Family Support Worker (UASC) - Throughcare & Aftercare

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £18.70 - £20.91

Temporary until 1st April 2027.
Days and Hours of Work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Days of working is negotiable, flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.
To start asap.

Applications will be accepted from those wishing to be considered for this role on a part-time basis. If you are applying for this role on a part time basis, please tell us in the Additional Information section of the application form.

This vacancy is a temporary post until April 2027:  Family Support Worker (Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children) in the Throughcare and Aftercare Team.

East Lothian Children’s Services has an exciting opportunity for a Family Support Worker to join the Throughcare and Aftercare Team. This post will provide support to Unaccommpanied Asylum Seeking Children arriving both spontaneously and through the National Transfer Scheme.

The Throughcare and Aftercare Team provides a range of support to previously looked after / looked after and accomodated young people in their transition to independent living across East Lothian. This includes asylum seeking children.

This post will primarily focus upon the work with unaccommpanied asylum seeking children (UASC). These children arrive in the UK unaccompanied, often having fled war torn countries and made perilious journeys. They arrive both spontaneously and as part of the National Transfer Scheme. The successful candidiate will work with these young peole, co-ordinating plans and supporting them to feel safe and settled in East Lothian. This will include assisting in the development of services to meet the needs of these young people as part of the team around this group.

We are looking to recruit a Family Support Worker who ideally has experience in working with this group of young people and understands the needs and complexities of this group. This may also include a working knowledge and experience of the relevant legislation, policies and procedures relevant to the children and families social work role. Experience of working with the asylum system would be advantageous. 

This is an exciting and developing area to work in, having a pivotal role case managing and ensuring that young people who are fleeing danger, can settle in East Lothian. You will receive regular support, supervision & training.   

A full current driving licence and use of a vehicle are essential for this post.     

Applicants should have a sound value base, excellent communication and report writing skills and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of children and families social work role and responsibilities. 

If you wish to discuss this job vacancy or working for Children’s Services in East Lothian Council, please feel free to contact the team leader on the details below:  Gerry Chapman: 01875 824 369.

Home / Hybrid Working Consideration
Applications for homeworking or hybrid working will be considered for this post, subject to a trial period and in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview. All applicants must live in the UK and will be expected to attend Council offices from time to time as required.

Job Details

To carry out direct case work and to provide support and assistance to Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) towards whom the local authority has responsibility under the Throughcare and Aftercare legislation, under the supervision and direction of a Senior Practitioner/Team Leader.

To work as part of a team, contributing to a flexible, sensitive and integrated delivery of social work services to vulnerable young people in East Lothian.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications
You must be educated to at least HNC/SVQ 3 (SCQF 7) in Social Care or another relevant discipline and able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge, skills and competencies gained through relevant experience.

SSSC registration as a support worker in a housing support service is an essential requirement of this role. If you are appointed and are not already a member of the relevant section of the SSSC Register, you will be required to apply for registration as soon as possible and this must be achieved within six months of your start date

Driving Licence
As the duties of this role require you to effectively travel to successfully undertake the full remit of the role, you must hold a current driving licence and have access to a vehicle.*
(*Where a disability precludes you from obtaining a driving licence, ELC will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability.)

PVG Membership
This post is considered as Regulated Work with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.

Please note: PVG member’s records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.