Project Worker - East Ayrshire

A fantastic opportunity to come and join the Children First team in East Ayrshire

At Children First our ambition is for every child in Scotland to be safe, loved and well with their family. As a charity we offer emotional, practical, and financial support to help families to put children first and campaign to uphold the rights of every child.

We have two exciting opportunities to be part of either our innovative Restorative Family Group Decision Making Service, or our East Ayrshire Family Wellbeing Service.

Position one: Project Worker - Family Group Decision Making 

The team and model of relational and restorative approaches, including Family Group Decision Making, will play a pivotal role in the delivery and development of the service, ensuring high quality relationships with children and families and working alongside our partners to evidence impact. We are therefore looking to recruit a dynamic, experienced individual who can help drive the successful development and growth of this new and innovative partnership.

Previous experience in the delivery of Family Group Decision Making is not essential but you must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the principles and values of the approach. You must also show a commitment to complete accredited training, which will be provided.

This is a part-time position of 28 hours per week.

Position two: Project Worker – Family Wellbeing

In this role you will be working alongside families of school aged children who are experiencing mental and emotional distress and subsequently struggling in school, in the community or at home.

At Children First we work with the whole family, and we see our relationships as the key to our approach in improving wellbeing. We offer families space and time to tell their stories, make sense of their difficulties and help them to find their solutions.

You will have a sound knowledge of the impact of trauma and adversity on parenting and on children’s development, and to promote children’s safety and wellbeing, will meet families at times and places that most suits their needs. This post requires flexibility, which mean daytime, evening and weekend work, in order to offer appropriate level of support to individual families and deliver community events.

This position is full-time 35 hours per week.

What kind of people are we looking for?

If you have experience of working within child protection processes, are committed to restorative approaches, meaningfully involving children and families, and have a professional qualification in a relevant area such as Social Work, Teaching or equivalent in Childcare/Social Care or related area, accredited counselling qualification, or other relevant qualification at SCQF level 9 or higher then we want to hear from you.

Children First along with partners share a determination to act upon the recommendations from The Independent Care Review and deliver The Promise to children and young people. We are also determined that the full incorporation of the UNCRC means that children will have their rights respected in all areas of their lives and will have a real say in the way they are supported. If you share this determination, we would love to hear from you.

Additionally, you:

• will have experience of keeping children safe in their own families
• are fiercely passionate about children’s rights
• think it’s a privilege to work with and on behalf of children and families and,
• are kind and will bring their whole selves to the job: heart and mind

What kind of team member will you be?

Knowing our ambition for children, you will be someone who is:

• resilient, skilled and knowledgeable who wants to transform children’s lives
• determined to support children to stay safely with their own family
• big hearted and courageous
• able to build strong relationships and to manage the tricky conversations
• is compassionate and understanding of trauma
• a cool head and clear minded at times of pressure
• inspiring colleagues and teams to be even better
• an amazing ambassador for children and Children First

Above all else, the most important thing to us is that you are someone who will do the right thing for children and their families at every turn.

Base

You will be based in East Ayrshire with our partners in the HSCP and will travel to connect with other parts of the organisation.  You will work on an outreach basis to connect with children and families in communities across East Ayrshire which will require some evening and weekend working.

Salary, Conditions, Pension

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 9 public holidays). ​We have additional benefits such as a cash back health plan, cycle to work scheme, and option to join a ​Credit Union.

Further Information

Closing date: 23rd June. It is anticipated that interviews will be held week commencing 30th June.

We welcome and encourage applications from potential colleagues from all backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, belief, disability who share our values.  If you would like to discuss any aspect of the role before applying, please contact – rosemary.mccabe@childrenfirst.org.uk

For further information and to apply, please visit here.

Please state in your cover letter which position you would like to be considered for.

The selection process will include seeking PVG Scheme. Children First is the working name of the Royal Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Registered Charity No: SC 016092