Family Link Worker


Company:	HIJOBS
Salary:	Not specified
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Fort William, PH33 6BS
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	1 Sept 2026
Closing date:	1 Oct 2026

Apply for this job

Summary

An exciting opportunity to help develop a whole-family approach to support in Lochaber. Based at the Lochaber Hope Community Hub, the postholder will work alongside families in their homes, schools, community settings and within the Hub itself, helping them identify strengths, overcome barriers and access the right support at the right time.

Location: Lochaber Hope Community Hub, Fort William, with outreach across Fort William and the wider Lochaber area.

Contract and salary: Fixed Term – one year (extension subject to funding)

, £31,000

Hours: 30 hrs/week, available to work flexibly (weekend or evening work may be required occasionally)

About Lochaber Hope

Lochaber Hope is a community-based mental health charity supporting people across Lochaber through counselling, mentoring, employability, recovery and wellbeing services.

At the heart of our organisation is our Community Hub – a welcoming, non-judgemental space where people can connect with others, access support, develop confidence and become part of their community. Alongside our therapeutic services, we provide a range of groups, activities and volunteering opportunities that reduce isolation, improve wellbeing and create lasting community connections.

We believe that people thrive when they feel connected, valued, hopeful and supported. Our aim is not only to respond when people reach crisis, but to create opportunities for individuals and families to access support early, strengthen relationships and build resilience before difficulties escalate.

Purpose of the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to help develop a whole-family approach to support in Lochaber.

Funded through the Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Programme, the Family Link Worker will work within the wider Family Links approach, providing relationship-based, preventative support to families while strengthening collaboration between local organisations.

Based at the Lochaber Hope Community Hub, the postholder will work alongside families in their homes, schools, community settings and within the Hub itself, helping them identify strengths, overcome barriers and access the right support at the right time.

Working closely with Care and Learning Alliance (CALA), the wider Family Links workforce, statutory services and third sector partners, the Family Link Worker will be part of a collaborative approach to whole-family support across Lochaber. The postholder will help develop coordinated pathways that reduce duplication, improve communication between services and ensure families experience joined-up support.

The role is underpinned by the belief that families are the experts in their own lives. The Family Link Worker will work alongside families to build confidence, strengthen resilience and empower them to achieve their own goals, recognising that lasting change happens through trusted relationships, coordinated support and strong community connections.

Our Approach

The Family Link Worker role is built upon the following principles:

Building trusting, compassionate and non-judgemental relationships.

Supporting the whole family through strengths-based, relationship-focused practice.

Providing early intervention to prevent difficulties escalating into crisis.

Ensuring children and young people are heard and meaningfully involved in decisions that affect them.

Working in partnership so families experience coordinated, joined-up support.

Promoting community participation, recognising that belonging and connection are important to wellbeing.

Recognising and building upon the strengths, aspirations and capabilities that already exist within every family.

Key Responsibilities

1. Relationship-Based Family Support

Build positive, trusting relationships with children, young people, parents and carers.

Undertake holistic, strengths-based assessments with families to identify needs, strengths, aspirations and agreed outcomes.

Develop, implement and regularly review family-led support plans in partnership with families.

Provide practical, emotional and relationship-based support to families experiencing challenges relating to mental health, neurodiversity, poverty, addiction, stigma, family relationships, school attendance, employability, social isolation and wider wellbeing.

Meet families where they feel most comfortable, including family homes, schools, community settings and the Community Hub.

Support families to identify solutions, build confidence and develop the skills and resilience needed to achieve sustainable positive outcomes.

Support families to access appropriate services through timely referrals, warm introductions and ongoing encouragement.

Advocate on behalf of families where appropriate while empowering them to develop confidence to advocate for themselves.

Maintain professional boundaries while developing supportive, trusting relationships.

2. Community Connection and Social Prescribing

Support families to become active participants within their communities.

Use social prescribing approaches to connect families with local organisations, activities, services and opportunities that promote health, wellbeing and inclusion.

Reduce social isolation by helping families develop supportive relationships, peer networks and community connections.

Encourage participation in volunteering, community groups and informal opportunities that build confidence and resilience.

Promote the Community Hub as a welcoming place where families can access support, develop new skills and experience a sense of belonging.

Recognise that meaningful participation and community connection are important components of positive family wellbeing.

3. Community Hub Activities

Contribute to the development of family-focused activities within the Community Hub.

Plan and deliver group sessions for parents, children and families.

Support practical wellbeing activities, including cooking sessions, shared meals and family-based activities.

Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations to deliver engaging and inclusive activities.

Encourage families to actively participate, contribute ideas and help shape activities rather than simply attend services.

Help create a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment where every family feels respected, valued and able to participate.

