Young Persons Practitioner in Ellon

Salary: £30,000 per annum

Location: Ellon, Aberdeenshire, however this will be a hybrid role including outreach work and working from home

Contract/Hours: The post is funded initially for 12 months, with a commitment to continued funding for Years 2 and 3 / Full Time - 37 hours per week

Closing date for applications is midnight of Sunday 2nd August and interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place on 6th and 7th August

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 Young Person's Practitioners to join us as we develop new, meaningful work with young people and their families. In these roles, you’ll provide focused, compassionate interventions that help young people overcome challenges, recognise their strengths, and move toward positive lifestyle choices. You’ll work within community settings and alongside families, building trusting relationships and offering steady, reliable support. Strengthening family connections and addressing vulnerabilities is central to the role, ensuring each young person has the best possible foundation to thrive.

About the Service:

Action for Children’s Intensive Intervention Service is a voluntary programme that supports children and young people aged 11–18 who may be at risk of or coerced into serious offending or criminal exploitation. The service offers intensive 1:1 support, group sessions, and positive diversionary activities that help young people build confidence, develop new skills, and make choices that lead them toward safer and more fulfilling futures. A key focus is helping them reconnect with their local community and work in partnership with other agencies to support routes into education, training, or employment and feel able to sustain those opportunities.

What you do could make a difference:

Key responsibilities of a Young Person's Practitioner include:

• Delivering tailored interventions that support positive outcomes while working in line with organisational policies and statutory requirements.
• Helping children and young people reconnect with education, training, or employment, offering guidance and encouragement throughout the process.
• Managing an active caseload and ensuring high quality support across all allocated cases.
• Building trusting relationships with young people, families, partner organisations, and agencies, including carrying out home visits when appropriate.
• Participating in meetings as needed, such as presenting case updates during monthly reviews.
• Promoting and maintaining a safe, supportive environment by following safeguarding and health and safety procedures.

Let’s talk about you:

• SVQ/Diploma Level 3 (or equivalent or a willingness to work towards) in early years and childcare, social care, or a closely related field.
• Practical experience supporting young people, either within social work settings or through work connected to the criminal justice system.
• Background in multi-agency environments such as social care, early years, or health services, with confident application of safeguarding procedures.
• Experience managing a caseload, following agreed processes to complete assessments, develop plans, and carry out reviews that support positive outcomes.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively while maintaining professional boundaries and independent working relationships.
• To participate in a flexible working rota to provide support for young people, some evening and weekend work will be required.
• Driving licence and access to a car. The job requires the ability to travel across a large rural catchment according to the needs of the job, with reasonable adjustments, if required, according to 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?

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.

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