With Purpose
We work together with families, communities and partners to create lasting change and better outcomes for children.

With Strength
We do whatever it takes to protect Scotland's children and champion their rights.

You'll join a supportive organisation that values learning, innovation and collaboration, where your work will directly contribute to helping children and families thrive.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive and anti-racist organisation where everyone experiences a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences and particularly encourage applications from groups currently under-represented within our workforce.

Join us

If you're passionate about building stronger communities, amplifying children's voices and helping families access the support they need, we'd love to hear from you.

Together, with love, purpose and strength, we can help Scotland's children and families thrive.

Please visit the following link to learn about our recruitment events to meet our team, hear about our plans and apply to work with us. https://issuu.com/children_first/docs/children_first_support_line_recruitment_pack

Job Description

Role Summary

You will play a key role in strengthening community connections and ensuring children, young people and families experiencing poverty and adversity can access the support they need. Working as part of Children First's expanding national Support Line and Eradicating Child Poverty programme, you will build and sustain partnerships with local organisations, statutory agencies and community groups, creating clear pathways into support.

The Community Partnership & Participation Worker will increase awareness of Children First's Support Line and associated services across Scotland, helping families access emotional, practical and financial support through relationship-based and trauma-informed approaches.

You will ensure the experiences, voices and participation of children, young people and families directly influence service design, delivery and continuous improvement. Through community engagement, participation activity and partnership development, you will help strengthen support networks, reduce barriers to access and improve outcomes for families.

Key Results Areas

Relationships with Children, Young People and Families

• Engage with children, young people and families in ways which encourage participation, inclusion and meaningful involvement in service development.
• Support families to identify strengths, needs and aspirations and connect them with appropriate local services and community resources.
• Gather, record and utilise feedback, lived experience and participation outcomes to inform service improvement and organisational learning.
• Identify barriers preventing families from accessing support and work collaboratively with partners to address these challenges.
• Ensure the views of children, young people and families are reflected within planning, decision-making and evaluation activities.
• Support participation in consultations, focus groups, community events and co-production opportunities.
• Promote children's rights and ensure families are listened to, respected and involved in decisions affecting them.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

• Establish and maintain productive relationships with local authorities, health and social care partnerships, education services, community groups and third sector organisations.
• Develop trusted local partnerships that provide effective referral pathways and coordinated support for families.
• Increase awareness of Children First Support Line and associated services through outreach activity, presentations, partnership forums and community engagement events.
• Support the development and delivery of local engagement plans focused on reaching families most at risk of poverty and inequality.
• Represent Children First within local, regional and national partnership structures and professional networks.
• Collaborate with partners to improve access to support for families experiencing poverty, inequality and exclusion.
• Facilitate warm transfers and coordinated pathways between Children First and partner agencies.

Operational Requirements

• Maintain and develop community mapping information across designated geographical areas.
• Identify local assets, services, resources and gaps in provision to strengthen family support pathways.
• Collect, analyse and share learning from partnership and participation activity to support service development and policy influence.
• Maintain accurate and timely records using Children First systems and reporting processes.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting requirements.
• Support communication and engagement campaigns aimed at increasing awareness and uptake of support services.
• Maintain awareness of policy, research and practice developments relating to child poverty, participation, community engagement and family support.
• Develop effective internal communication and information-sharing practices.
• Participate positively in supervision, reflective practice and professional development opportunities.
• Contribute to service sustainability, growth and continuous improvement initiatives.

Wider Organisational Contribution

• Contribute to Children First working groups and organisational development activity.
• Support the development and sharing of best practice in community engagement, participation and partnership working.
• Provide advice, guidance and consultation to colleagues regarding community resources and engagement approaches.
• Support volunteers and people with lived experience who contribute to participation activities.
• Represent Children First at community, partnership and national events.
• Contribute to reports, presentations, case studies and learning resources demonstrating impact and outcomes.
• Actively participate in team meetings and knowledge-sharing opportunities across the organisation.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is passionate about working alongside children, families and communities to create positive change. You will be an excellent relationship builder who can engage confidently with families, communities and professional partners alike.

You will be committed to children's rights, participation and inclusion, ensuring that the voices of children, young people and families influence how services are developed and delivered. You will be motivated by reducing inequality and poverty and supporting families to access the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

You will demonstrate a collaborative, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach, bringing warmth, compassion and professionalism to all aspects of your work.

What You'll Get From Us

• A workplace with values of With Love, With Purpose and With Strength
• 40 days annual leave inclusive of public holidays
• Pension scheme and wellbeing support
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Access to Westfield Health and wellbeing services
• Blue Light Card discounts
• A Fair Work Accredited Workplace
• Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development

Corporate Responsibilities

• Be committed to and uphold Children First's vision, mission and values.
• Comply with Children First safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Comply with the Children First Code of Conduct and professional standards relevant to the