Vacancies
We're Hiring!
Join the Why Not? Trust as a Community Engagement Team Member Support – Aberdeenshire (Maternity Cover)
Location: Aberdeenshire (home-based with some travel)
Contract: Part-time (10 hours per week/flexible schedule), 6-month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave
Salary: £13.45 per hour
Closing Date: Tuesday, 16th June at 5pm
Interviews held: Thursday, 18th June
The Village
The Village was co-created with care experienced parents, to provide trusted relationships and opportunities for new parents to connect with others with shared experiences. Now part of Why Not? Trust, The Village is a mainly online community, a confidential safe space, where parents can reach out for support and support each other. As a community, not a service, we do not undertake assessments, or write reports on people. We offer a social support network, offering the support in early parenthood that everyone needs.
If you are successful in this role, you will be responsible for....
You will be responsible for our work in Aberdeenshire supporting and connecting parents who have been impacted by care. Our aim is to reach all expectant and new parents with care experience in Scotland and ensure they are aware of what is being offered through The Village and our other Why Not communities. You will use a variety of approaches, communication methods and platforms to maximise engagement, including both in person and digital options. In this innovative role you will engage with statutory, health staff, and third sector staff building knowledge of The Village and promoting our work.
You will work alongside supportive colleagues creating a welcoming environment within The Village, creating material to share, leading group activities and developing positive trusting relationships with individual parents. You will engage groups of parents with different support needs, including but not limited to:
Pregnancy planning and newly pregnant parents; Parents of toddlers and preschoolers; Parents whose children are no longer in their care; Kinship parents
Using a coaching style approach, Team Member will be available to answer individual questions and offer individual support to the parents via telephone calls and text/voice messages. Any support offered will be directed by the parents, at a pace that is comfortable for them. Goals will be identified and agreed allowing the parent to be in control of all interactions but encouraging the parent to recognise their own strengths and areas where they would like to strengthen. Team Member will aim to empower the parent, recognising strengths and developing confidence through sharing and encouraging learning, and reflecting on experiences.
Team Member will work together to create the positive online environment offering information which will be helpful for parents and parents to be. There will be a focus on recognising any specific needs of parents who have experienced care, including the stigma that can be experienced, however, will also recognise the shared needs of all parents and the processes and systems encountered by all.
Opportunities will be created through events and facilitated groups for parents to increase their social and support networks.
Team Member will contribute to team development through active participation in team meetings, peer supervision and continuing professional development opportunities.
The role will be mainly home-based with flexible pre-agreed hours.
There will be some travel within the identified locations, facilitating group activities or meet ups, and building connections and promoting our work. There may be a requirement for occasional evening or weekend work to suit specific project needs.
We welcome applications from people with lived experience or understanding of lived experience, including potential impact of stigma, judgement and discrimination.
Line Management and professional development
Team Member will be line managed by the Why Not Trust, Operational Lead.
The team member will contribute to regular peer supervision and reflections sessions to ensure there is a cohesiveness as a team and clear understanding of strategic priorities.
The team members will take part in regular CPD events, responding to emerging themes and recognising individual needs.
A robust induction process will be offered.
Everyone's behaviour will be led by the principles of The Why Not Trust.