Ministerial Appointment – Safeguarder in the Children’s Hearings System
- Management Board
- Sessional
- Throughout Scotland
- Closing 13th December 2021
- Advertised from 27th October 2021
- No fixed salary - Fees & expenses for reasonable travel & subsistence costs are available for each appointment.
- CFS21/86
Role
Safeguarders are appointed by Ministers and have a unique and important role in children’s hearings and related court proceedings, supporting the process to focus on the child’s best interests. They can inform and influence hearing’s decisions. Children 1st is contracted by the Scottish Government to manage the national Safeguarders Panel. On behalf of Scotland’s children and young people we seek individuals who can:
- Maintain an unwavering focus on the child or young person’s best interests in Children’s Hearings and related court proceedings
- Communicate with and be attuned to the child or young person in the assimilation and analysis of information to make clear, reasoned and justifiable recommendations
- Work effectively as an individual and alongside others connected to the role
- Have the values, skills and experience to uphold the vision of the national Safeguarders Panel to be excellent, transparent, consistent and respectful for children and young people
Applications are now invited from individuals motivated to undertake this key role.
We would welcome applications from individuals who are willing to travel to Safeguarder appointments in the areas of Aberdeen, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire, Stirling, the Scottish Borders, Orkney, Dumfries & Galloway, Argyll & Bute and the Highlands.
Salary: The position does not attract a fixed salary. Fees and expenses for reasonable travel and subsistence costs are available for each appointment. Please note: There is no payment for attending Pre-appointment Assessment and Training, support sessions and on-going requisite training.
Application notes
Closing Date: Monday 13 December 2021 at 12 noon
Interview Date: It is anticipated that interviews will be held between Monday 10 and Friday 21 January 2022
Pre-Appointment Assessment and Training: Candidates who are successful at interview will be required to attend 6 pre-appointment assessment and training sessions. It is anticipated that these sessions will be held in Glasgow and Edinburgh between Monday 21 February and Monday 25 April 2022. We will pay travel costs, expenses and accommodation, if required, for these Pre-Appointment days.
For further information on becoming a Safeguarder and FAQs please click here or for an informal discussion about the role, please contact the national Safeguarders Panel Team Tel 0345 604 429 or email safeguarderspanel@children1st.org.uk or visit the Safeguarders Panel webpages
To apply, please visit our website to download and complete the Application form, Application exercise, Equal Opportunities form and Self Declaration form. Email completes forms to hr@children1st.org.uk or send to Human Resources, Children1st, 83 Whitehouse Loan, Edinburgh EH9 1AT
Administrative Assistant
- Part time
- £22,750 – £27,300 pro-rata
- Edinburgh (Hybrid)
- Closing 6th May 2024
BACKGROUND
The Association for Fostering, Kinship and Adoption Scotland (AFKA) is an independent charity that promotes and facilitates evidence-informed best practice in fostering, kinship care and adoption, through advising, training, and influencing practitioners and policymakers, and supporting them to improve outcomes for children and families.
Our Vision is a future where every practitioner working with children, young people and their families is knowledgeable, skilled, confident, and empowered to support the safe, secure, and loving care to which every child has a right.
Our services support agencies and professionals to implement child centred, evidenced informed practice that involves children and their families in decisions about their lives, protect their rights and promotes inclusion. Through our multi-disciplinary communities of practice, we enable social workers, lawyers, and health professionals to work effectively across professional boundaries to meet the needs of children, their families, and their Carers. As a membership organisation, AFKA Scotland uses its links with professional bodies and agencies across the country to contribute to the development of policy and practice at a local and national level. We have a collaborative agreement with CoramBAAF.
AFKA Scotland’s multi-disciplinary team has a wealth of experience and up-to-date expertise in practice relating to kinship care, fostering and adoption and delivers a wide range of workshops, training and consultancy, post qualifying courses, and conferences to assist professionals to develop the knowledge and skills they require when working in this specialist area.
We work closely with our research colleagues in AFKA Scotland, and our research underpins our evidence informed approach. We are committed to #keepthepromise, have been instrumental in promise funded work and have been on a journey to adapt to the changing landscape of care in Scotland.
We are seeking to recruit a highly experienced and motivated individual to the role of Administrative Assistant. This role is key in supporting the Business Support and Finance Manager in the day-to-day operational activities of the organisation and to the smooth delivery of our Forums, training and workshop activities.
JOB SPECIFICATION
PURPOSE
To provide administrative support to the Business Support & Finance Manager on a day-to-day basis and to support the overall work of the organisation.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
National Practitioner Forums and Consortia - in conjunction with lead facilitator, manage the arrangements for the full range of forums and consortia meetings, including setting dates, sending out agendas, formatting and sending out final notes, collating meeting papers, and keeping distribution lists up-to-date.
