Aberlour, in partnership with Scottish Borders Council, has developed a service for families with children at ‘the edge of care’, families who are often feeling overwhelmed by the complex demands of parenting and struggling to support the needs of their children at home, at school and in the community. At what can be a highly charged and emotional time for families, Sustain Borders offers a relationship based and strengths focused approach which helps build confidence and skills and supports connection to school and community.

Working collaboratively with local partners our aim is to help children and families stay together. Families experience a wide range of social and emotional challenges which can impact on health and wellbeing. Our relationship-based approach is informed by an understanding of attachment and the impact of trauma. We offer whole family support and work individually and in groups with children, young people, parents and carers. Our approach helps families to seek solutions, build on strengths and learn new skills, whether that is learning to play together or supporting a young person to take their first steps back into school.

In our first 18 months, we have supported over 50 families throughout the Scottish Borders, with 80% of referred children and young people continuing to live at home and remain connected to their school and community. We feel our flexibility and the intensity of our Sustain support model is a key factor in this success. The service is available ‘as and when required’, including during evenings and weekends, providing families with the support they need when they need it.

“Sustain have helped young people to trust again and showed them that teachers and other professionals are trying to help.”

“Sustain will be the voice of the young person so they are prepared to have difficult conversations with parents, teachers or anyone else when they have to.”

Social Workers

We are looking to recruit a Community Support Practitioner to join our team. Candidates should have enthusiasm and energy and share our vision that collaborative early intervention and engagement is the best option for children and families who are on the ‘edge of care’. Not afraid to test new ways of working, you will bring a fresh and collaborative approach in a way which responds to the needs of the families when they need it – this will include early mornings, evenings and weekends. You will have experience of direct practice within this field of work, including child/adult protection issues as well as having experience of working with children with additional support needs.

You will work within a variety of settings in the Borders area including the service base, family homes, schools and community settings.

The Supported Housing Worker role requires assisting in the management of the development thus ensuring the tenants are able to enjoy an acceptable standard of living in an environment which is clean, safe and friendly. You will be responsible for overseeing the wellbeing of the tenants and for assisting them in maintaining their independence.

As housing care worker your role will involve working with our tenants to ensure they receive the support and personal care identified in their care plans. You will directly support tenants in their homes by providing individual advice, practical housing support assistance and personal care.

Both roles are to ensure that we are able to offer the best service to our tenants and make it possible for our tenants to continue enjoying as much independent living as they’re able.

As well as a competitive annual salary, our valued team also benefits from:

• competitive hourly rates of £9.30 - £9.76 per hour;
• guaranteed rota hours working between 7.30am & 10pm
• generous annual leave entitlement;
• a choice of pension scheme with employer contributions;
• flexible working policies;
• access to extensive paid training and development opportunities; and
• a supportive and inclusive culture.

We also have opportunities with our Trust Staff Agency - for employees who want to work across different locations, in various roles, with highly flexible hours to suit family commitments - it's a great opportunity with the same training and development that our other roles benefit from.

Previous experience working in social care or the housing sector would be an advantage but this is not always necessary. Our ideal candidate is someone with enthusiasm, a caring nature and willingness to learn as full training, support and ongoing development will be provided.