At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert energy and debt advice to families, helping them stay connected and financially resilient.
- Company: Join Children 1st, Scotland’s leading charity dedicated to protecting children and supporting families.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and wellbeing support for you and your family.
- Other info: Work across Scotland with opportunities for professional growth and a chance to impact vulnerable communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in energy advice or community support is essential; passion for helping families is a must.
The predicted salary is between 30602 - 35778 £ per year.
Job
Title: Energy Lead/Advisor (Support line) X 2 posts.
Reference number: CF26-49.
Division: Children and Families.
Location: National Role based in West or East of Scotland with travel across Central belt.
Post
Type: Permanent, full-time (35 hours).
Closing
Date: 28th September 2026.
Interview
Date: Week commencing 5th October 2026.
This is an exciting opportunity to work within our Support line Advice Service as well as support our Wider aims as a charity.
Our Advice service works alongside support colleagues to help families to address the challenges and risks which may have led to vulnerability, promote connection to their local communities, and improve financial stability and resilience.
Our aim is to support communities to become more resilient and a place where children feel safe, valued, understood and supported.
The Energy Advisor will work within an integrated model of family support, community connection, and expert energy advice and exploring money and debt advice.
This will enable families to stay connected, keep homes warm and resolve debt and money problems, become more financially resilient and break the cycle of fuel poverty.
A priority for the Energy Advisor will be to increase the energy advice and support we offer our families and with the capacity of our current services to provide Type I and II money advice in one of the most deprived areas in Scotland.
You will work as part of our National Money Advice team.
You will support families within their homes, by telephone and other digital methods deliver workshops within the community and in schools and offer drop‑in sessions within the community.
If you have experience of energy advice, welfare rights, income maximisation, money and debt advice, understand the impact trauma and adversity can have on children and families, and believe that you can apply this to your practice, we want to hear from you.
This is a full time, 35 hours post. Hours to be worked flexibly to suit the needs of families, including evenings and weekends as required.
What we offer
- A workplace with values of with love, with purpose and with strength
- 40 days annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays
- Pension scheme and wellbeing support
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Access to Westfield Health, giving colleagues and their families confidential counselling support, wellbeing resources, and access to health and lifestyle benefits to support physical and mental wellbeing.
- Blue Light card discount
- A Fair Work accredited workplace
Our Values
Living our values, you will help create a workplace where our people can thrive, ensuring we deliver the best possible support to children and families.
With love, we put children first. With purpose, we transform lives together. With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.
- Further Information
- It is anticipated that interviews will be week commencing 5th October 2026
Job description
- General Purpose
- To provide relationship based expert energy, and debt advice to families, help families to stay connected keep homes warm and resolve debt and money problems, become more financially resilient and to achieve long‑term sustainable outcomes for them and their children.
Work as part of the remote National advice team support Supportline in offering advice to parents who are struggling both emotionally and financially.
- Key Results Areas
- To carry out home energy audits, offering one-to-one tailored advice, support, and information to families
- Provide telephone advice and support, home visits, and outreach events across Scotland
- To support wider team to deliver a range of face‑to‑face and remote/digital welfare rights, financial inclusion, income maximisation, debt and energy advice up to and including casework to SNSIAP Type II, introduce and supporting families for representation and preparation for court/tribunal.
- To offer training to Children 1st staff on energy and supporting families with staying warm and connected
- Support families with energy‑saving measures in their homes to help them save energy and reduce their carbon footprint
- To deliver events, workshops and talks for community groups & to the wider public and within local Children 1st hubs
- Attend local events to promote the project and wider charity objectives
- To develop, deploy and manage targeted social media campaigns alongside the senior advisor and comms team
- To work alongside support teams to develop activities and resources to raise awareness of home energy use, and to change attitudes and behaviours
- To engage a wide range of people with the project
- To assist in the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems
- To contribute to written reports for a variety of partners/funders and to support accreditation in Money Advice.
