At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children through targeted groups and deliver engaging online safety lessons.
- Company: CyberSafe Scotland, a passionate child protection agency in Aberdeen.
- Benefits: Fixed-term contract with potential extension and meaningful community impact.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and development in a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Join a mission to protect vulnerable children and make a real difference online.
- Qualifications: Experience working with children and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About CyberSafe Scotland
We are a specialist child protection agency, based in Aberdeen. Our mission is to keep children in Scotland safe online, and we have particular expertise in the prevention of tech-facilitated sexual abuse and exploitation, harassment, gender-based violence and misogyny. We are a close-knit team who are passionate about our mission, programmes and training. Our leading programme is Respected and Safe – which is focused on protecting the most vulnerable children online – through partnership working with schools and families.
About Respected and Safe
Our Respected and Safe Programme consists of close work with Senior Leadership Teams, and delivery of targeted support groups, a full universal lesson programme and work to support parents and caregivers and school staff. Alongside the programme we have opportunities to work with other stakeholders to advocate based on the experiences of the children we support.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for warm and enthusiastic teammates who want to become part of our long-term mission while also serving the local community. Applicants will have an enthusiasm for working with children and young people, a commitment to protecting children, a calm and non-sensational approach to online challenges, and the ability and desire to learn and research developing online harm. Applicants may have a desire to specialise in knowledge around a particular type of online harm. They are likely to have a good understanding and use of online spaces. We are interested in what you will bring to our work whether you are creative or caring, forward thinking or keen to approach the challenge of supporting children and contributing to the development of resources. Applicants must have experience working with children and young people in a paid or voluntary capacity.
Role summary
The project support worker will play a key role in (but not limited to):
- Co-facilitating targeted support groups for girls – developing positive relationships with the children, meeting varied needs across the groups, researching between sessions
- Delivering our universal lessons programme for P6’s and P7’s
- Running sessions for parents and teachers
- Building relationships with school staff, pupils, parents and families
- Project development – evolving resources and materials, running events and other engagement activities
Purpose of the role
The Project Support Worker will support the Lead Project Worker and the Project Manager to deliver our Respected and Safe Programme across partner schools.
Key responsibilities
- Running regular targeted support group sessions with P6&7 girls to provide support with their experiences online
- Delivering a programme of classroom-based online safety sessions to P5-7 classes within our partner schools
- Contributing to the design of parental engagement activities and delivering these online and in person
- Contributing to the development of the schools’ programme and developing relevant materials for classroom and small group sessions
- Working on resources (blogs, videos etc) to support parents and families with their understanding of online harm
Knowledge, skills and experience
Essential Criteria
- Experience of working with children and young people
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to relate to children and their families and build relationships within partner schools and with other external stakeholders
- Good note taking and record keeping
- Ability to work independently and prioritise and manage a busy workload
- Independent transport to schools
Desirable Criteria
- Experience working with vulnerable children and young people
- An awareness and understanding of key apps and games (Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp, Roblox etc)
- Previous experience delivering presentations
- Previous experience of teaching, social work, counselling or youth work
Additional information
The post is a fixed-term 18-month contract with intended extension subject to funding. The responsibilities outlined in this job description should not be regarded as comprehensive in scope and may be added to, or altered as required, in line with the requirements of the office. This post is subject to membership of the PVG scheme (Protection of Vulnerable Groups scheme) and satisfactory PVG Scheme records issued by Disclosure Scotland. Where the contents of a PVG Scheme record are not satisfactory, we reserve the right to terminate employment. Candidates will be required to produce original certificates to enable us to verify qualifications.
Project Support Worker employer: Cybersafe Scotland
CyberSafe Scotland is an exceptional employer dedicated to safeguarding children online, offering a supportive and passionate work environment in Aberdeen. Employees benefit from meaningful engagement with local communities, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to contribute to impactful programmes like Respected and Safe. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, we foster a culture that values creativity and care, making it an ideal place for those committed to child protection and online safety.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Support Worker
✨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 Cybersafe Scotland.
✨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 Cybersafe Scotland!
✨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 Cybersafe Scotland, 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 Cybersafe Scotland 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 Project Support Worker
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 Cybersafe Scotland:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cybersafe Scotland! 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 Cybersafe Scotland
✨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.
