Project Worker (East Ayrshire)

Job Title: Project Worker (East Ayrshire)
Ref number:    CF26-71
Division: Children and Family Services
Post Type: Permanent / Full Time (35 hours) x 3 Posts
Location: East Ayrshire
Salary:   C-11 £30,602 - £35,778
Closing Date:  20^th November 2026
Interview Date:  25^th/27^th November 2026
 
A fantastic opportunity to join Children First in East Ayrshire

Children First’s 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 put children first and campaign to uphold the rights of every child. 

Our service is continuing to grow as we further embed Family Group Decision Making at the heart of our practice with families in East Ayrshire. We are looking for Project Workers who will build meaningful relationships with children, young people, parents, and their wider family networks, creating a safe and supportive space for everyone to be heard. 

Are you passionate about empowering families to find their own solutions and make plans that keep children safe and connected to those who matter most?

Would you like to engage wider family networks, facilitate meaningful discussions, and support families to work together during difficult times?

Do you have experience supporting children and their families through difficult times whilst encouraging them to take an active part in decisions that affect their lives?

The role will focus on helping families overcome barriers, strengthen relationships, connect with community resources and maintain progress towards agreed family plans. The post holder will promote family-led solutions, build resilience and support families to safely care for and nurture their children within their own family and community networks. 
This is a relationship-based role where listening, curiosity, compassion and belief in families are as important as practical support. You will draw on family-led planning and strengths-based approaches reflected in FGDM practice and Children First's wider family support model. 
 
What kind of people are we looking for?

• have experience of keeping children safe in their own families
• are fiercely passionate about children’s rights
• thinks 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.

At Children First, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that reflects communities across Scotland. Guided by our values, With Love, With Purpose, With Strength, we strive to create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported to thrive. We actively work to remove barriers to inclusion and promote equity in all aspects of our work. We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially those from marginalised communities, and are dedicated to ensuring a fair and supportive recruitment process.

Base
You will be based with our East Ayrshire FGDM team, co located in the HSCP, Kilmarnock/Cumnock.

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: 20^th November 2026
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

Role Summary

 
The Project Worker will be part of the Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) team in East Ayrshire supporting families to sustain and review the plans they have developed through the Family Group Decision Making process. The post holder will provide relationship-based, strength-focused support to children, young people, families and their wider support networks.
The role will focus on helping families overcome barriers, strengthen relationships, connect with community resources and maintain progress towards their plans. The Project Worker will promote family-led solutions, build resilience and support families to safely care for and nurture their children within their own family and community networks. Drawing on family-led planning and strengths-based approaches reflected in FGDM practice and Children First's wider family support model. 
This is a relationship-based role where listening, curiosity, compassion and belief in families are as important as practical support. 
 
Key Results Areas

Supporting Family Plans

• Work alongside families following Family Group Decision Making to support implementation of agreed plans and goals.
• Assist family members to identify strengths, resources and practical actions that contribute to sustaining family plans.
• Assist families access the physical, emotional and financial resources that will keep their children safe and happy.

 Relationship-Based Family Support

• Build trusting, respectful and compassionate relationships with children, young people and family members.
• Work in a trauma-informed and with a strength-based approach.
• Promote confidence, resilience and problem-solving within families.
• Support family members to improve communication and strengthen relationships.

Child-Centered Practice

• Ensure children's views, wishes and feelings remain central to decision making.
• Support children and young people to participate meaningfully in decisions affecting them.
• Advocate for children's rights and promote their inclusion in family discussions and reviews.

 Community and Network Development

• Assist families to strengthen and expand their natural support networks.
• Encourage participation in community activities that reduce isolation and promote wellbeing.
• Help families identify sustainable supports beyond statutory services.

 
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 implementing 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.

 
What We’re Looking For

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, strength‑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.

Person Specification

Need to Have (Qualifications and Experience)	Need to Show (Skills)	Need to Know	Need to Be
·       Diploma in Social Work or a relevant professional qualification (e.g., Health, Education, Community Education) at SCQF level 9. ·       Experience in statutory settings and with children  ·       Experience of working with families when there are safeguarding and wellbeing concerns ·       Experience working alongside volunteers, and students. ·       Experience working in restorative and trauma informed environments. ·       Experience of solution focussed and strengths based practices	·      Direct experience working with children and young people in various settings, supporting families and networks collaboratively.  ·      Experience conducting group and/or family work with children, young people and families in adversity. ·      Experience attending meetings regarding children and young people. ·      Experience helping children and young people share their views and participate in decisions affecting them.  ·      Experience in multi-agency working, particularly in risk identification and management.	·       Knowledge and understanding of how children and young people develop, their needs and associated risk factors, and understanding vulnerability and promoting resilience. ·       Child protection and care planning processes, systems, and agencies ·       Relevant childcare legislation and guidance relating to children’s rights.  ·       Awareness of national government policies and priorities and implications for practice ·       Knowledge of theoretical framework for working therapeutically with children, young people and their families ·       Knowledge of services and issues relevant to the needs of children and young people ·       Knowledge of Statutory social work role and function	Flexible in approach to work Committed to and understand the principles of working with volunteers and students. ·       Be able to drive and have access to a car. ·       Committed to Children First approach and the relational nature of our work.  ·       Confident and able to form effective and credible relationships with all levels of staff ·       Aware of personal responsibility in relation to health and safety.