Career Start welcomes applications from anyone who wants to help others. It’s a chance for people with life experience to change careers or for graduates and young adults to create a fulfilling livelihood for themselves.

Those who apply can expect to earn a living wage, gain invaluable work experience and study towards a HNC in Social Services. Upon completion, an interview to become a Child and Youth Care Worker at 91���� is guaranteed. It’s a rewarding role that brings a strong sense of purpose, alongside exceptional staff benefits and career progression opportunities.

As a Child and Youth Care Worker, you’ll make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young adults by becoming a trusted, familiar presence. Day to day, you’ll support them with routines and activities such as attending school, enjoying hobbies and making the most of their leisure time.

91���� supports individuals up to the age of 26 meaning your new job will offer plenty of variety. It suits people who can show commitment, flexibility and resilience.

Report writing and monitoring are also an important part of the job, helping to keep care plans up to date and ensure each person receives the best possible support.

Join Us

Highly recommended by those who have completed the course. We’ve welcomed people from a wide range of backgrounds including graduates, career changers, tradespeople and parents. Many initially didn’t realise how valuable their existing skills and life experience would be in this new career.

Allanah is a university graduate. She was considering a teaching job before deciding on our traineeship.

Ruby brought life experience from working across hospitality, pharmacy and sales.

Ryan wanted to change careers after working as a landscaper.

Kate’s background was in dental nursing.

Julie Ann chose our traineeship to return to work after raising her own kids.

Ready for a Career That Matters?

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A teacher’s belief can transform how a young person sees themselves and what they feel able to achieve.

To all our teachers, thank you for your commitment, creativity and care. The difference you make is reflected in every new skill, proud smile and moment a young person begins to believe in themselves.

Watch our World Teachers’ Day Video

We caught up with some of the 91���� team to hear about the teachers they admire and respect.

Ready for a Career That Matters?

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Working across 91����’s residential children’s houses, Night Service Child and Youth Care Workers play an important role in providing reassurance while young people sleep, settle into their evening routine or need extra support throughout the night.

Your job is about much more than being there overnight, it is about helping young people feel safe enough to rest. Some young people may struggle to sleep, feel anxious when the house becomes quiet, need emotional reassurance or require support during a difficult moment. Some nights may follow a steady routine, while others can change quickly. Whatever happens, your presence matters.

Visit our current vacancies to check when we’re recruiting for a Night Service Child and Youth Care Worker. Before applying read our helpful FAQs to understand more about the role.

FAQs about Becoming a Night Service Child and Youth Care Worker

Ready for a Career That Matters?

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Ready for a career that matters? Now is the time to hear about our job opportunities and meet our friendly staff team.

At our careers fair, you can find a new job to suit you while also learning more about us. We’ll share information about our training programmes, staff wellbeing and benefits and give you the opportunity to gain insight into who we support, and the difference you could make in the lives of children and young people.

This event is open to experienced practitioners, care professionals and anyone interested in taking the next step into a meaningful career at 91����. Whether you are ready to apply or simply want to ask questions, our teams will be there to talk through current opportunities and what it is like to be part of 91����.

Jobs Available at the Careers Fair

91���� offers job variety! Our current job vacancies include many of our different departments.

• Recruiting a Night Service Child and Youth Care Worker to become part of the dedicated nightshift team who support young people through the evening, when it matters most, with the autonomy to make a real difference.
  
• Child and Youth Care Worker Early Years (Part-Time) Job Share is an opportunity to be a positive role model to our children aged 5-12 in Lochwinnoch.
  
• Staff Nurse is an opportunity to support young people’s physical and emotional wellbeing through health assessments, medication management and responsive nursing care within 91����’s residential services.
  
• Child and Youth Care Worker is an opportunity to build trusted relationships with young people, supporting them day to day as they feel safe, valued and ready to thrive.
  
• Child and Youth Care Worker, Peripatetic – Early Years offers a helping hand across our children’s residential houses, supporting children aged 5–12 wherever care is needed most.
  
• Child and Youth Care Worker (Part Time) (Job Share) is a flexible role to be a positive influence to children and young people, working alongside a close-knit team of colleagues.

There are several Child and Youth Care Worker job opportunities available, each offering its own working pattern. Work daytime into evening, go for part-time job share or join the dedicated nightshift team.

Explore Child and Youth Care Jobs at 91����

Our Child and Youth Care Workers support children and young people in safe, nurturing homes, helping them build confidence, relationships and everyday skills. You can also ask us about routes into care, training and development, and how people grow their careers at 91���� through roles such as Senior Practitioner, Service Manager and Operations Manager.

Begin Your Career at 91���� Through Out Career Start Training Programme

If you are new to care or thinking about a complete career change, ask us about Career Start in Child and Youth Care. This 12-month programme gives you the chance to earn while you learn, gain practical experience in a residential care setting and study towards a HNC in Social Services, with full training, mentoring and support throughout.

No previous experience or qualifications are needed. We are looking for compassionate, reliable people with life experience and the motivation to make a positive difference for children and young people. Upon successful completion of the programme and required qualification, an interview for a Child and Youth Care Worker role at 91���� is guaranteed.

