Aberlour Options Lothian, Prestonpans

Aberlour Options Lothian offers a range of short break services to children and young people with complex needs. We offer a safe, homely environment for a child to come and stay for a short break that gives their families a rest from their caring role. During that break, children enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with our staff. Our service is very much a ‘home from home’ for the children who stay with us. We are within easy commuting distance of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian with access via the number 26, 111 and 124 bus routes.

The difference we make to families:

“It’s not easy to accept that sometimes you need help. We had reached rock bottom but Aberlour Options Lothian was that lifesaving buoyancy aid.

It wasn't easy accepting leaving my son there especially in the early days when it was new to everyone. It is a safe and welcoming place and a second home in many respects now. Somewhere he is safe, cared for and has loads of fun with the carers and other children.

It’s not just about respite; we have received help with managing behaviour, preparing for hospital visits and operations. Help and advice when there seemed to be no one else listening or who understands. It’s hard to look back to where we were but no we wouldn't be here today without their help and support.

To sum it up: Saved our lives. Peace of mind. Finally a rest.”

What we are looking for....

As part of a small team, you will ensure that the highest level of physical and emotional care is provided to the children and young people. Experience in this type of work is preferred however we will consider all applications. The requirement is to work mainly weekends with occasional week nights, depending on the needs of our young people. Weekends can include sleepovers and wakened night shifts. There are various part time hours available which can be discussed at interview.

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. At Aberlour we have strong values - Respect, Integrity, Innovation and Challenging - which influence our everyday work. If you choose to apply for this role please tell us about your values in your supporting statement.

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.

Do you have relevant experience of working with children and young people with a disability/and or autism or relevant experience in a similar sector or work environment?

About Aberlour Options Fife - Respite and Outreach

Options Fife Respite and Outreach provides a range of flexible support through outreach and overnight short breaks at weekends, evenings and school holidays to children and young people with complex learning disabilities and autism. We offer a high-quality child centred service providing positive and enabling experiences for the young people, supporting them through the challenges and complexities that enable them to work towards their individual outcomes and personal goals. We work closely with families and other professionals in providing support tailored around the child’s plan.

What we are looking for....

We are looking to recruit two Young People’s Worker Nights, working four nights on (10 hours per night) every second week. You will play a fundamental role in ensuring that the young people you work with have the best possible experience in working towards their objectives in line with their care plan, supporting children to progress within their individual outcomes. Whilst not without its challenges and demands, this is a highly rewarding role, where the work we do has a demonstrable impact on each young person's progress. Using a person-centred approach, you will provide enabling support ensuring the highest level of physical, personal, and emotional care. We support young people who have epilepsy, need personal care and need gastrostomy feeding. Aberlour, in conjunction with NHS, provides all staff with training.

We are looking for candidates who have a passion for working with young people with disabilities. It is desired but not essential that candidates hold a relevant qualification at an SCQF level 7 or above. Due to SSSC requirements you may be required to gain qualifications after starting with Aberlour.

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 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 generous annual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity on our website.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the East Lothian Family Support Team. Children 1st have supported children, young people, and families within East Lothian for a number of year and are well established service.

Children 1st along with partners share a determination to act upon the recommendations from The Independent Care Review and deliver The Promise for 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.

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

• will possess excellent administrative, IT and financial skills to support the work of Children 1st
• provide a front-line reception service, as the first point of contact to external visitors and telephone callers, answering questions and responding to queries using own initiative as appropriate to ensure a relational and responsive service is provided
• ability to maintain diaries, schedule and coordinate meetings and appointments
• able to record, process and analyse data
• a cool head and clear minded at times of pressure
• thinks it’s a privilege to work for and on behalf of children and families and
• is kind and compassionate and places people at the heart of their work

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

If you have an interest in supporting the activities of a compassionate and committed staff team then we would like to hear from you. In particular, we are seeking to further enhance our diversity from the perspective of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender and disability.

Base

You will be office based within our two bases within Musselburgh MECA and Fisherrow Community Centre.

Our core hours are Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm working days are flexible.

Salary, Conditions, Pension

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days (pro rata) inclusive of 7 public holidays) and a contributory pension scheme. In addition, we offer further benefits ranging from a cashback health plan to a Cycle-to-work scheme.

Barnardo's Caern Disability Services consists of 3 unique Projects who deliver a variety of quality services for young people with learning disabilities and/or autism. We have done this for over forty years.

At the Caern Community Project, we support up to 50 children and young people across the Lothians aged 7-18 by offering outreach, holiday support, groups, youth clubs and training to children and their families.

We are looking for Relief Project Workers to join our small team to support young people in the community. Working primarily in the community, you will promote the happiness, safety and welfare of the young people. You will play an active role in supporting the children and young people and their families/carers to achieve positive outcomes, as identified in the Young People's Individual Support Plans.

You will work on a Rota of day shifts, including weekends, early mornings and evenings. We are also looking for staff to support young people in our holiday support hub. This will run from Monday 4th July until Thursday 11th August. We will be running Mondays to Thursdays, 8.30am-3.30pm

As these posts are As & When - you can commit to a flexible amount of hours and individual circumstances will be considered.

About You

We are looking for Relief Project Workers who have experience in working directly with children and young people.

Experience in supporting children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism would be advantageous, or at the minimum an understanding of these factors and its impact on child development. Communication with the young people is paramount - the key is time tabling; structure; reliability and consistency. You will be faced with behaviours that challenge, including physical.

Experience of group work is desirable, with good planning skills.

You will need to communicate effectively with a range of people, including autistic children and young people, their families and other professionals. This also includes being able to work sensitively within families' homes.

You will have the confidence to lone work and can use your own initiative with support from team and managers.

As this post is in the community, a clean current drivers' license is essential, (although if you are applying for summer hub work this is negotiable).

For an informal chat about this role – please contact Lynne Melville (Team Manager) on 07789 941421

About Barnardo's

At Barnardo's we believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Please read about our basis and values following the link below. You will be asked questions relating to them as part of the recruitment process for this role.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is reflected in our values and our practice, and we have invested in this area of our work to ensure that we can deliver on our commitments to be an inclusive employer. EDI is a key enabler of our purpose as a charity and we want to ensure that the diversity of our teams is reflective of the communities we serve and that we continue to learn and develop our work with a focus on inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic Communities, candidates who are LGBT+ and Disabled candidates.

Our basis and values