Child and Family Worker - Intensive Family Support Service, Stranraer

Aberlour; Scotland; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charity in Scotland is seeking a passionate Child and Family Worker. This role involves supporting families with various challenges, including those affected by drug and alcohol issues. The post is a fixed term until March 2027 with generous benefits, including training opportunities and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Excellent employer pension scheme

Deals and discounts across various retailers

Qualifications

• Experience of working with vulnerable families is necessary.
• Must be able to establish routines and build life skills.
• Driving licence essential; consideration for alternative transport if disabled.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with children and their families in various settings.
• Undertake assessments to identify support needs.
• Lead group work sessions and collaborate with partner agencies.

Skills

Knowledge of child development

Flexibility

Collaborative working

Education

Relevant professional qualification at SCQF level 8 or above

Job description

• Salary inclusive of 5% unsocial hours allowance. 37.5 hours per week. Fixed Term until 31st March 2027.
• REQ001435

Role

About Intensive Family Support Service

Our service supports families in the Dumfries and Galloway area who are struggling to cope. The families we work withmay have a wide range of issues, which include drug and alcohol use within the family. As a Child and Familyworker you would work directly with the whole family in various settings, such as their own homes, our dedicatedbase and other community locations.

You will be the trusted person they could talk about what they are going through at home. You whilst undertakingassessments to identify what support we can provide. You will work with the children and the family offeringpractical help, in the community, family home, liaising with partner agencies, schools and nurseries.Participate and lead group work sessions. Attending meetings, children’s hearings, school meetings & healthappointments as required necessary. You will help establish routines and build life skills with families. Helpfamilies build parenting skills and confidence.

What we are looking for....

You should have a sound knowledge of child development and be able to work with parents either individually or ingroups to develop their parenting skills & confidence.

We are looking to recruit a child and family worker to work 37.5 hours per week. An unsocial hours allowance isincorporated into the salary to support the requirement to be flexible with your approach and available to workweekends, evenings and public holiday to meet the needs of the families you will support. This post is offeredon a temporary basis until 31st March 2027 however we are actively seeking funding to extend this further.

We are looking for candidates who are passionate about supporting young people, families and communities, who areflexible and share our vision that collaborative working and relationship based early intervention is the bestoption for young people and families who are feeling overwhelmed or excluded. A current driving licence is anessential requirement of this post. However, if you have a disability which precludes you from holding a drivinglicence consideration will be given if alternative transport can be arranged.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need toreach 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 forthis 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 andrewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generousannual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.Find out more about our Employee Benefits andour commitment to Equality andDiversity .

Aberlour is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of all our service users and uses a thorough and rigorousrecruitment and selection process including PVG Scheme checks to ensure this commitment is not compromised.

Applications to be returned by: midnight Wednesday 23rd July 2025.

A Scottish Guarantee Co No: SC312912 Scottish Charity No. SC007991

Our Dumfries and Galloway Services provide support to young people and families throughout Dumfries and Galloway. Oursupport works alongside families using a strengths based approach within the community and families homes. Thispost will work with the Service Manager to support all our services within Dumfries and Galloway.

Intensive Family Support

We help children, young people and families who are struggling to manage the challenges of day to life. They beaffected by a range of issues, including drug and alcohol use. We support children from birth, and workalongside whole families. We offer support which builds on existing strengths and interests, helping familiesfind their own solutions and make new community connections.

What we are looking for....

We are looking to recruit an Assistant Service Manager to join our team. You will work 37.5 hours per week, althoughyou will be supporting the management of the service you will be expected to carry your own caseload. This postwill be based between Stranraer and Dumfries, supporting families throughout the Dumfries and Galloway area.This post is initially offered on a fixed term basis until 31st March 2027, however we are actively seekingfurther funding to allow us to extend this contract.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about ensuring our young people live their best lives and haveopportunities to develop and grow. We are looking for someone who will contribute to the leadership, managementand development of the service for children, young people and their families in line with agreed objectives andassist with service review and evaluation. You will hold a caseload and work alongside families, empowering themto lead positive change in their own lives.

We are looking for candidates who are experienced in working alongside vulnerable families to assess strengths andneeds as well as plan, deliver and evaluate interventions and strategies which enable families to thrive. Youwill have experience of child and adult protection issues. You Ideally you will hold a relevant professionalqualification at SCQF level 8 or above, together with relevant experience of working directly with children oryoung people and their families.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need toreach 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 andrewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generousannual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across variousretailers.

Are you passionate about working with young people with additional support needs?

Do you want to make a difference to their lives?

Do you have relevant experience of working with them?

About Options Ayrshire

In addition to us having a short residential breaks service, our Out of School Club is based outside of Ayr within abuilding at Mosshill Industrial Estate.

We offer a safe, nurturing and explorative environment for young people to come and play either after school or on aSaturday morning that gives their families and/or carers a rest from their caring role. During that break,children enjoy a range of fun activities and experiences with our staff who specialise in taking care ofchildren with additional support needs. In addition to this, we run a busy Easter and summer Holiday ActivityClub which staff are encouraged to participate in also.

What we are looking for...

