Scran Academy is an Edinburgh youth work charity, supporting young people facing poverty and trauma to succeed through our innovative education and employment programmes.

We exist to alleviate poverty and provide opportunities for all young people, no matter their background or barrier. How we do this by creating real-life experiences and positive adult relationships that help shine a light on the strengths and aspirations of young people. We use food, cooking, and real-life responsibility through our café and catering social enterprise to build experiences and form relationships that change young people’s lives.

We’re currently looking for a talented, experienced café manager to join the frontline team that helps young people develop in ways that are meaningful to them.

This is not your average café manager role! This is an exciting opportunity to shape our flagship NHS employability café and to support young people to thrive in a catering environment. Working as an essential part of our dedicated team, the successful candidate will be at the heart of our dynamic charity, helping us deliver both strong business outcomes and meaningful social impact, and empowering young people to meet their potential in a professional environment.

We are therefore looking for an exceptional candidate who chimes with our values and is a proactive all-rounder; a true catering professional with a passion for getting the best from young people.

The successful candidate will lead by example and be ready to inspire and be inspired by young people. Working with placements on our employability programme will be part of the fabric of the job, supporting many young people in what might be their first professional environment, so compassion, patience and a non-judgemental approach are essentials.

This role embodies our values: We Love, We Trust, We Unite and We Lead:

We Love – the successful candidate will nurture young people. They will care deeply and see all behaviour as communication that deserves a dignified response. They will be non-judgemental and take a trauma-informed approach.

We Trust – the successful candidate will believe in the potential of young people. They will trust them to be the expert of their own life and circumstance. They will support young people to take responsible steps in learning, work and life.

We Unite – the successful candidate will courageously bring young people together. They will aim to create safe spaces where stepping outside comfort zones is supported and encouraged.

We Lead – the successful candidate will see all young people as leaders in their own lives. They will be ready to both lead and be led by young people. They will listen and provide a platform for young people to lead their learning and thrive.

Learning Network West is a unique organisation, supporting Social Work Education and developing practice learning opportunities across the West of Scotland. We work closely with HEI and Local Authority funding partners across the West of Scotland to fulfil three core functions: the Mental Health Officer Award Programme, The Professional Development Award in Practice Learning, and social work student placement matching and development. As part of this existing work, the Network is working closely with stakeholders, including Scottish Government, SSSC and our partners, to ensure continued contribution and commitment to the on-going development of social work education in Scotland.

Due to the ending of a secondment, we are excited to be seeking appointment for a Practice Learning Development Officer (PDAPL Co-ordinator). The post holder will be responsible for working in partnership, to plan, deliver and evaluate the PDAPL programme. The successful candidate will be responsible for the practice elements of the programme, including the strategic developments and operational oversight. The post holder will represent Learning Network West as a conduit in Social Work Education across Scotland.

Learning Network West is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. Secondments welcome.

Purpose of post: The post holder will be responsible for working in partnership, to plan, deliver and evaluate the PDAPL programme. The successful candidate will be responsible for the practice elements of the programme, including the strategic developments and operational oversight. The post holder will represent Learning Network West as a conduit in Social Work Education across Scotland.

Main responsibilities:

• Co-ordination of candidate selection, including standardisation between SQA centres, cohort adverts, facilitating information session, reading all applications and chairing selection panel, writing decision letters and providing one to one feedback for unsuccessful candidates.
• Undertake assessment and internal verification of candidates.
• Co-ordinate assessment and verification activities, including assessor and verifier induction and registration, annual CPD records, chairing portfolio and standardisation meetings (approx. 18 meetings a year), ensuring assessment and verification adheres to both award standards (SSSC) and validation requirements (SQA).
• Development and review of course materials, including assessment instruments, methodologies and portfolio, handbook, selection materials, teaching materials, policies and strategy documents. To be cognisant of legislative, policy and practice developments and ensure programme continues to meet the broad needs or partners, regulatory and validating bodies.
• Co-ordinating ongoing CPL activities for assessors and verifiers.
• Co-ordinating and tutoring on a taught programme (covering topics including assessment, supervision, adult learning, reflection, emotional intelligence, evidence based practice, leadership, evaluation and change processes).
• Evaluation of all programme activities.
• Maintaining accurate, up to date candidate and assessment records, including candidate progress and deferrals.
• Producing annual quality assurance monitoring, external verification and systems verification reports.
• Collating, analysing and producing a range of monitoring information for stakeholders, including the West Learning partnership (12 local authorities and 5 HEI’s).
• The design, facilitation and evaluation of assessor and verifier induction programmes.
• Chair Practice Learning Award Management Group and undertake any tasks allocated – over the next year this will likely include the implementation of revised Group Award Specification (following recent SQA review) and subsequent amendments to portfolio handbook and taught materials.
• Co-ordination and investigation of complaints and misconduct procedures.
• E-portfolio induction programme, monthly e-portfolio surgeries and ongoing/ as and when support for candidates, assessors and verifiers.

Want to help children and young people from armed forces communities to realise their potential and thrive?

Deliver life-changing experiences to develop new skills, build confidence, and forge friendships through a sense of belonging, shared experiences, and collective purpose.

Co-produce impactful projects, services, and campaigns that amplify lived experience, transform attitudes, and lead toward meaningful change in local communities in the West of Scotland and for over 12,500 peers across Scotland.

Establish and maintain a network of youth forums in Helensburgh, West Dunbartonshire, and Lomond. Promote and develop active involvement to reach and support greater numbers from early learning settings and with additional support needs (ASN).

Some of the essentials we are looking for in candidates

A relevant qualification, to a minimum standard of HNC/SVQ 3 (SCQF level 7) in a discipline related to working with children and young people, or equivalent work experience.

Ideally, you will have experience working with children in Early Years settings.

You will also need a minimum of two years’ experience working in youth work, community, or education settings, as well as demonstrate knowledge of co-production, child protection, participatory decision-making, and much more.