- To develop a network of contacts, including local community groups, for the project to work with
- To promote a multi‑skilled / multi‑agency approach in working collaboratively with relevant organisations and partners, including Home energy Scotland, fuel bank foundation department of work and pensions, HMRC, and as a member of an integrated staff team
- To promote the values and principles of Children 1st in providing support and advice to the most vulnerable families, promoting their full participation and understanding in the services they receive
- To work in partnership with families to address their needs.
- To record, monitor and evaluate information and plan work in accordance with Children 1st policies, procedures, and management systems in line with Scottish National Information and advice standards.
- To work in partnership with staff members and volunteers to assist in the evaluation and continuous improvement of the service.
- To ensure own continuing professional development through the Children 1st appraisal and supervision process.
- This role will cover the east/west of Scotland so will require drivers' licence and access to a vehicle
- Additional Duties
Any additional duties will normally be to cover unforeseen circumstances or changes in work and will usually be appropriate and compatible with the regular type of work.
If an additional task or responsibility becomes a regular or frequent part of the job, it will be included in the job description in consultation with the post holder.
- Additional Responsibilities
- To be committed and adhere to Children 1st vision, mission and values.
- To comply with Children 1st Child Protection and Adult Protection policies and procedures and with National Guidance.
- To comply with Children 1st code of conduct (All Children 1st staff) and Codes of Practice for Social Service Workers and Employers (specific to Children and Family Services Divisional staff).
- To actively consider the involvement of children, young people and families with whom we work, in all areas of practice and to implement the Children 1st Participation Standards.
- To actively consider the involvement of volunteers in all areas of our work and to implement the Children 1st Volunteer Development Policy.
- To observe all health and safety requirements.
- To work within and promote policies in relation to Equal Opportunities and anti‑discriminatory practices.
- Work and adhere to the Scottish National information and advice Standards.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
AREA
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
Qualifications
- City and Guilds Energy Awareness Level 3
- A relevant qualification (in a relevant environmental field, community development and/or advice)
Experience
- Experience working in a related field (such as community development, ENERGY advice, advocacy, charities)
- Experience in delivering energy advice.
- Experience of working with people with multiple and complex needs
- Experience in preparation and presentation of casework including case recording.
- Experience of liaising effectively with partner agencies
- Experience of balancing and prioritizing a varied workload
- Experience of advice or support work.
- Experience of delivering training or workshops.
- Experience of marketing and promotion.
- Experience of working in a voluntary organization
- Experience of debt solutions and case work
- Knowledge
- Good knowledge of energy and fuel poverty issues
- A sound working knowledge of social security benefits including UK wide and Scottish specific ·
- Good working knowledge of generalist advice issues including debt, financial issues affecting families.
- Relevant childcare legislation linked to associated welfare benefits
- Child development
Skills
- Written and verbal reporting skills
- Excellent communication skills
- Assessment, monitoring, review and evaluation
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Inter‑agency liaison and communication
- Creativity and imagination in response to engaging with families
- Group work, family work,
- Delivering training
- Other
- Commitment to Children First vision, mission and values
- Commitment to and understanding of the principles of participation
- Commitment and promotion of equal opportunities and anti‑discriminatory practices at work
- Aware of personal responsibility in relation to health and safety
- Ability to work flexible hours and remotely as required.
- Driving Licence
About us
Children First is Scotland’s national children’s charity.
We stand up for every child because all children should have a safe childhood.
We protect children from harm and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services.
We help children, their families and the people that care for them by offering emotional, practical, and financial support.
We give children hope and a safer, brighter future.
- Our core values guide how each one of us works in our individual day to day job:
- With love, we put children first.
- With purpose we transform children’s lives together.
- With strength we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.
These values are reflected in everything we do. If you share our vision and values and would like to join our team then we would love to hear from you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Energy Lead (Support Line) employer: Children First
Children First is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children and families in Glasgow and surrounding areas. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer 40 days of annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and access to comprehensive health resources, all within a supportive and values-driven work culture. Join us in our mission to transform lives, where your contributions will be valued and you will have opportunities for personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Energy Lead (Support Line)
✨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 Children First.
✨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 Children First!
✨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 Children First, 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 Children First 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 Energy Lead (Support Line)
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 Children First:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Children First! 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 Children First
✨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.
