At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and deliver engaging group activities for children and young people with additional needs.
- Company: Join Action for Children, a dedicated team making a real difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy over 7 weeks paid leave, flexible hours, and discounts at 15,000 retailers.
- Other info: Flexible hours available, with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact while shaping a new service in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting children, strong organisational skills, and a positive attitude.
The predicted salary is between 29900 - 29900 £ per year.
Salary: £26,006.84 - £29,900 per annum, pro rata
Location: Morayshire
Contract/Hours: Permanent / We have a range of hours to offer from casual hours, 12 hours and up to 37 hours per week to suit the needs of the rota and the nature of group work.
Benefits:
- Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
- Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
- Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
- Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
- Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.
A bit about the role:
We’re looking for a Children’s Services Practitioner to help plan, organise, and deliver a variety of weekly group sessions. You’ll play a key part in creating safe, enjoyable experiences that are tailored to the needs of each child or young person. Flexibility is important, as sessions take place after school during the week and on Saturday mornings, and you’ll need to travel across Moray to meet the needs of the service. No two days will be the same—you’ll be working in a dynamic, rewarding environment where your creativity and adaptability will make a real difference.
If you have experience supporting children and young people, particularly those with additional support needs or neurodiversity, and you enjoy bringing activities to life in a warm, inclusive way, we’d love to hear from you. This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape a new service, develop professionally, and make a meaningful impact across Moray.
About the Service:
Moray Group Activities is a vibrant service offering short, social opportunities for children and young people aged 5–18 with additional support needs. We’re committed to creating a fun, inclusive, and supportive space where young people can build confidence, develop social skills, and enjoy meaningful activities alongside their peers. Our group sessions run after school and at weekends in various locations across Moray, shaped by the needs of the children and families we support. Each session is designed to be engaging, nurturing, and accessible—helping young people feel safe, included, and able to thrive.
What you do could make a difference:
As a Children’s Services Practitioner you’ll:
- Work closely with colleagues to deliver fun, high‑quality group activities for young people with additional needs, creating spaces where they feel welcomed and supported.
- Plan, develop, and bring to life a wide range of social activities that suit different ages and interests, helping each young person get the most out of their time with us.
- Provide warm, attentive support to every child and young person attending sessions, ensuring they feel safe, included, and understood.
- Engage with young people throughout the sessions, helping them build confidence, develop social skills, and grow their independence at a pace that feels right for them.
- Travel across Morayshire as needed to deliver sessions in the communities where they’re most valued.
Let’s talk about you:
Are you someone who stays steady under pressure and brings a positive, solution‑focused approach to change and challenge? We’re looking for someone with a real can‑do attitude to join our team. Ideally, you’ll bring:
- Experience supporting children and young people with additional needs, and an understanding of what helps them feel safe, included, and confident.
- The ability to build genuine, engaging connections with children and young people.
- Strong organisational skills to help sessions run smoothly and consistently.
- A solid understanding of safeguarding, along with experience putting it into practice.
- A driving licence and access to a car. The role involves travelling across Moray in line with service needs, with reasonable adjustments available under the Equality Act.
Why Action for Children?
Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters. We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here. Will you join us?
Contact: Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13256
Diversity, equality and inclusion:
We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things. We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children.
Childrens Services Practitioner employer: Action for Children
At Action for Children, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment in Morayshire. With flexible working hours, extensive training opportunities, and a commitment to employee well-being, we empower our staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. Join us to be part of a passionate team that values creativity, adaptability, and the importance of every child's safe and happy childhood.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Services Practitioner
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Action for Children.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Action for Children!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Action for Children, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Action for Children or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Services Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Action for Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Action for Children! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
