At Autism and Neurodiversity North Scotland (A-ND), we strive for a world of fulfilling and happy lives for those who think differently.

We are a key provider of autism and neurodiverse specific support throughout the North of Scotland, and work hard to create opportunities for autistic and neurodivergent people, their families and networks to realise their full potential and transform the world we live in.

We are committed to ensuring the right support for each child, young person and adult is created by providing the practical and emotional care and support they need, where and when they need it.

We continue to develop and grow our services due to continuous demand, and to ensure we are leaders in autism and neurodiverse specific support throughout North Scotland, bringing our services into the Highlands for the first time in 2024.

We are looking for an experienced, inspirational, passionate, and dedicated senior manager for our Highland and Moray services, who engenders a culture of performance, creativity, relationship-based practice, and teamwork.

You will lead and be accountable for our Highland and Moray services and teams, working as key part of the senior management team, with the requirement to be the registered manager of our Outreach services and Playscheme, which are located in Highland and Moray. This will include being the regional safeguarding lead.

Your key focus will be on the provision and growth of high quality, cost effective neurodiverse specific services, leading and supporting the delivery of responsive, tailored, and person-centred support.

So why are we looking for a new Service Manager

Our ambition is for every child in Scotland to be safe, loved and well, together with their family. Children 1st is committed to protecting children by preventing harm through abuse and neglect. We will promote their wellbeing by respecting, protecting, and fulfilling children’s human rights.

We have a long history of working with children and families and partners in Moray. Children 1st along with our partners share a determination to act upon the recommendations from The Independent Care Review and deliver The Promise to children and young people. We are also determined that the full incorporation of the UNCRC means that children will have their rights respected in all areas of their lives and will have a real say in the way they are supported.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Manager to lead a large, creative and vibrant team. Our Service delivers a number of diverse supports alongside children and families. Our activities include Whole Family Support alongside our Social Work Colleagues creating alternative plans to support children growing up where they are safe and loved, and Perinatal Mental Health Support for new parents across Moray. Our activity includes both early help and more intensive supports, all based on quality relationships with children and families.

We are looking for a resilient Service Manager who can be a strong leader across the service and organisation. Someone who thinks operationally but understands the big picture too. We need a leader who is in touch with the needs of children, young people and their families who require support and passionate about their rights. We seek a dynamic manager who can build on the service strengths and create the agile and flexible service children and families need.

What kind of person will make a great Service Manager for Children 1st?

• Has experience of keeping children safe in their own families.
• Someone who can ensure that the child and family rights to have their voices heard and considered in decision making.
• Can work autonomously and develop quality relationships with colleagues from a wide range of partner agencies.
• Can help assess children’s and families’ situations and is systemic and reflective.
• Someone who is calm and cool headed in decision making.
• Someone open to always listening to improve and put quality at the centre of everything we do.
• Shares the Children 1st vision for holistic, rights based, trauma informed, whole family support that is developed and enhanced by children and family’s participation and influence.

What kind of leader will you be?

Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• Resilient, skilled and knowledgeable who wants to transform systems as well as children’s lives.
• Able to build great partnerships and to manage and contribute to courageous conversations.
• Able to understand, predict and adapt to the changing children’s service landscape.
• Bringing considerable operational service experience.
• A cool head and clear minded at times of pressure.
• Strategic in decisions and planning and can manage complexity.
• Inspiring colleagues and teams to be even better.
• An amazing ambassador for children and Children 1st.

Above all else, the most important thing to us is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children and their families at every turn.

Base

You will be based in our Elgin service.

Salary, Conditions, Pension, Value

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 9 public holidays), flexible working opportunities and a contributory pension scheme and a place where you will be supported and valued and work with excellent and kind colleagues.

Additionally, Children 1st offers further staff benefits including a cash-back healthcare plan, membership of a Credit Union and access to a cycle to work scheme.

Further Information

This is a permanent, full-time post of 35 hours per week, with flexibility for travel.