Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

We believe in really listening to our infants, children, young people and families. We believe in those views being at the heart of how we make big decisions about plans, about services and about direction. If we understand and respond to people's experiences – the good and the bad – this will lead us to better, smarter, kinder ways of being – and create better opportunities for everyone.

We have an amazing opportunity for a Participation Worker who'll work closely with our experienced Engagement Coordinator to build relationships with a wide range of people, supporting them to share their views and experiences in a way that is flexible, creative and feels safe.

You'll work with children, young people and their families to establish a policy that can be used consistently across services in West Dunbartonshire about fair remuneration, exploring the most valued way we can recognise their expertise and contribution. The Participation team will reach as many of our children, young people and families as possible, consulting on a range of issues around The Promise.

The other aspect of their role will be how this information is then blended with the quantitative data we have – how the stories this person has gathered are conveyed to staff at all levels, making sure the experiences behind the stats are understood.

We're looking for a bright and friendly individual with a passion for listening to, empowering and raising the voices of children, young people and their families. Experience engaging and working with children, young people and families in creative and meaningful ways is desirable but full training and coaching will also be provided and we welcome applications from individuals with lived experience of social care.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the role will be;

• Experience or interest in youth work/community development/participation.
• An understanding of The Promise and what is means for Scotland's children and young people.
• Working within the service and other partners to establish ways in which children and young people are able to participate more fully in their own lives.
• Ability to think creatively to promote inclusion and keep participation fun and meaningful.
• Ability to think on your feet to adapt activities and approaches to best suit participants.

Let's talk about you

• Relevant experience of working with children and young people.
• Desire to support and empower others and compassionate of experiences and views of others.
• Basic ICT skills and ability to gather and present evidence effectively.
• Ability to work independently as well as with colleagues and partner organisations.

Benefits:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 29 days PLUS bank holidays
• Up to 5 more days leave for continuous service plus the option to buy and sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications with excellent training, and development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• A pension with a up to a 7% employer contribution rate. Plus, if you pay in to the pension you will receive life assurance cover.
• Staff discount portal with your favourite brands.
• Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 discounts from national retailers.

Good to know

Application Process: There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Contact: If, for any reason, you need support with your application, please contact Laura McCarthy at Laura.McCarthy2@actionforchildren.org.uk. We'll be happy to give you any support you require.

Talent Pool: We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

Diversity, equality, and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

About Sycamore Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel is our newest residential house for children who are unable to live with their own families. Aberlour is Being Brave for these children, fulfilling The Promise to provide a safe, loving home for the three children who live in the house, enabling them, over time, to reach their full potential. We do not seek to provide a quick fix for the children but to secure transformational change which secures real results and gives our team a really rewarding job experience.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for an individual who can integrate seamlessly into our existing team, working alongside it and relief adults to support excellent service delivery. We are looking for a Residential Worker to work 37.5 hours per week on a residential rota including early, late, waken nights, sleepovers and weekend shifts. You will have a knowledge and understanding of the importance of attachment, trauma and how this can impact on an individual’s development. At times our children express their distress through their behaviour and the role can be emotionally and physically challenging; we are therefore looking for someone who is resilient, understands that behaviour is a means of communication and is trauma responsive.

You will be skilled in building therapeutic relationships with the children, young people and young adults to enable them to feel safe, loved and cared for.

You must have the ability to quickly build your relationships with the adults within the house. The nature of the role is such that you could be working to cover a shift or longer periods as required, including days, wakened nightshifts and sleepovers and you may also be supporting young people to attend school or participate in other learning programmes. You must therefore be able to quickly adapt to the working environment within each house.

You will be comfortable with working within Aberlour’s culture embracing respect, integrity, innovation and the ability to challenge. Demonstration of these qualities will be particularly important in this role given that you will be dipping in and out of the different teams. You must be able to be an exceptional role model for other staff and the young person.

Through a wide variety of learning and development opportunities we support our staff to be as effective as they can be, equipping them to employ best practice in their work and to be exceptional role models for the children and for staff.

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.

For an informal discussion please phone Caitlyn Ross, House Manager on 07919192605

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 a competitive salary and allowances, generous annual leave, an excellent pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

Our Residential Support Worker (Level 2) is a great opportunity for those experienced working in a care setting and looking to implement those skills with an aim to progress to the next stage of their career with our help. You'll manage risk in a way which empowers young people and builds resilience, whilst at the same time ensuring their safety. You'll demonstrate a high standard of person-centred practice, have good social care values and be a strong role model to our children and young people.

In return we'll offer you amazing opportunities to progress within our organisation.​​

We offer an in-depth induction process and training.

Alongside this, we'll enrol you in the qualifications which you need to work in the industry.​

Regular supervision with your line manager, team meetings etc. will ensure you feel part of our team. ​​

Once you've gained the relevant experience and qualifications you'll be ready to progress to the next step in your career with us.

About the service

Our Silverton Short Breaks Service offers support to children and young people from the ages 5yrs – 18yrs who have disabilities. We work to reduce the impact of the disability on the child's day to day life by providing support for them to participate, make choices, enjoy new experiences, make friendships and be part of their local community. At the same time parents and carers can have a much-needed break knowing their child is in a safe, fun and enriching environment.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• 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.
• Making sure our young people are safe and cared for when they are away from home.
• Assisting in all aspects of their daily lives and supporting their health and happiness.
• Supporting and participating with keyworkers to maintain an up-to-date Plan for young people.

Let's talk about you

Are you resilient and have a positive approach to change and challenge? We're looking for someone with a ‘can do' attitude to join our team. Ideally you'll 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.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience to respond to the challenging nature of the role.
• Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years of commencing employment with us, full support will be provided.

Barnardo's Highland are developing a new partnership service with the Highland Council, supporting care experienced children and young people with additional needs.

This is a new service within Highland which will look at the individual needs of children and young people and develop bespoke residential care packages using a right based, trauma informed approach working with the whole family around the child.

The team working with the children will enrich their lives through care, support and activities which will be aimed at raising self-esteem, promoting a sense of mastery, and enabling the children to access experiences that are individually tailored to their interests and nurture their talents. The team will work with the wider partnership to ensure that Educational and Health needs are met.

We are looking to appoint a Team Manager to join this service and who has the below experience.

• Excellent communication skills, verbally and written.
• Experience in working with Children with additional and complex needs.
• Experience working in a supervisory role.
• Experience of Leading and Managing Care Services.
• Ability to demonstrate a strong understanding of child protection, safeguarding and working with vulnerable children.
• The post holder must have an excellent working knowledge of Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People.
• Experience of chairing meetings, working in partnership with other agencies and staff supervision / coaching / mentoring is essential.
• Use of IT is significant and candidates must be able to use and maintain client record systems.

Some of the Key Responsibilities include:

• Providing a ‘duty' management role to the service, offering information, advice and support with operational day-to-day running of the service.
• Ensuring consistent use of policies, procedures and processes.
• Attending appropriately to the physical and emotional needs of children and young people, including health and safety aspects of equipment, environment and activities in consultation with Children's Services Manager.
• To establish fair, respectful, trusting, supportive and constructive relationships with parents and children, communicating sensitively and effectively

The post holder must have the Qualifications relevant to meet the requirement of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and hold the Registration for the Care Inspectorate, or be willing to work towards this.