Join our team

Are you in?

We’re on the lookout for brilliant, big-hearted people to join our wonderful Team ECHC. If you’ve got the passion, skills and drive to ensure no child faces hospital alone, we’d love to hear from you!

In return, you’ll get to be part of a supportive, down-to-earth, and fun team who work tirelessly to make a real difference to children and families facing life-changing hospital stays. No one wants to be in hospital – but when they have to be, we’re here to make that experience as positive, comforting, and as full of joy as it can possibly be. Are you in?

If you would like to volunteer with us, please click below.

Volunteer

Youth Worker & Family Support Officer

Salary: £31,000
Working hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week. 3 days – 10am-6pm, 2 days – 12pm-8pm.
Fixed term: 12 months
Location: Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh

Are you passionate about supporting young people through life’s toughest moments?
We’re looking for a compassionate and creative Youth Worker and Family Support Officer to join our Children’s Wellbeing Service and help shape a new approach to wellbeing care in hospital.

If you thrive in emotionally complex environments, love building meaningful relationships, and want to make a real difference to children, young people and families, this could be the role for you.

Some of the things you’ll be doing:

You’ll join a team of Family Support Officers and Youth Workers working across the hospital, including oncology, mental health services and long term admissions, offering emotional support, practical help, and a calm, creative space for children, young people and families.

More specifically, you’ll:

  • Support children and young people experiencing distress and trauma, helping them feel safe, heard and empowered.
  • Build strong relationships with families and hospital staff to identify those most in need.
  • Deliver creative wellbeing activities using evidence-based approaches like the PACE model and ECHC’s bespoke Changemaker and Gamechanger programmes.
  • Champion the rights of children and young people, ensuring they feel informed, included and in control.
  • Signpost and advocate connecting families with relevant services and speak up on their behalf when needed.
  • Evaluate impact and gather data and feedback to help shape the future of our wellbeing services.

Let’s talk about you:
Must haves –

  • Proven experience supporting children, young people, and families; you’re confident working directly with those who need it most.
  • Strong communicator with excellent listening skills.
  • Self-starter and team player; you can prioritise effectively, take initiative, and collaborate to meet shared goals.
  • Resilient and grounded; you stay calm and compassionate, even in emotionally challenging and traumatic situations.
  • Professional and approachable; you understand the importance of setting and maintaining healthy, respectful boundaries.

Nice to haves –

  • An understanding of trauma informed approaches, with a compassionate, sensitive response to children and families’ experiences.
  • Experienced in co-creation; you’ve designed and delivered services in genuine partnership with children, young people, and families, making sure their voices shape the support they receive.
  • Well connected and informed; you have knowledge of local and national services and know how to guide families toward the help they need.
  • Detail focused; you’re experienced in keeping accurate records, gathering data to show impact, and using it to inform and improve practice.

For the full Job Description and Person Specification, please click here.

Still reading? If you made it this far, we think there’s a strong chance you might be our kind of person. Even if you don’t tick every box, we want to encourage you to introduce yourself. Apply today.

The closing date for this role is Friday 19 June 2026 at 12noon. Interviews will take place on Monday 29 June 2026, in person.

For further details or for an informal conversation please contact Klaire Connor, Head of Services: klaire.connor@echcharity.org

To apply for this post, click the button below to complete an application form. (CVs and cover letters will not be accepted.)

Please note, this role is subject to PVG clearance.

Apply now

A note on using AI: We’re keen to hear your own thoughts, experiences, and ideas. For that reason, we ask that all applications be written by you and reflect your own experience and voice. Applications that appear to be generated or substantially assisted by AI tools may not be considered.