Job Description

Community Worker
Salary: £26,006.84 per annum, pro rata
Location: Glasgow based however this role is community based and covers a wide geographical area so does include a lot of travel
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Part Time – 16 hours per week (including evenings and weekends), work pattern to be agreed with the successful candidate

Closing date for applications is midnight of Monday 10th August

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 Community Worker to join this dynamic and impactful programme—someone who is passionate about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. The role requires flexibility and a willingness to work beyond traditional hours when needed, reflecting the responsive nature of the support we provide.

Being able to manage your own time and respond to what the young people you support need is a big part of the role. That flexibility helps us create a service that’s inclusive, responsive, and built around real lives and real challenges.

Whilst no qualification is required for this role, experience or knowledge of the challenges faced by people involved in the Justice system, experiencing addiction, or homelessness would be great.

About the Service

We’re really excited to share our new Scottish Government–funded programme, which launched in April 2025. It’s designed to offer voluntary throughcare support to people across Scotland who are serving short-term sentences or moving on from remand. The service is open to men, women, and young people, making sure support is accessible to everyone who needs it.

The whole approach is based on strong relationships and working closely with partner organisations so people get the right support at the right time. The aim is simple: help people settle back into their communities, improve their wellbeing, and reduce the chances of re-offending.

The programme runs using a Pod model, where staff from different partner organisations work together in specific areas. Each Pod has a manager from one of the partner organisations, and formal line management sits with an Action for Children manager, keeping everything consistent and well supported.

What you do could make a difference

Some key responsibilities of a Community Worker role are;

• Collaborative Pre-Release Planning Work with prison staff to create robust pre-release plans, including three-way handovers.
• Utilise Pre-Release Tools Engage through face-to-face contact, email correspondence, and multi-agency meetings.
• Family-Centred Approach Collaborate with Families Outside partner to support individuals and their families.
• Effective Working Relationships Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external colleagues for the best outcomes.
• Information Sharing Share information with key stakeholders to support multi-agency collaboration.
• Onward Referrals and Service Endings Identify suitable referrals and ensure smooth service transitions.

Let’s talk about you

• Build positive, trusting relationships with the people you support and with wider partners — including colleagues across statutory and third‑sector services — helping everyone work together with the young person at the centre.
• Bring a trauma‑informed approach, offering calm, thoughtful support in complex situations and helping people feel understood and safe.
• Stay solution‑focused, finding creative and practical ways to respond to challenges and keep progress moving.
• Prepare and implement dynamic risk management plans, using safeguarding processes confidently to promote safety and wellbeing.
• A driving licence and access to a car are essential, as the role covers a wide geographical area. You’ll need to travel as required for the role, with reasonable adjustments provided in line with 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: Please submit an application via our careers page. If you have any further questions, you can contact Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13374

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

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.