Family Support Worker - ABS48207

Aberdeenshire Council; Peterhead; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Aberdeenshire Council's Adoption and Fostering Services is seeking a Family Support Worker (Finding Families) to lead our recruitment strategy for family finding in Aberdeenshire. You will work with each team to drive engagement with prospective foster carers and adoptive families.

You will be the first point of contact for those considering fostering or adoption, respond to enquiries, provide information, run events and campaigns, and collaborate with social work, communications and third

Qualifications

• Confident talking to people from all backgrounds.
• Ability to build relationships quickly and sensitively.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Experience with families, communities or the public.
• Experience handling enquiries and providing advice.
• Experience organising events.

Responsibilities

• Be the first point of contact for people thinking about fostering or adoption.
• Respond to enquiries (phone, email, online) and give clear information.
• Build relationships and support people to take the next step.
• Help run community events and recruitment campaigns.
• Work with carers, partners and communities to raise awareness.
• Tracking enquiries and helping improve recruitment and support.

Skills

Confident communication

Relationship building

Listening skills

Public engagement

Job description

Job Description

This is a new and exciting opportunity to join our Adoption and Fostering Services in Aberdeenshire Council. You will work with each team , leading our recruitment strategy for family finding in Aberdeenshire.

Family Support Worker (Finding Families)

Do you want to make a real difference?

• this is more than a job - it's a chance to help children stay connected to their communities, families and support networks
• you'll play a key role in finding and supporting the next generation of foster carers and adoptive families
• every conversation you have could change a child's life

About the role

• you'll be the first point of contact for people thinking about fostering or adoption
• you'll:
  • respond to enquiries (phone, email, online)
  • give clear, honest information about the process
  • build relationships and support people to take the next step
• you'll also:
  • help run community events and recruitment campaigns
  • work with carers, partners and communities to raise awareness

What you'll be doing

• building trust and engagement with prospective carers
• helping families understand what fostering or adoption really involves
• supporting early assessment and progression decisions
• organising and supporting:
  • information sessions
  • outreach and recruitment activity
• working alongside:
  • social work teams
  • communications teams
  • community and third sector partners
• tracking enquiries and helping improve how we recruit and support families [1]

Requirements

What we're looking for

• someone who:
  • is confident talking to people from all backgrounds
  • can build relationships quickly and sensitively
  • has strong communication and listening skills
• experience of:
  • working with families, communities or the public
  • handling enquiries and providing advice
  • organising events or engagement activity
• ability to:
  • assess information and use professional judgement
  • manage workload and follow up consistently
  • work across teams and partners

Fixed Term for a period not exceeding 20/09/2029

Interviews will take place on Monday, 28th September 2026 at Buchan House in Peterhead.

Informal enquiries to Carol Reilly - 01467 536580 or Sara Youngson - 01467 536696

Responsibilities

A Privacy Notice giving you information on the data we hold on you, what we do with that data, who we share your data with and your rights under GDPR is available here . Alternatively we can send a copy if you ask us to by emailing [e-mail]

A current valid Driving Licence is essential.

This post is regulated work with Children and/or Protected Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.

This post has a minimum requirement of one reference, which must be your current or most recent employer.

Please feel free to read our guidance on Requesting Reasonable Adjustments at Interview, Guaranteed Interview and how to request Alternate Formats and Communication Support