Outreach Worker (Term-Time) (Fixed Term) - WDN06462

West Dunbartonshire Council; Scotland; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Flexible working

25 days annual leave

Wellbeing & counselling

Job summary

West Dunbartonshire Council seeks a Whole Family Outreach Worker to deliver group and 1:1 support to parents and carers. The role focuses on improving family wellbeing, resilience, and confident engagement with services across West Dunbartonshire.

The post is fixed-term until 27 March 2027 and is term-time, with pro-rata salary to hours worked. PVG membership is essential and flexible working is available to support work-life balance.

Qualifications

• PVG scheme membership is essential.
• PVG Scheme update check prior to a formal offer may be required.

Responsibilities

• Support families by strengthening parent–child relationships and wellbeing.
• Engage parents to support learning, development, and emotional health.
• Build parental confidence in accessing services and supporting children's needs.

Skills

Relationship-building

Effective communication

Independent & collaborative work

Motivation to improve outcomes

Resilience in challenging situations

Job description

This post is fixed term until 27/03/2027

As this post is term-time, the salary will be pro-rata to the hours worked.

We are seeking a committed and skilled Whole Family Outreach Worker to join our team and contribute to improved outcomes for children and families across West Dunbartonshire. This role is central to strengthening family relationships, promoting wellbeing and ensuring parents and carers are equipped with the confidence and skills needed to support their children’s development and learning.

About the Role

The successful candidate will deliver both group-based and one‑to‑one support to parents and carers, offering guidance that enhances family wellbeing and promotes strong parent–child relationships. You will play a key role in helping families build resilience, develop new skills and access timely and appropriate support. This is a dynamic and rewarding position, ideally suited to someone who thrives in a varied, people‑focused role and is committed to making a lasting impact.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Families

• Provide opportunities that strengthen parent–child relationships and improve overall family wellbeing.
• Engage parents in supporting their children’s learning, development, and emotional health.
• Build parental confidence in accessing services and supporting their children’s needs effectively.

Problem Solving & Support Planning

• Work collaboratively with families and partner services to identify needs and plan appropriate supports.
• Signpost families to relevant agencies and community resources.
• Deliver parenting programmes and targeted interventions for children and families.

Partnership Working

• Facilitate effective interagency collaboration to ensure coordinated and impactful support.
• Liaise with external agencies to provide holistic, ongoing assistance.
• Develop strong outreach and home-link relationships with families.

Service Development

• Contribute to the development of documentation, protocols, and service improvements in collaboration with the link officer.
• Support local efforts to reduce the poverty‑related attainment gap through targeted family engagement.

Decision Making & Professional Judgement

• You will work closely with your link officer to ensure that families receive appropriate, timely support, using professional judgement to guide referrals, signposting and intervention planning.

Working Relationships

Internal

• Collaborate with colleagues across services to identify and support vulnerable families.
• Deliver parenting support through group sessions and one‑to‑one work within community settings.

External

• Establish strong links with community organisations and support agencies.
• Assist families in accessing local facilities, community resources and ongoing support networks.

Most Challenging Aspect of the Role

The post involves working with families who may be experiencing complex or emotionally challenging circumstances. Resilience, empathy and the ability to maintain professional boundaries are essential in supporting families who may initially be hesitant or disengaged. Your ability to build trust and navigate these challenges will be critical to achieving positive, sustainable change.

Who We Are Looking For

• Compassionate, patient, and family‑centred
• Skilled in relationship‑building and effective communication
• Confident working both independently and collaboratively
• Motivated to improve outcomes for children and families
• Resilient and able to manage emotionally demanding situations

If you are committed to empowering families and wish to contribute to a forward‑thinking, supportive team, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

This post is considered as Regulated Work with Children and Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 and as such membership with the PVG scheme is essential. Further details of this scheme can be found here.

Preferred applicants will be required to become members of the relevant PVG scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme update check prior to a formal offer being made by West Dunbartonshire Council.

Responsibilities

The employment for which you are applying is excepted from the provisions of section 4(2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders (Exceptions) Order 1975. Applicants are, therefore, not statutorily entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are "spent" under the provisions of the Act. In the event of employment any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action.

The Individual

The successful candidate will benefit from the following:

WDC was voted one of the top ten flexible employers and prides itself in providing flexible working to support work life balance. In addition to this there are also additional benefits:

• Access to the Local Government pension scheme (LGPS) with an employer’s contribution of at least 19.3% and all associated benefits
• A minimum of 25 days annual leave, increasing a day each year up to 35 days as well as 8 fixed public holidays each year
• Access to employee wellbeing supports including occupational health & counselling if ever you need help and support