Reference number: CF26-39
Location: Dalkeith
Salary: Band C, £30,602– £35,778 per annum
Post Type: Fixed term (untilSEp 2027), Full-time (35 hours per week)
Closing Date: 26th August 2026
Interview Date: 3rd September 2026
A fantastic opportunity to join the Children First team in Midlothian
Every child deserves to be safe, loved and well with their family.
At Children First, we stand alongside children, young people and families to help them build on their strengths, overcome challenges and create lasting change. We believe children should be heard, their rights respected and their voices at the centre of every decision that affects them.
This is an exciting opportunity to join our Midlothian team, supporting children, young people and families experiencing a range of challenges, including parental substance use, poverty, poor mental health and trauma. The service also provides support to kinship carers and the children in their care, as well as Armed Forces families.
Working alongside families in their homes, schools and communities, you will be part of a skilled and caring team that delivers both whole family and individual support. Our practice is grounded in relational, systemic, strengths-based and restorative approaches. We recognise that families are experts in their own lives and work alongside them to identify what is working well, build resilience and create positive futures for children.
Alongside one-to-one and family support, we help families develop meaningful connections through peer support groups and links to their local communities, strengthening the relationships and networks that help children thrive.
About you
We're looking for someone who:- Shares our commitment to putting children first and upholding children's rights.
- Understands the importance of listening to children and ensuring their voices influence the support they receive.
- Has experience of working with children, youngpeopleand families, including involvement in child protection processes.
- Values restorative, relationship-based and strengths-focused ways of working.
- Can work alongside families with compassion,curiosityand respect.
- Brings an understanding of the diverse experiences and needs of families across our communities.
- You will hold a professional qualification in a relevant discipline such as Social Work, Teaching, Childcare, Social Care, Counselling, or another related field at SCQF Level 9 or above.
Why Children First?
Children First is Scotland's national children's charity. We are ambitious for every child in Scotland to grow up safe, loved and well with their family. We provide emotional, practical and financial support to children and families and campaign tirelessly to protect and uphold the rights of every child.We are determined that the incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) becomes a reality in children's everyday lives. We want children to be listened to, respected and meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them.
If you believe in the power of relationships, the strengths within families, and children's right to be heard, we'd love to hear from you.
Our Values
Living our values, you will help create a workplace where our people can thrive, ensuring we deliver the best possible support to children and families.
With love, we put children first.
With purpose, we transform lives together.
With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.
How to Apply
If you share our values and are passionate about supporting our people, we would love to hear from you.
Closing Date: 26th August 2026
Interview Date: 3rd September 2026
Contact: For more information, email midlothian@childrenfirst.org.uk or contact Johnny or Lauren on 0131 6549540
FULL JOB DESCRIPTION
Role Summary
To deliver high‑quality, relationship‑based support to children, young people and families through whole family support, group work and community-based interventions. The project worker will have the ability to work across various projects within the Edinburgh Family Wellbeing team. They will work collaboratively within a multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency context, strengthening families’ capacity to keep children safe and recover from trauma.
The role contributes to Children First’s strategic aims, including early intervention, prevention, community resilience and upholding children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the GIRFEC framework.
Key Results Areas
1. Building Trusting Relationships
Build and sustain strong, compassionate and respectful relationships with children, young people and families. Work in a trauma‑informed, strengths‑based way that recognises lived experience, builds confidence and supports recovery.
2. Direct Support to Children and Families
Provide direct emotional, practical and therapeutic support to children, young people and families. Respond flexibly to need, offering consistent support that promotes safety, wellbeing and stability.
3. Child Centred Assessment
Complete timely, high‑quality assessments in line with Scotland’s National Practice Model. Ensure assessments reflect families’ stories, hopes and strengths in their own words and clearly identify what matters most to children.
4. Planning and Progressing Support
Work alongside families to develop, review and progress support plans through the Children First Connections framework. Regularly review progress, adapt support as circumstances change and recognise achievements with children and families.
5. Participation and the Voice of the Child
Support children and young people to express their views in ways that feel safe and meaningful to them. Uphold their rights by ensuring Space, Voice, Audience and Influence, demonstrating clearly how their views inform decisions and next steps.
6. Group Work Delivery
Co‑design, deliver and evaluate group work for children, young people and families. Use group activities to build wellbeing, connection and resilience, and to reduce isolation through shared experiences.
