Children’s Services Support Worker (Early Years), Uist & Barra Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

The Highland Times; Balivanich; Remote; GBP 18,000 - 19,000; Part time

Job summary

Comhairle is seeking a Children’s Services Support Worker (Early Years) in Uist & Barra. The role is 18 hours per week on a fixed term contract until 31 March 2027. Salary ranges from £17,772 to £19,149 per annum, inclusive of £1,458 Distant Islands Allowance.

The post supports vulnerable children and young people across school, home and community settings, working with families and other staff to promote inclusion and attainment within an Integrated Children’s Services approach.

Qualifications

• Must have knowledge of educational provision and post-school provisions.
• Ability to work with young people with complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• Full driving licence is essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing Behaviour Management Programmes for vulnerable young people.
• Work in family settings and out of school settings to support youths through recreational activities, vocational experiences, group work and independent living.
• Directly manage the behaviour of young people with challenging behaviour.
• Participate in early identification and intervention programmes by monitoring attendance and liaison with school staff.

Skills

Behaviour management

Group work

Independent living

Recreational activities

Education

HNC/SVQ in Education

Equivalent vocational qualification

Job description

Children’s Services Support Worker (Early Years), Uist & Barra

18 hours per week, fixed term to 31 March 2027

£17,772 – £19,149 per annum, inclusive of £1,458 Distant Islands Allowance

The post holder will support the inclusion, attainment and achievement of vulnerable children and young people in school, home and community settings through direct work with children and young people, their families, and other support staff, as part of an Integrated Children’s Services approach.

Duties will vary between settings, depending on the needs of the children and young people involved but could include the following: assisting in the design of Behaviour Management Programmes for vulnerable young people; working in family settings and out of school settings to support young people through recreational activities, vocational experiences, group work and independent living; directly managing the behaviour of young people with challenging behaviour; and participating in early identification and intervention programmes by monitoring attendance and liaison with school staff.

You must have knowledge of educational provision, including post-school provisions along with a good understanding on the needs of children who need to be looked after and/or accommodated. It is essential you have the ability to work with and understand young people who may have complex social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

The post holder must be educated to HNC/SVQ level in a relevant area (Education, Social Work, Psychology or Health) or equivalent vocational qualification or relevant work experience.

A full driving licence is essential for this post.

This post is subject to membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme as a legal requirement of a regulated role with Children (Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme – mygov.scot).

Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.

Please note that the Comhairle operates security measures to protect its information and systems. Employees are required to comply with information security policies and may be required to use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or other approved authentication methods when accessing Comhairle systems.

Closing Date: Monday 16 November 2026

Salary for the above post is inclusive of Distant Islands Allowance. Appointment to the post will be on the first point of the grade.

Please note that sponsorship is not available, or being offered, in connection to this post.