Job Description

Children’s Services Practitioner
Salary: £26,006.84 - £29,900 per annum, pro rata
Location: Morayshire
Contract/Hours: Permanent / We have a range of hours to offer from casual hours, 12 hours and up to 37 hours per week to suit the needs of the rota and the nature of group work.

Benefits:

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

We’re looking for a Children’s Services Practitioner to help plan, organise, and deliver a variety of weekly group sessions. You’ll play a key part in creating safe, enjoyable experiences that are tailored to the needs of each child or young person.

Flexibility is important, as sessions take place after school during the week and on Saturday mornings, and you’ll need to travel across Moray to meet the needs of the service. No two days will be the same—you’ll be working in a dynamic, rewarding environment where your creativity and adaptability will make a real difference.

If you have experience supporting children and young people, particularly those with additional support needs or neurodiversity, and you enjoy bringing activities to life in a warm, inclusive way, we’d love to hear from you. This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape a new service, develop professionally, and make a meaningful impact across Moray.

About the Service

Moray Group Activities is a vibrant service offering short, social opportunities for children and young people aged 5–18 with additional support needs. We’re committed to creating a fun, inclusive, and supportive space where young people can build confidence, develop social skills, and enjoy meaningful activities alongside their peers.

Our group sessions run after school and at weekends in various locations across Moray, shaped by the needs of the children and families we support. Each session is designed to be engaging, nurturing, and accessible—helping young people feel safe, included, and able to thrive.

What you do could make a difference

As a Children’s Services Practitioner you’ll:

• Work closely with colleagues to deliver fun, high‑quality group activities for young people with additional needs, creating spaces where they feel welcomed and supported.
• Plan, develop, and bring to life a wide range of social activities that suit different ages and interests, helping each young person get the most out of their time with us.
• Provide warm, attentive support to every child and young person attending sessions, ensuring they feel safe, included, and understood.
• Engage with young people throughout the sessions, helping them build confidence, develop social skills, and grow their independence at a pace that feels right for them.
• Travel across Morayshire as needed to deliver sessions in the communities where they’re most valued.

Let’s talk about you

Are you someone who stays steady under pressure and brings a positive, solution‑focused approach to change and challenge? We’re looking for someone with a real can‑do attitude to join our team. Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Experience supporting children and young people with additional needs, and an understanding of what helps them feel safe, included, and confident.
•  The ability to build genuine, engaging connections with children and young people.
• Strong organisational skills to help sessions run smoothly and consistently.
• A solid understanding of safeguarding, along with experience putting it into practice.
• A driving licence and access to a car. The role involves travelling across Moray in line with service needs, with reasonable adjustments available under the Equality Act.

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.

Will you join us?

Contact: Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13256

Diversity, equality and inclusion

We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things.

We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children.

Want to get to know Action for Children better?

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.