4. Partnership Working and Collaborative Practice

Partnership working is fundamental to this role. Although based at Lochaber Hope, the Family Link Worker will work as part of the wider Whole Family Wellbeing and Family Links approach, strengthening collaboration between organisations and improving the experience of families accessing support across Lochaber.

The postholder will:

Build and maintain positive relationships with statutory services, schools, health professionals, community groups and third sector organisations.

Work collaboratively with CALA and the wider Family Links workforce, contributing to shared learning, good practice and coordinated service delivery.

Develop and maintain effective referral pathways that improve access to support for families.

Facilitate warm introductions to partner organisations, reducing barriers and helping families engage with confidence.

Attend partnership meetings, multi-agency discussions and collaborative planning meetings where appropriate.

Share information appropriately and proportionately, in accordance with organisational policies, GDPR and information-sharing requirements.

Contribute to identifying emerging needs, gaps in provision and opportunities for collaborative approaches that improve outcomes for families.

Promote a culture where organisations recognise and value each other's expertise and work together around the needs of families rather than organisational boundaries.

5. Recording, Monitoring and Evaluation

Maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records in line with organisational policies and data protection legislation.

Manage an active caseload, ensuring assessments, support plans and reviews are completed appropriately.

Monitor progress against agreed family outcomes and project objectives.

Collect qualitative and quantitative evidence demonstrating the impact of support provided.

Ensure the voices and experiences of children, young people and families contribute to the evaluation and development of the service.

Contribute to reporting requirements for funders, partner organisations and the Highland Whole Family Wellbeing Programme.

Participate in reflective practice and contribute to the continuous development and improvement of the service.

6. Safeguarding and Professional Practice

Work in accordance with GIRFEC principles, children's rights and trauma-informed practice.

Maintain an up-to-date understanding of child protection, adult protection and safeguarding responsibilities.

Recognise, respond to and report safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational procedures.

Undertake risk assessments where appropriate and contribute to risk management planning.

Maintain accurate and confidential case records that support safe and effective practice.

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

Participate fully in supervision, training, reflective practice and continuing professional development.

Work in accordance with Lochaber Hope's policies, procedures and values.

Training, Supervision and Professional Development

Lochaber Hope is committed to ensuring the Family Link Worker has the skills, knowledge and support needed to work safely and confidently with children and families.

The successful candidate will:

Be line managed by Lochaber Hope and receive regular internal supervision and support.

Receive additional role-specific supervision and reflective practice support from CALA, strengthening collaborative working with the wider Family Links workforce and Whole Family Wellbeing Partnership across Lochaber.

Undertake an induction and training programme tailored to their existing knowledge, skills and experience.

Access relevant training identified through Lochaber Hope policies and the Whole Family Wellbeing training framework. Depending on the postholder's existing experience and development needs, this may include areas such as safeguarding and child protection, mental health, addiction, self-harm, trauma-informed practice and other topics relevant to the families being supported.

Receive role-specific training and development opportunities through CALA, drawing on its expertise in family support practice.

Have the opportunity to undertake Parents Under Pressure (PuP) training as part of their professional development.

Participate in ongoing reflective practice, shared learning and relevant training opportunities with partner organisations and the wider Family Links workforce.

Training and development needs will be reviewed throughout the post, recognising that the successful candidate may bring significant strengths and experience in some areas while requiring further development in others.

General Responsibilities

Contribute positively to the wider work and development of Lochaber Hope.

Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers and partner organisations.

Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and children's rights in all aspects of the role.

Represent Lochaber Hope professionally within the community and across partner networks.

Undertake any other duties appropriate to the responsibilities of the post, following discussion with the Line Manager.

Lived Experience

Lochaber Hope recognises the value that lived experience can bring to our work. We welcome applications from people whose personal experiences have given them insight into the challenges faced by individuals and families, provided they are able to use those experiences appropriately within a professional role and maintain healthy professional boundaries.

Flexibility

The post will normally be worked during standard office hours. However, flexibility is required to meet the needs of families and community activities, and the successful applicant may occasionally be required to work evenings or weekends.

The role will involve travel throughout Lochaber to support families in a variety of settings. The postholder must therefore be able to travel independently across the area.

Why Join Lochaber Hope?

This is an opportunity to help shape a developing model of whole-family support within Lochaber while being part of a wider collaborative approach across the area.

You will become part of a community-focused team committed to improving mental health, reducing isolation and helping people thrive. You will work alongside experienced colleagues and a wide network of partner organisations, with access to supervision, reflective practice, role-specific training and continuing professional development.

The role combines professional family support with community-based early intervention, recognising that strong relationships, coordinated services and connected communities can help families thrive.

Apply for this job