7. Community Connection and Early Help
Develop positive links with local communities, schools and third sector organisations. Promote Children First services as early help and support families to access community‑based resources that strengthen long‑term safety, belonging and wellbeing.
8. Partnership Working
Work effectively as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, collaborating with colleagues across health, education, social work, justice and third sector partners. Contribute to joint assessments, planning meetings, reviews and safeguarding processes.
9. Information Sharing and Safeguarding
Share information responsibly and proportionately, in line with Children First information governance policies. Always prioritise children’s safety, rights and dignity, and contribute to safeguarding when concerns arise.
10. Family Led Decision Making
Support approaches that enable families to lead decision making, including Family Group Decision Making. Promote solutions that strengthen family and community connections and help prevent unnecessary separation.
Corporate Responsibility
- Be committed and adhere to Children First vision, mission and values.
- Comply with Children First Safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Comply with Children First Code of Conduct and any relevant professional standards relating to the role.
- Actively consider the involvement of children, young people and families with whom we work, in all areas of practice and to implement the Children First Participation Standards.
- Actively consider the involvement of volunteers in all areas of our work and implement the Children First Volunteer Development Policy.
- Observe all health and safety requirements.
- Work within and promote policies in relation to Diversity Equity and Inclusion and anti-discriminatory practices.
- Undertake any other reasonably required duties as instructed by line manager or someone acting on their behalf, in addition to the role specific responsibilities detailed below.
We are looking for a skilled and compassionate Project Worker who can deliver high‑quality individual, family and group‑based support to children, young people and families. You will build strong, trusting relationships using a trauma‑informed, strengths‑based approach, ensuring children and families feel listened to, respected and supported. You will be a responsive and flexible practitioner, able to offer support at times of need and when families are available, recognising that engagement often happens outside of standard routines.
You will be confident in completing timely, high‑quality assessments rooted in Scotland’s National Practice Model, capturing families’ stories, hopes and strengths in their own words. You will work alongside families to develop, review and progress support plans through the Children First Connections framework.
Alongside being a member of the Midlothian Family Wellbeing Hub, you will work effectively as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, sharing information responsibly, upholding children’s rights and supporting family‑led decision making that helps prevent unnecessary separation from families and communities.
Need to Have | Need to Show | Need to Know | Need to Be | Core Values |
| Diploma in social work or other relevant professional qualifications (in Health, Education, Community Education) at SCQF level 9 Full current driving license The ability to work flexible hours in line with project and service delivery requirements to ensure families have the right support at the right time Experience of direct work with children and young people in a variety of settings and supporting children, young people and families in partnership with them, their networks and other workers. Experience in identifying and managing risk Experience attending meetings regarding children and young people. Inclusive working practices and support | Ability to facilitate and deliver group work with children, young people and families. Ability to co-design projects, getting children, young people and families involved in shaping services and amplifying their voice. Strongly demonstrate cultural competence and sensitivity. Organisational skills and ability to prioritize own workload effectively and to work under pressure Ability to assess, act on and contribute to, in partnership, managing risks within internal and multi-agency procedures | Knowledge and understanding of how children and young people develop their needs and associated risk factors. Understand vulnerability, promote resilience and identify protective factors. Child protection and care planning processes and systems. Relevant childcare legislation, guidance and frameworks that relate to children’s rights. Awareness of national government policies and priorities and the implications for practice. A sound knowledge and understanding of theories that underpin our work with children, young people and their families. Knowledge of issues and intersectional challenges that can get in the way of children’s wellbeing Knowledge of statutory social work role and function. | Creative and imaginative in designing methods of engagement with children, young people and families. Ability to work in a solution focused way that empowers families. Ability to adapt and respond to a variety of situations and people to meet changing priorities and different ways of working Excellent observational and analytical skills Ability to maintain and produce accurate and timely records and reports. Effective time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines Effective written and verbal reporting skills Excellent communication and listening skills with children and young people Ability to communicate clearly and concisely Inter-agency liaison and communication skills | We are looking for someone who lives these values in their everyday practice With Love: putting children first with compassion, kindness and care With Purpose: working alongside families and partners to create meaningful change With Strength: doing whatever it takes to protect children and uphold their rights |