Employee Benefits
We are proud of our healthy, happy, energised, rights-respecting work culture at Forces Children Scotland. In recognition of this, our Board of Trustees have approved a range of actions to further enhance our employee offer, which have been fully implemented as of 1 April 2026:
- Work from home: Forces Children Scotland is a remote-first team. You will be expected to travel to monthly team meetings and other occasional meetings with colleagues and partners across Scotland.
- Annual leave: Full-time employees are entitled to 36 days of annual leave (including public holidays). We also close in between Christmas and New Year, gifting the days off as a thank you to the staff team for their efforts throughout the year.
- Pension plan: Forces Children Scotland offers a Pension Plan, with Smart Pension. The Plan is a money purchase arrangement. You can choose at what rate you wish to contribute (subject to statutory minimums) with Forces Children Scotland contributing up to 6% of gross salary.
- Flexible working: As a flexibly enabled workplace, we practice, encourage and welcome conversations around flexible start and finish times, part-time working, informal and ad hoc adjustments, reliable, predictable work patterns, paid time off for appointments, compressed hours, and the removal of unnecessary travel.
- Forces-friendly policies: Additional paid leave is available for Reservists and Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers. We are also aware of the procedure in relation to mobilisations and would be supportive of any request to mobilise a Reservist within our workforce. This extends to any Veteran in the Strategic Reserve, i.e. Ex-Regulars with a call-out liability.
- Other benefits: We also offer Life Assurance Cover, inclusive and enhanced policies, compassionate leave, the ability to buy and Sell annual leave, and pre-tax deductible offers.
Key Responsibilities
- Build trusting relationships with young people so they feel comfortable and supported at all times.
- Design, organise and coordinate participation activities and events with and for children and young people.
- Work directly with children and young people, including children in early years settings and children and young people with additional support needs.
- Identify appropriate and accessible ways for children and young people to participate meaningfully in activities designed to help them share their views and experiences.
- Support children and young people to bring their own project ideas to life, working alongside them to make a real impact.
- Work in partnership with colleagues in the Army, Naval and RAF welfare services, schools, colleges and other third sector organisations in order to recruit children and young people to participate in our activities.
- Raise awareness of the experiences and voices of children and young people from Armed Forces families across a wide range of audiences.
- Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the impact of our participation work and outcomes for participants.
- Work closely with other Forces Children Scotland staff in supporting the aims and objectives of the organisation
- Carry out any other duties commensurate with the post as identified by your line manager
Person Specification
Qualifications
A relevant qualification, to a minimum standard of HNC/SVQ 3 (SCQF level 7) in a discipline related to working with children and young people, or equivalent work experience. Ideally you will have broad experience working across different age groups.
Experience (Essential)
Minimum of two years experience working in one of the following areas:
- Youth work
- Community work
- Education
- Experience of working with vulnerable children and young people
- Experience of coproducing projects with children and young people
- Experience of organising and planning of activities for children and young people
- Experience of working in a collaborative, inter-agency, inter-disciplinary way
Experience (Desirable)
- Understanding of the issues affecting children and young people from Armed Forces families.
Knowledge (Essential)
- Understanding of the issues affecting children and young people from Armed Forces families.
- Working knowledge of child protection and GIRFEC.
- Awareness and understanding of the issues around children and young people’s participation.
- Knowledge and understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and inclusion.
- Up-to-date knowledge of issues which affect young people.
Skills
- Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with children and young people, parents, carers, colleagues and other professionals.
- Have a working knowledge of child protection guidelines.
- Work in partnership with a wide range of agencies.
- Communicate to a range of audiences in an engaging way.
- Positively advocate on behalf of Armed Forces Children and Young to a wide range of individuals and agencies.
- Initiate, engage in, and promote meaningful creative participation opportunities for Armed Forces children and young people.
- Manage own time and workload to effectively prioritise and meet deadlines.
- Ability to evidence work and contribute to funding reports.
- Ability to work both collaboratively as part of a team and on own initiative.
- Good verbal and written skills and the ability to communicate clearly and sensitively.
- Self-motivated, team working and ability to use initiative.
- Use information and digital technology including communications and office applications.
- Commitment to and understanding of:
- Children’s rights
- Co-production
- Working in partnership with young people, empowering them to make decisions about their own lives.
Additional information
A full driving licence and access to a car are essential for this role.
Participation work takes place in key schools located near Armed Forces bases. While regular travel to these schools is required, you will not be expected to cover the entire region.
You will deliver face-to-face sessions in Moray each week, so the role involves a significant amount of travel.
This is a home-based position, and travel expenses will be paid from your home address within the delivery area. Occasionally, you may be required to work outside of this area.
The post holder will need to be prepared to work flexibly, including evening, weekend and occasional overnight stays.