Ready for a career that matters? Find out what it’s like to work with young people at 91���� and discover rewarding careers in care where you can make a real difference every day.

Whether you’re an experienced residential worker or looking for a new job with purpose, our friendly teams will be on hand to answer your questions, talk through the roles available and share what it is like to support children and young people at 91����.

You’ll hear about our values and mission, the training and development available, career progression opportunities and the generous staff benefits that help make 91���� a top employer and supportive place to work.

Drop in throughout the day to meet us, ask questions and find out why a career in care at 91���� could be the right next step for you. It is a careers event you’ll be glad you attended.

Explore Careers in Residential Care

Care roles at 91���� involve supporting children and young people in safe, nurturing residential houses. You could join as a Child and Youth Care Worker and build your career through learning, development and progression opportunities, with roles such as Senior Practitioner, Service Manager and Operations Manager among the pathways available.

Start Your Career in Child and Youth Care

As well as recruiting experienced care staff, we welcome people who want to start a rewarding career in Child and Youth Care, even if they have no previous experience or qualifications. Through our Career Start programme, people with the drive to make a difference can earn while training to qualify as a Child and Youth Care Worker. Upon completion of the 12-month course, an interview for 91���� is guaranteed. Our careers event will have further details on Career Start.

Glowing feedback from inspectors spoke of the “sector-leading” care and support provided to the children and young people who call Ness and Tay home. This exceptional achievement is not easily attained, and it is a testament to the professionalism, dedication, teamwork and unwavering commitment of our staff teams, who provide the highest standards of care for children and young people.

Strength of Relationships

Inspectors praised the dedication of the adults supporting the children, commenting that they created an environment that felt “gentle” and nurturing. This is evident in the incredible relationships within the houses, where children feel safe, loved and have a strong sense of belonging. You can see this in everything from the structured routines that help children maintain important rhythms and familiar patterns, to the smaller moments, such as shared mealtimes and even getting each child’s toast just the right shade.

The children are championed in all aspects of their lives, and staff go above and beyond to ensure they embrace and enjoy new opportunities every day. Recently, one young person, supported by a member of staff, took on a mighty fundraising challenge to raise awareness of autism while raising vital funds for charity. The challenge saw them complete 10,000 steps a day for a month, raising £171 for Walk for Autism.

These relationships also extend to young people’s families, with the Care Inspectorate recognising the strong relationships staff have built and continue to maintain with them. 

Inclusive, Nurturing Houses

Many of the children who live at Ness and Tay are neurodiverse, so the team has gone to great lengths to ensure the houses, structures and routines support and empower each child’s needs. The children love cuddles, running their feet across tactile rugs, playing outside in the forest grounds and reading stories. With some of the children being non-verbal, staff often communicate through drawings, Makaton, Talking Mats and other visual supports. Each week, the houses also promote a Makaton Word of the Week.

This specialist provision was not only celebrated by the recent Care Inspection but was also recognised by the  (NAS) through their Autism Accreditation Programme last month. Ness and Tay were the first houses to receive this incredible accolade, demonstrating our dedication and commitment to championing the rights of young people and providing the highest level of care and support to meet their individual needs.

The excellent grading was recognised by Head of Operations, Chris McDonnell, in a communication to staff, saying: “To everyone connected with Forest View, I hope you take a genuine sense of pride in what you have achieved. This recognition has been earned through your hard work, resilience and commitment, and it is thoroughly deserved. Thank you for your unwavering dedication, professionalism and compassion. The difference you make to the lives of our young people every single day is truly remarkable, and this achievement is a testament to everything you do.”

A huge well done to everyone involved. We know this is only the beginning of what is still to come as we continue to shape and develop services that provide the highest standards of care and support for young people and their families.

When I found out I had the opportunity to attend the Conference in Newfoundland, I felt incredibly honoured and excited. It’s not every day you’re given the chance to represent your organisation at an international conference, and I was grateful for the opportunity to learn, share ideas and bring those experiences back to 91����.

I then pictured the usual conference experience: long days, uncomfortable chairs, networking with strangers and feeling a little out of place.

Although some of that was true; what I wasn’t expecting was meeting some of the biggest names in Child and Youth Care, getting to see whales in their natural habitat, being ‘Screeched In’ as an honorary Newfoundlander in a ritualistic ceremony (apparently following in Anthony Bourdain’s footsteps), and returning to Scotland with 91���� having been recognised with an international award for Outstanding Contribution. Not bad for a week’s work.

An Island Brimming with Character

Newfoundland has a personality all of its own.

The colourful houses, coastal scenery and genuinely welcoming people make it unlike anywhere else I’ve visited. Despite being thousands of miles from home, there was something oddly Scottish about it all.

Maybe it was the history. Maybe it was the humour. Maybe it was the weather (although we were lucky!).

Whatever it was, it never felt far from home.