Working as part of the staff team you will ensure that the highest level of physical and emotional care is providedto the young people using the Out of School Club. Experience of working with this group of young people ishighly desirable.

This post is for 20 hours per week, during term time (to include bank holidays and in-service days), with frequentopportunities to work additional hours if desired. Shifts are typically Tuesday – Friday, 2.30pm – 6.15pm, and9.30am – 1.30pm on Saturdays. This post attracts a 5% unsocial hours allowance.

You will be required to register with the Scottish Social Services Council, and meet, or be prepared to gain, thequalifications requirements for this post which is at SCQF level 6 (for example, SVQ Level 3 or HNC).

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need toreach 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 andrewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generousannual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across variousretailers.

At Aberlour Options Borders we provide a range of support services for young people up to the age of 18 years whohave various disabilities. Our aim is to provide families with a short break from their caring role through theprovision of high-quality child-centred services which provide a positive experience for the young people wework with.

We have a strong reputation for supporting young people with high levels of complex needs, supporting them to grow,learn and maximise their potential. We believe that every child has the right to flourish. Our Young People’sWorkers play a fundamental role in ensuring that the young people they work with have the best possibleexperience in working towards their objectives in line with their care plan. Whilst not without its challengesand demands, this is a highly rewarding role, where the work we do has a demonstrable impact on each youngperson's progress. Using a person-centred approach you will provide enabling support ensuring the highestlevel of physical, personal and emotional care to support children in their daily living and within the localcommunity.

What we are looking for....

We have an opening for a Young People’s Workers to join our staff team, on a permanent basis, working 30 hours perweek.

Weekday shifts take place during late afternoons and evenings, while weekend and holiday shifts are split as earlyand late shifts over the hours between 8am and 10pm. There is also a requirement to do sleepover shifts whichare paid at £67 per sleepover.

This role will involve key working responsibilities and administrative tasks such as completing daily care notes,medication Kardex recording and care plan updates.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need toreach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team.

Experience is desired, but not always essential. Full training for the role is provided by Aberlour, with regularupdates.

This is a regulated role, and successful candidates would need to be registered with the SSSC and PVG scheme.

A driving license is desired but not essential.

A Day in the Life of a Young People’s Worker

Our day usually starts with the morning routine. We support our young people to get ready for their day ahead,assisting with all aspects of personal care. We then prepare breakfast and medications as required for our youngpeople and organise the day’s activities. We encourage choice and decision making for planning fun activities inthe local community and beyond, assisting young people with communication and everyday tasks.

In the evenings, we organise in-house activities and enjoy relaxing with movies, sensory play and spending time withfriends.

"Aberlour Options Borders provide a safe, fun and homely environment for respite for our son. He loves going tostay and asks daily when his next visit is" - (Parent)

"Aberlour treat me like part of the family" - (Young Person)

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued andrewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generousannual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across variousretailers.

At Aberlour Options Borders we provide a range of support services for young people up to the age of 18 years whohave various disabilities. Our aim is to provide families with a short break from their caring role through theprovision of high-quality child-centred services which provide a positive experience for the young people wework with.

We have a strong reputation for supporting young people with high levels of complex needs, supporting them to grow,learn and maximise their potential. We believe that every child has the right to flourish. Our Young People’sWorkers play a fundamental role in ensuring that the young people they work with have the best possibleexperience in working towards their objectives in line with their care plan. Whilst not without its challengesand demands, this is a highly rewarding role, where the work we do has a demonstrable impact on each youngperson's progress. Using a person-centred approach you will provide enabling support ensuring the highestlevel of physical, personal and emotional care to support children in their daily living and within the localcommunity.

What we are looking for....

We have an opening for a Young People’s Worker to join our staff team, on a permanent basis. Contracted hours aresplit: 23 hours per week during term time for 42 weeks of the year and 35 hours per week for 10 weeks of theyear (during school holidays).

Weekday shifts take place during late afternoons and evenings, while weekend and holiday shifts are split as earlyand late shifts over the hours between 8am and 10pm. There is also a requirement to do sleepover shifts whichare paid at £67 per sleepover.

This role will involve key working responsibilities and administrative tasks such as completing daily care notes,medication Kardex recording and care plan updates.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need toreach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team.

Experience is desired, but not always essential. Full training for the role is provided by Aberlour, with regularupdates.

This is a regulated role, and successful candidates would need to be registered with the SSSC and PVG scheme.

A driving license is desired but not essential.

A Day in the Life of a Young People’s Worker

Our day usually starts with the morning routine. We support our young people to get ready for their day ahead,assisting with all aspects of personal care. We then prepare breakfast and medications as required for our youngpeople and organise the day’s activities. We encourage choice and decision making for planning fun activities inthe local community and beyond, assisting young people with communication and everyday tasks.

In the evenings, we organise in-house activities and enjoy relaxing with movies, sensory play and spending time withfriends.

"Aberlour Options Borders provide a safe, fun and homely environment for respite for our son. He loves going tostay and asks daily when his next visit is" - (Parent)

"Aberlour treat me like part of the family" - (Young Person)

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued andrewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generousannual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across variousretailers.