At a Glance
- Tasks: Plan and deliver engaging group sessions for children with additional support needs.
- Company: Join Action for Children, a dedicated team making a difference in young lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy over 7 weeks paid leave, flexible hours, and professional training opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Morayshire and excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by creating safe, fun experiences for children and young people.
- 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 – range of hours from casual, 12 hours, up to 37 hours per week to suit rota and 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.
A bit about the role:
We’re looking for a Children’s Services Practitioner to plan, organise and deliver a variety of weekly group sessions. You’ll play a key part in creating safe, enjoyable experiences tailored to 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.
About the Service:
Moray Group Activities offers short, social opportunities for children and young people aged 5–18 with additional support needs. We’re committed to creating a fun, inclusive, 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 on weekends across Moray, shaped by the needs of the children and families we support.
What you do could make a difference:
- Work closely with colleagues to deliver fun, high‑quality group activities for young people with additional needs, creating welcoming, supportive spaces.
- Plan, develop, and bring to life a wide range of social activities that suit different ages and interests.
- Provide warm, attentive support to every child and young person, ensuring they feel safe, included, and understood.
- Engage with young people throughout sessions, helping them build confidence, develop social skills, and grow independence at a pace that feels right for them.
- Travel across Morayshire as needed to deliver sessions in communities where they’re most valued.
Let’s talk about you:
- We’re looking for someone with a real can‑do attitude and a positive, solution‑focused approach to change and challenge.
- 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, and experience implementing it.
- A driving licence and access to a car, as the role involves travelling across Moray.
- Reasonable adjustments available under the Equality Act.
Why Action for Children?
Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, and the chance to grow and learn. When we bring our passion and unique skills to Action for Children, we make a real difference. We’ve been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion:
We work hard to create an inclusive environment where individuality is celebrated and everyone is valued. We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability.
Contact Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13256. Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Children's Services Practitioner in Elgin employer: Action for Children
At Action for Children, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for our staff. With over 7 weeks of paid leave, flexible working hours, and excellent training opportunities, we empower our Children's Services Practitioners to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across Morayshire. Join us in a dynamic role where your creativity and compassion can flourish, all while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative team culture that values diversity and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Services Practitioner in Elgin
✨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 Children's Services Practitioner in Elgin
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.
