At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in the community, helping them overcome challenges and improve their lives.
- Company: Join Action for Children, a passionate organisation dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy over 7 weeks paid leave, flexible working options, and professional training opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in people's lives while working in a dynamic and supportive environment.
- Qualifications: No formal qualifications needed, but experience with justice, addiction, or homelessness is a plus.
- Other info: Flexible hours, travel required, and a driving licence essential for this role.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 36400 £ per year.
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Location: Paisley (community based, covers a wide geographical area with significant travel)
Contract/Hours: Permanent, Full Time – 37 hours per week (including evenings and weekends)
Closing date for applications is midnight of 31st March. Interviews are scheduled to take place on 8th and 9th April.
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
A bit about the role
We are looking for a Community Worker to join this dynamic and impactful programme—someone who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in people's lives. The role requires flexibility and a willingness to work beyond traditional hours when needed, reflecting the responsive nature of the support we provide.
Being able to manage your own time and respond to what the young people you support need is a big part of the role. That flexibility helps us create a service that is inclusive, responsive, and built around real lives and real challenges.
Whilst no qualification is required for this role, experience or knowledge of the challenges faced by people involved in the Justice system, experiencing addiction, or homelessness would be great.
About the Service
We are really excited to share our new Scottish Government–funded programme, which launched in April 2025. It is designed to offer voluntary throughcare support to people across Scotland who are serving short-term sentences or moving on from remand. The service is open to men, women, and young people, making sure support is accessible to everyone who needs it.
The whole approach is based on strong relationships and working closely with partner organisations so people get the right support at the right time. The aim is simple: help people settle back into their communities, improve their wellbeing, and reduce the chances of re‐offending.
The programme runs using a Pod model, where staff from different partner organisations work together in specific areas. Each Pod has a manager from one of the partner organisations, and formal line management sits with an Action for Children manager, keeping everything consistent and well supported.
What you do could make a difference
- Collaborative Pre‐Release Planning: Work with prison staff to create robust pre-release plans, including three-way handovers.
- Utilise Pre-Release Tools: Engage through face-to-face contact, email correspondence, and multi-agency meetings.
- Family-Centred Approach: Collaborate with Families Outside partner to support individuals and their families.
- Effective Working Relationships: Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external colleagues for the best outcomes.
- Information Sharing: Share information with key stakeholders to support multi-agency collaboration.
- Onward Referrals and Service Endings: Identify suitable referrals and ensure smooth service transitions.
Let's talk about you
You will build positive relationships with people supported and wider stakeholders (including partnership working – statutory and third sector). Trauma informed practice and managing a complex context. Solution focused, finding innovative ways to respond to challenges. Prepare and implement dynamic risk management plans and applying Safeguarding processes.
Driving licence and access to a car are essential as the role covers a wide geographical area. The job requires the ability to travel 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 will help us change that where it really matters.
We have been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot has changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn't. So as long as children need us, we will be here.
Will you join us?
Contact: Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 12834
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 are 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.
Community Worker VTC in Paisley employer: Action for Children
Contact Detail:
Action for Children Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Worker VTC in Paisley
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Action for Children and their values. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your approach during interviews to show how your passion aligns with their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. This insider info can give you a real edge!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about scenarios where you've demonstrated flexibility and problem-solving skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Worker VTC in Paisley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for making a difference shine through. We want to see how much you care about supporting people in challenging situations, so share your experiences and motivations!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Community Worker role. Highlight any relevant experience or knowledge you have about the justice system, addiction, or homelessness—this will help us see why you're a great fit!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of what you want to say. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to understand your skills and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Community Worker role and its responsibilities. Familiarise yourself with the challenges faced by individuals in the justice system, addiction, or homelessness. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your passion for making a difference and show that you're ready to tackle the complexities of the job.
✨Showcase Your Flexibility
Since the role requires working beyond traditional hours, be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to adapt. Share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed your time and responded to urgent needs. This will highlight your commitment to providing responsive support.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
The ability to build positive relationships is crucial for this role. Think of specific instances where you've collaborated with others, whether in a professional or volunteer capacity. Highlight how you’ve maintained effective working relationships and contributed to successful outcomes, especially in multi-agency settings.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and trauma-informed practice. Prepare by thinking through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would approach them. This will show your proactive mindset and readiness to handle complex situations.