Senior Practitioner – Chestnut Wynd

: Dean and Cauvin Young People's Trust

: Full time

: On site: Edinburgh

: £33,191

: 37 hours per week on shift rota

: Closing 30 June 2026

: Advertised from 16 June 2026

Role

Organisation profile:

Dean and Cauvin Young People’s Trust is one of Edinburgh’s longest-established children’s charities. We provide residential care, community-based support, and family services for children and young people.

Our work is rooted in The Promise, with a clear commitment to ensuring that all young people experience care that is safe, loving, and relational, where they feel listened to, respected and able to thrive.

We are guided by our values of Care, Perseverance, Acceptance and Hope, and by a strong belief that relationships are the most important factor in supporting positive outcomes for young people transitioning to adulthood.

Role:

We are looking for a Senior Practitioner to join our team at Chestnut Wynd, our purpose-built home in West Granton.

Chestnut Wynd provides a warm, nurturing and rights-respecting home for up to five young people aged 15–21. The environment has been designed to promote wellbeing, independence, and a strong sense of belonging.

As a Senior Practitioner, you will play a key role in creating a culture where young people:

• Feel safe, cared for and loved

• Are supported to develop and maintain meaningful relationships

• Have their rights upheld and their voices heard

• Are empowered to achieve their goals and aspirations

You will:

• Work alongside young people in a relational and trauma-informed way, recognising the impact of adverse experiences

• Support young people’s wellbeing in line with SHANARRI indicators (Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible, Included)

• Take a lead role in assessment, care planning and reviews, ensuring plans are meaningful, strengths-based and outcome-focused

• Deliver individual and group interventions that support emotional wellbeing, life skills and independence

• Support young people to access education, training, employment and community opportunities

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with families, carers and multi-agency professionals

• Contribute to maintaining a home that is safe, consistent, and responsive to individual needs, in line with Care Inspectorate standards

• Actively promote a culture of continuous improvement, learning and professional development

You will also support the wider team in reflective practice, ensuring that care is ethical, informed and continually improving.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Is relationship based in their approach, recognising that connection comes before change

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to The Promise and children’s rights (UNCRC)

• Has experience of trauma-informed, attachment and restorative practice

• Is confident in using reflective practice and contributing to a learning culture

• Can lead on undertake high quality assessments and care planning, focused on strengths and outcomes

• Is skilled in listening to and advocating for young people’s views

• Is able to work collaboratively with families and multi-agency partners

• Brings compassion, curiosity, creativity and resilience to their practice and can role model this to the team

• Understands the importance of service improvement planning.

We value practitioners who can be authentic, relational, flexible and responsive, and who are committed to doing “what matters” for young people

Working Pattern

This role operates on a six-week rota, including:

• Evenings and weekends

• Sleep-in shifts

• On call duties one week out of eight

What We Offer

We are committed to supporting our staff to provide the best possible care. We offer:

• Regular reflective supervision and practice support

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities

• A strong team culture focused on wellbeing and support

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Access to a discounted holiday caravan

• Eligibility to register for concert for carers

Requirements

• Relevant experience in residential care, social care, youth work or family support

• Minimum qualification: SVQ 4 (or willingness to work towards)

• Registration with:

o PVG Scheme

o Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)

This is an opportunity to be part of a service committed to delivering high-quality, rights-based, relational care, where young people are supported to heal, grow and thrive.

If you share our commitment to The Promise and want to make a genuine difference, we would love to hear from you.