our fantastic, dedicated team at Renfrewshire Short Breaks, LoomWalk in Kilbarchan as a Residential Support Worker. Your role is crucial in creating a safe and supportive environment for children and young people to flourish.

Patience, empathy and resilience will go a long way, especially when supporting children through times that may feel challenging due to individual heightened behaviours or when meeting the complexities of some children’s health and personal care support needs. At times the role can be demanding, fast paced and busy where the ability to multi task is advantageous.

You won’t be doing this alone. At LoomWalk, it’s all about teamwork where we believe in investing in our team. You can expect a comprehensive induction, learn new specialised skills applicable to the role, and support for qualifications. Regular supervision and team meetings ensure you are integrated and valued within our team.

Short breaks are a chance for disabled children and young people to have fun, gain independence, learn and develop while their families get to take a much needed break.

Our children love to engage in playful and sensory activities such as singing, ball games, arts/crafts, garden play, water play, puzzles, dressing up and iPad time. Opportunities to support children within outings and stimulating activities within the community are encouraged to ensure they have a positive experience when staying at LoomWalk.

This isn’t just a job, it’s an opportunity to be part of a caring, supportive team to build meaningful connections to the children we support to make their lives better.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the Residential Support Worker are;

• Provide lead case/care planning management, including assessing, reviewing and managing risk
• Co-ordinating responsibilities within the service, with multi agency and producing family information, including analysis and written reports
• Attendance at professional meetings including reviews, court work etc.
• Supporting children to achieve positive outcomes.
• Adopting approaches in line with the principles of The Promise
• Assisting the children in all aspects of their care and supporting their health and wellbeing.

Let's talk about you

Are you resilient and have a positive approach to change and challenge? We are looking for someone with a ‘can do’ attitude to join our team. Ideally you will have:

• Demonstrable experience of working in a care setting and developing positive relationships through trust
• Application of a range of techniques to co-ordinate and communicate with service users and their families
• Demonstrate a solution focused approach to address problems, individually and in a team setting
• Ability to stay, steady, patient and grounded even when the role brings moments that feel challenging
• Experience of working with disabled children and young people
• Safeguarding knowledge and excellent communication skills
• To possess Higher National Certificate in Social Care (or recognised equivalent) and an SVQ3 in Social Care – Children and Young People or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 3 years of commencing employment with is, full support will be provided