Barnardo's Scotland Fostering North have a fantastic opportunity for a Supervising Social worker to join our busy team on a Full Time (37 hours) permanent basis.

Location: The successful candidate will be home based, however some travel will be required across the Moray, Highland and Aberdeen/Aberdeenshire areas. Please also note that some meetings and training occur Scotland Wide. The Service has an office base in Aberdeen.

As a Supervising Social Worker, you will work within a team of supervising social workers, children's workers, therapists, managers, and admin staff responsible for the recruitment and support of foster carers who provide care to looked after children and young people who are referred to the service from the Local Authority.

Some of the key responsibilities are:

• Work alongside others in providing supervision, support and advice to carers being able to demonstrate initiative whilst also being part of a team
• Ensure that Children & Young Peoples welfare remains paramount and central in all aspects of the service.
• Ensure the voice of children/young people and carers are represented in the service through engaging in and where appropriate lead in the delivery of participation and consultation activities.
• Deliver relevant training to Barnardo's cohort of foster carers and adopters to the relevant standards on both a group and individual basis and provide feedback to enable training materials to be updated to remain relevant and effective.
• Be flexible to respond to the needs of young people, carers and colleagues.

Ideal Candidate's must haves:

• Demonstrate both excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience of Fostering assessments or similar.
• Have a good understanding of the legislation and National Standards we work within.
• Relevant Social Work Qualification such as DipSW, CSS, CQSW
• Valid Social Work Registration with SSSC.
• Demonstrable and applied knowledge of child protection procedures.
• Previous post qualifying experience in childcare setting settings and/or pre- qualifying work experience in Family Placement
• Hold a full UK driving licence with access to their own vehicle.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.

Pay & Reward Framework

We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.

For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out 1st April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a key pillar of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to grow and develop in their career at Barnardo's as it will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues to progress through the pay band of their role.

Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band – this ensures that pay progression steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.

Benefits

Workplace Offer: What it means for you

The world of work has changed. We are understanding of what works best for our colleagues both current and future as we look to embrace this new way of working. Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or any combination of these.

• Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing after 5 years service
• The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our HolidayPlus scheme
• A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options
• Service related sick pay from day 1
• Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution
• Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension
• Cycle2work scheme
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Discounts and cashback from at high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal
• 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
• Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
• Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
• Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer

*T&C's apply based on contract

About Barnardo's

At Barnardo's we believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. Please read about our basis and values following the link below. You will be asked questions relating to them as part of the recruitment process for this role.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is reflected in our values and our practice, and we have invested in this area of our work to ensure that we can deliver on our commitments to be an inclusive employer. EDI is a key enabler of our purpose as a charity and we want to ensure that the diversity of our teams is reflective of the communities we serve and that we continue to learn and develop our work with a focus on inclusion. We particularly encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic Communities, candidates who are LGBT+ and Disabled candidates.

Our basis and values

Benefits:

A generous annual leave entitlement of 29 days PLUS bank holidays

• Up to 5 more days leave for continuous service plus the option to buy and sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications with excellent training, and development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• A pension with a up to a 7% employer contribution rate. Plus, if you pay in to the pension you will receive life assurance cover.
• Staff discount portal with your favourite brands.
• Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 discounts from national retailers.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

“Supporting mental health and wellbeing is a big part of what we do. We help young people talk about how they're feeling, and make sure they don't feel alone.”

Are you passionate about supporting young people's mental health and emotional well-being? We are seeking a dedicated Wellbeing Practitioner to join our fantastic team in Glasgow. As part of the Glasgow Secondary Schools Counselling and Blues Service, you'll play a crucial role in delivering high-quality, school-based professional counselling and group work services to secondary school children aged 12-18 years who are negatively affected or are at risk of being affected by poor mental health.

The Blues Programme is an internationally acclaimed wellbeing programme for young people. Over six weeks, it teaches emotional resilience, and reduces low mood and anxious thoughts. Crucially, it gets teenagers talking.

