Barnardo's Northern Lights is a beautiful residential home on the outskirts of Inverness, providing a safe, warm and supportive environment for up to five young people who have experienced adversity and trauma in their early lives.
Our service is committed to improving outcomes for young people through a rights-based, trauma-informed approach, ensuring that every child feels safe, valued, heard and respected. We strive to enrich the lives of the young people in our care through meaningful relationships, nurturing support and a wide range of activities designed to build self-esteem, promote resilience and mastery, and enable young people to enjoy positive childhood experiences that reflect their age and stage of development.
We are currently seeking enthusiastic and committed individuals to join our team as As and When Residential Project Workers. This flexible role provides an excellent opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people while gaining valuable experience within a residential childcare setting.
As an As and When Residential Project Worker, you will work as part of a dedicated team providing high-quality care and support to young people. You will help create a safe, nurturing and positive environment where young people can develop confidence, build resilience and achieve their full potential.
Responsibilities include:
- Supporting young people in all aspects of their daily lives.
- Building positive, trusting relationships with young people based on empathy, respect and consistency.
- Promoting young people's rights, participation and independence.
- Supporting young people to access education, training, health appointments and community activities.
- Planning and participating in recreational and social activities that enhance wellbeing and life experiences.
- Providing emotional and practical support tailored to individual needs.
- Contributing to care planning and helping young people achieve their personal goals.
- Maintaining accurate records and completing reports in line with organisational and regulatory requirements.
- Supporting young people to manage risks safely and develop positive coping strategies.
- Working in partnership with families, social workers, education staff and other professionals.
- Responding appropriately to challenging situations while maintaining a calm and therapeutic approach.
- Ensuring the home remains a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment.
Ideally, you will have experience of direct work with children and young people, particularly those who have experienced trauma, adversity or complex needs.
You will hold, or be willing to work towards, a relevant qualification at SCQF Level 7 or above, such as:
- SVQ 3 Social Services (Children and Young People)
- HNC Social Services
- Or another relevant qualification recognised for registration purposes
You will also demonstrate:
- A genuine passion for improving outcomes for children and young people.
- An understanding of trauma-informed and relationship-based practice.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Flexibility and reliability in supporting the needs of the service.
- The ability to remain calm and resilient in challenging situations.
- A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- A willingness to work shifts, including evenings, weekends and public holidays, as required.
By joining Northern Lights, you will become part of a passionate and supportive team committed to changing children's lives for the better. You will have the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, life-changing work while developing your skills and experience within one of the UK's leading children's charities.
If you are caring, resilient and committed to helping young people thrive, we would love to hear from you.
