Today, 12 children and young people will be diagnosed with cancer. We’ll stop at nothing to make sure they get the right care and support at the right time.

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we help children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. We know what a better future could look like for children and young people with cancer. And we know what we need to do to make that future a reality. We know we need to push harder, reach further and work smarter. And we know we need the right people on our team to help us get there. People like you.

Join us and your skills will make a real difference to the lives of young cancer patients.

About the role

We want to creative positive change in the health system to achieve the change children and young people with cancer across the UK, and their families, need. This means amplifying the voices of young cancer patients and delivering evidence-based campaigns that make change happen.

This Policy and Public Affairs Officer role is responsible for supporting the Policy, Influencing and Voice Team with policy and public affairs expertise to deliver the key components of our influencing work in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You will help us influence the system for children and young people with cancer and their families, so we can change experiences of having cancer and ensure children and young people’s voices are heard.

This includes:

• monitoring the policy and influencing landscape in each of the devolved nations
• developing policy briefings, position statements, consultation responses and reviewing evidence
• building and maintaining excellent working relationships with elected representatives, officials, external partners and your colleagues too
• delivering our public affairs work in the devolved nations
• supporting our exciting campaigning activities, tailoring to each nation

Young Lives vs Cancer is open to and in support of flexible working. Your flexibility requirements and that of the role will be discussed at interview stage with you.

This role is home-based and can be based anywhere in the UK, but the successful candidate will ideally be based in either Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, and will require occasional visits to Young Lives vs Cancer workplaces.

This role is subject to an Basic level Criminal Record Check. In the event of a successful application a Disclosure and Barring Services report will be sought.

We would love to hear from you if you:

• Have experience working in a policy or public affairs environment, ideally in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
• Have experience or knowledge of the policy, public affairs and/or political processes and how to use them in your work
• Have effective influencing and relationship building skills
• Are comfortable and confident working in a diverse and changing external environment across three nations
• Are solutions-focused, have attention to detail, and able to analyse complex information

Diversity declaration

At Young Lives vs Cancer, we recognise that opportunities for too many people remain a condition of their race, class, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation – or a combination. This has never been acceptable to us as an organisation.

We are committed to taking anti-oppressive action and removing barriers in our recruitment practices. We particularly welcome applications from members of minoritised communities and creating equitable opportunities for all. We are passionately committed to taking actions and making changes to be a truly diverse, inclusive and equitable organisation, as well as reflective of the diverse children and young people we support. Click here to find out more about our Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategy.

Accessibility

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and we’ll always endeavour to be as accommodating as possible. Please get in touch with us if you would like to discuss any specific requirements.

What we offer

In return for your commitment, we offer a great reward package, which includes generous annual and family/ caring leave entitlements, enhanced pension and employee savings scheme. To find out more about our benefits package, have a look on our website:

younglivesvscancer.org.uk/careers/our-benefits

If you join us, you will be part of a community that is committed make a difference to the lives of children and young people with cancer. Young Lives vs Cancer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.

To arrange an informal chat, please contact Lauren Marks on lauren.marks@younglivesvscancer.org.uk.

Circle is a Scottish charity providing whole family support services to some of the most marginalised children and families in Scotland.

Funded by Scottish Government and Corra Foundation, the purpose of the post is to provide individual, peer based and group work support to children and young people affected by parental drug and/or alcohol use. The Children’s Resilience Worker will build upon children’s and young people’s existing strengths, support them to connect with peers and to help build resilience. The post holder will help children to have their voice heard. They aim to minimise the impact of parental substance use and will work alongside parents and carers, and the wider team along with statutory and voluntary sector colleagues to enable holistic support at the earliest opportunity.

Applicants should possess a qualification in social work, social care, education or health, and have relevant experience.

Do you have relevant experience of working with children and young people with a disability/and or autism or relevant experience in a similar sector or work environment?

About Aberlour Options Fife - Respite and Outreach

Options Fife Respite and Outreach provides a range of flexible support through outreach and overnight short breaks at weekends, evenings and school holidays to children and young people with complex learning disabilities and autism. We offer a high-quality child centred service providing positive and enabling experiences for the young people, supporting them through the challenges and complexities that enable them to work towards their individual outcomes and personal goals. We work closely with families and other professionals in providing support tailored around the child’s plan.

What we are looking for....

We are looking to recruit a Young People’s Worker Nights, working four nights on (10 hours per night) every second week. You will play a fundamental role in ensuring that the young people you work with have the best possible experience in working towards their objectives in line with their care plan, supporting children to progress within their individual outcomes. Whilst not without its challenges and demands, this is a highly rewarding role, where the work we do has a demonstrable impact on each young person's progress. Using a person-centred approach, you will provide enabling support ensuring the highest level of physical, personal, and emotional care. We support young people who have epilepsy, need personal care and need gastrostomy feeding. Aberlour, in conjunction with NHS, provides all staff with training.

We are looking for candidates who have a passion for working with young people with disabilities. It is desired but not essential that candidates hold a relevant qualification at an SCQF level 7 or above. Due to SSSC requirements you may be required to gain qualifications after starting with Aberlour.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team.

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with generous annual leave, an excellent employer pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers. Find out more about our Employee Benefits and our commitment to Equality and Diversity on our website.

About Sycamore Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel is our newest residential house for children who are unable to live with their own families. Aberlour is Being Brave for these children, fulfilling The Promise to provide a safe, loving home for the three children who live in the house, enabling them, over time, to reach their full potential. We do not seek to provide a quick fix for the children but to secure transformational change which secures real results and gives our team a really rewarding job experience.

What we are looking for....

We are looking for an individual who can integrate seamlessly into our existing team, working alongside it and relief adults to support excellent service delivery. We are looking for a Residential Worker to work 37.5 hours per week on a residential rota including early, late, waken nights, sleepovers and weekend shifts. You will have a knowledge and understanding of the importance of attachment, trauma and how this can impact on an individual’s development. At times our children express their distress through their behaviour and the role can be emotionally and physically challenging; we are therefore looking for someone who is resilient, understands that behaviour is a means of communication and is trauma responsive.

You will be skilled in building therapeutic relationships with the children, young people and young adults to enable them to feel safe, loved and cared for.

You must have the ability to quickly build your relationships with the adults within the house. The nature of the role is such that you could be working to cover a shift or longer periods as required, including days, wakened nightshifts and sleepovers and you may also be supporting young people to attend school or participate in other learning programmes. You must therefore be able to quickly adapt to the working environment within each house.

You will be comfortable with working within Aberlour’s culture embracing respect, integrity, innovation and the ability to challenge. Demonstration of these qualities will be particularly important in this role given that you will be dipping in and out of the different teams. You must be able to be an exceptional role model for other staff and the young person.

Through a wide variety of learning and development opportunities we support our staff to be as effective as they can be, equipping them to employ best practice in their work and to be exceptional role models for the children and for staff.

At Aberlour we want to make sure every child and young person has the love, support and opportunity they need to reach their potential. If you share the same vision, we want you to join our team.

For an informal discussion please phone Caitlyn Ross, House Manager on 07919192605

What we offer...

As well as a supportive team and excellent training opportunities, we want all our employees to feel valued and rewarded for the vital work they do. When you work with us, we'll recognise your efforts with a competitive salary and allowances, generous annual leave, an excellent pension scheme and a range of deals and discounts across various retailers.