As a Wellbeing Practitioner, you'll effectively engage with young people to deliver group work support, predominantly within a school setting but there may also be a requirement in a local community. As part of a supportive team, you'll work alongside trained Action for Children Blues specialists who are committed to making a positive impact in what is a truly rewarding role.

From helping students overcome anxiety to supporting their social interactions, your work will make a real difference.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities for the role of a Wellbeing Practitioner are;

• Delivering a complex and specialist interventions with children, young people or families on a 1:1 basis, group or community setting.
• Focussing on resilience and wellbeing at an early intervention level.
• Working with families as indicated by schools and group work.
• Working with our partners to achieve fantastic outcomes for young people and their families mental health.
• Providing lead case/care planning management, including undertaking assessing, reviewing and managing risks.

Let's talk about you

• An understanding of the mental health issues faced by children and you people.
• Working within a multi-agency social care, early years or health environment and applying safeguarding procedures.
• Ability to keep the child and or young people as the focus and ensure their feelings and wishes are represented in meetings and record keeping.
• Ability to communicate effectively and engagingly and to maintain independent professional relationships, boundaries.
• Demonstrable application of working with a diverse community and promoting the principles of equality.

Good to know

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

Contact: If, for any reason, you need support with your application, please contact Laura McCarthy at Laura.McCarthy2@actionforchildren.org.uk. We'll be happy to give you any support you require.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 670,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

Our Residential Support Worker is a great opportunity for those experienced working in a care setting and looking to implement those skills with an aim to progress to the next stage of their career with our help. You'll manage risk in a way which empowers young people and builds resilience, whilst at the same time ensuring their safety. You'll demonstrate a high standard of person-centred practice, have good social care values and be a strong role model to our children and young people.

In return we'll offer you amazing opportunities to progress within our organisation.​ ​

We offer an in-depth induction process and training.

Alongside this, we'll enrol you in the qualifications which you need to work in the industry.​

Regular supervision with your line manager, team meetings etc. will ensure you feel part of our team. ​ ​

Once you've gained the relevant experience and qualifications you'll be ready to progress to the next step in your career with us.

About the service

Our Gilmerton Road Project provides short breaks and outreach support for children and young people (aged 5-21) with learning disabilities and we're excited to offer a unique opportunity for experienced Residential Support Worker's to join our dedicated team.

As a Residential Support Worker, you'll play a pivotal role in empowering children and young people to explore their world, build connections, and create lasting memories by;

Facilitating Short Breaks: As part of a highly skilled team of practitioners, you'll welcome the young people we support to make the most of their short breaks, developing new skills, socialising, and gaining independence while they are in our care.

Community Engagement: You'll also spend time out and about, supporting our children to access local communities. Whether it's a trip to the beach, an afternoon at the zoo, or playtime in the park, you'll be there to facilitate enriching experiences.

We also work in partnership with CAMHS ID and our own Behaviour Consultant to develop and deliver person centred support plans that offer consistency and clear outcomes for all our young people.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• Provide lead case/care planning management, including assessing, reviewing and managing risk.
• Co-ordinating responsibilities within the service, with multi agency and producing family information, including analysis and written reports.
• Attendance at professional meetings including reviews, court work etc.
• Help young people in all aspects of their daily lives.
• Have good communication skills and the ability to engage well with both young people, colleagues and other professionals.
• Be a creative thinker and having a solution focused approach.

Let's talk about you

Are you resilient and have a positive approach to change and challenge? We're looking for someone with a ‘can do' attitude to join our team. Ideally you'll have:

• Demonstrable experience of working in a care setting and developing positive relationships through trust.
• Application of a range of techniques to co-ordinate and communicate with service users and their families.
• Demonstrate a solution focused approach to address problems, individually and in a team setting.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience to respond to the challenging nature of the role.
• Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years of commencing employment with us, full support will be provided.

Benefits:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 29 days PLUS bank holidays
• Up to 5 more days leave for continuous service plus the option to buy and sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications with excellent training, and development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• A pension with a up to a 7% employer contribution rate. Plus, if you pay in to the pension you will receive life assurance cover.
• Staff discount portal with your favourite brands.
• Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 discounts from national retailers.
• Vulnerable children in the UK need your help