Support training and development events (Commissioned Training, Conferences and workshops) – in conjunction with Trainer/Consultants, provide administrative support for management of events including: finalising training materials for training booklets, creating and sending out booking forms; logging bookings and maintaining database; preparing attendance certificates for participants at all external events; create , collate and analyse evaluation form returns.
Information Technology – Support staff in their use of IT apps and platforms when they are producing materials or delivering training.
General Administration – Undertake a range of administrative tasks to support the work of the organisation including:
- In conjunction with the Business Support & Finance Manager plan and monitor the action required to run the planned programme of events.
- Telephones - answer the phone and pass messages to staff as appropriate.
- Email - check generic emails and respond / forward messages as appropriate.
- Photocopying – where required, photocopy training materials / meeting papers for all events.
- Banking/Post Office – posting office mail and banking cheques when required.
- Library – maintain database and record when books taken out on loan.
- Take notes at staff meetings.
Scotland’s Adoption Register - provide administrative support to Register staff including support for the running of family finding events when required.
Advice Line Enquiries – record all enquiries, forward to staff, follow up as required, maintain records of completion dates and provide statistical information to Business Support & Finance Manager.
Participation in conferences and other external events – provide administrative support for the running of events as part of the AFKA Scotland team.
Experience
Essential
- A working knowledge of an office environment
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to work on own initiative
Desirable
- Personal or professional experience of the care system
- Experience of working as part of small enterprise or charity
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential
- Computer literate in a range of computer processes which must include Microsoft Access, Word, PowerPoint and Excel and have proficient keyboard skills
- Familiarity with Microsoft 365 including MS Teams
- Working knowledge of social media platforms
- Excellent oral and written communication skills and telephone manner
- Ability to collate and analyse information and to produce accurate, well presented documents
- Self-motivating with excellent organisational skills
Attitude and beliefs
Essential
- Positive, problem solving and resourceful
- Clear understanding of the need to maintain confidentiality
- Flexible working approach
Base: Office - 3 days / Home - 2 days (if desired).
Organisational Relationships:Line Managed by the Business Support & Finance Manager / Responsible to the Executive Director.
Policy and Participation Officer
- Part time
- £38,512 – £41,297 pro-rata
- You can complete work from home or utilise a local office base but you may be required to travel to attend meetings. (Remote)
- Closing 21st April 2024
About Aberlour …
We are a values driven organisation delivering over 40 services across Scotland supporting children, young people and families.
We have a strong record of using knowledge and evidence from our work to campaign for the rights of children, young people and families across Scotland. Furthermore, the views of our children, young people and families are critical in shaping the support they receive as well as helping us shape internal polices and influence national policy makers.
What we are looking for...
You will work with our rights and participation team to identify appropriate ways for children, young people and families to share their views and experiences to help influence and inform Aberlour’s policy, influencing and campaigning work.
You will help analyse the political landscape to assess legislative and policy changes that impact the work of Aberlour.
You will have knowledge of the current Scottish political systems at a national and local level particularly relating to policy areas that impact on children and young people such as the UNCRC and The Promise. You will have experience working in the third sector along with skills in research and analysis. You will have a track record working directly with children and young people to amplify their voices and views to influence policy and decision making.
Please see the job description for further details on our website about the role along with the required qualification level.
What we offer...
As well as a supportive team, 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, life assurance worth 3x salary and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.
Top job! Service Manager – Moray Family Wellbeing Service
- Full time
- £42,500 – £48,900
- Elgin (On site)
- Closing 29th April 2024
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.
Do you have experience working with computerised finance system, finance ledgers, record keeping and ensuring financial controls are followed? Have you completed invoicing and credit control processes and procedures? Do you enjoy providing excellent customer service? If so we would love to hear from you.
About Aberlour
We are a values driven organisation delivering around 40 services across Scotland supporting children, young people and families.
Our central support functions are critical in ensuring our services can provide the best care possible.
What we are looking for....
We are looking for someone to join our finance department working 37.5 hours per week. Most of our head office staff are currently working from home. There will be desk space available in our Stirling office however individuals are able to work a mix of home and office work.
Using your knowledge of financial systems and proficient IT skills you will support a portfolio of services and act as their main contact within the finance department. You will raise, send and organise the payment of invoices, reconcile company accounts and chase late payments.
You will ideally have a relevant professional qualification or significant equivalent experience.
Find out more information on what we are looking for in candidates on our website
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 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.
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