One of my favourite memories was heading out whale watching with my colleague, Donna, in our spare time. The conference spoke of relationships and connection, and this experience was a powerful extension of the conversation – a reminder to slow down and connect with people, places and nature. Seeing magnificent humpback whales surface a few metres from the boat was an experience I’ll never forget,

Then there was the Screech-In ceremony. For those unfamiliar with Newfoundland tradition, it involves a local ceremony, sampling the region’s famous tipple, kissing a cod fish and becoming an honorary Newfoundlander! Anthony Bourdain famously took part in this ritual during his visit, so naturally I felt I was keeping excellent company.

Safe to say the crowd loved it. The cod, however, looked rather less enthusiastic.

The Importance of Everyday Moments

Of course, the conference itself was the reason we were there.

One thing became obvious very quickly.

Whether you’re working in Canada, Scotland or elsewhere, we’re all wrestling with many of the same questions.

How do we retain great staff?

How do we build relationships that genuinely heal?

How do we lead well when services are under increasing pressure?

And how do we continue putting children at the centre when systems don’t always make that easy?

Several sessions really resonated with me because they reflected conversations that we’re already having at 91����.

The discussion around healing relationships reinforced something we know well – that relationships aren’t a small piece of the intervention; they are the intervention. As residential practitioners, we spend thousands of ordinary moments alongside young people, and it’s often those everyday interactions that make the greatest difference.

A session exploring relational supervision and leadership particularly stood out. It challenged leaders to think less about managing tasks and more about creating environments where staff feel connected, supported and able to do emotionally demanding work. Anyone working in residential care knows that if we want young people to experience safe relationships, our staff need to experience them too.

There was also a strong emphasis on developing relational practitioners through supervision, something that aligns closely with 91����’s commitment to reflective practice and continuous learning. It was reassuring to see that the conversations we’re having in Scotland are also taking place internationally.

It wasn’t about discovering revolutionary ideas. It was about realising that good practice looks remarkably similar wherever you go.

Proud to Be Part of the Conversation

One of the highlights of the trip was spending time with Martin Stabrey, Chief Operating Officer at CYC-Net – a global online community and knowledge-sharing platform dedicated to advancing the field of child and youth care

Martin spoke incredibly highly of 91���� and of Scotland’s ongoing support for CYC-Net. It was a genuinely proud moment – not just personally, but professionally – to hear such positive recognition for the organisation and the contribution 91���� continues to make to the wider Child and Youth Care community.

Sometimes you don’t realise how highly your organisation is regarded until someone from the other side of the world tells you.

Our Voice Carries

As if the week hadn’t already been memorable enough, it finished with 91���� receiving recognition from CYC-Net for outstanding contribution.

Awards are always nice. But this one felt different.

It recognised years of commitment to developing Child and Youth Care – not just within 91����, but through sharing practice internationally, supporting learning and contributing to a profession that benefits when organisations work together rather than in competition.

Standing there, representing Scotland on an international stage, was a reminder that although we’re a relatively small country, our voice carries.

Bringing It Home

The biggest thing I brought back wasn’t a notebook full of ideas, but a lot of reassurance that the work happening at 91���� stands comfortably alongside some of the best Child and Youth Care organisations in the world.

That our focus on relationships, reflective practice and trauma-informed care isn’t just something we talk about internally – it’s recognised internationally as good practice.

I’m so grateful to 91���� for this opportunity, and have come home with new connections, a slightly expanded waistline (thanks to Newfoundland hospitality), and a healthy respect for just how small the Child and Youth Care world really is.

This is an incredibly proud moment for our charity, who ensures children, young people and adults get tailored care, education, support and opportunities to help them thrive in all aspects of their lives. After months of rigorous self-assessment and reflective practice, 91���� was formally measured across five core areas including: emotional wellbeing, social communication, interaction and relationships, and sensory experiences. Through spending observational time within our houses, schools, and family sessions, 91���� was praised for its strong person-centred, trauma-informed culture, it’s nurturing relationships and emotional support, strong development of independent and life skills, and high quality-communication support.

About the Autism Accreditation Programme

The Autism Accreditation Programme is the UK’s only autism-specific quality assurance scheme, offering specialist support and development for organisations working with autistic people. Achieving accreditation demonstrates a clear commitment to understanding autism and delivering high-quality, evidence-informed practice. It provides a recognised way for services to show they offer effective and meaningful support to autistic children and adults.

With more than 30 years of experience, Autism Accreditation is an internationally recognised standard and remains the longest-running programme of its kind worldwide.

Championing Equality and Inclusion

Across 91����, a number of the children and young people we support have neurodevelopmental conditions including autism. We therefore take a child-centred, trauma-informed approach across our practice, education, environments, resources and culture to ensure young people are supported, understood, and included in all aspects of life.

The first services within 91���� to receive the NAS accreditation were our children’s houses Ness and Tay at our primary-years campus in Lochwinnoch. Our houses were highly praised for the way in which they champion the children in their care. Social stories play a significant part in helping children to understand and prepare for activities and events in their day. The stories are highly visual, using inclusive language that follows a linear, time-based communication style – now, next, then.Staff use a range of tools to support children, including visual communication methods, social stories, the use of sign-based communication, Makaton and digital systems.

The houses, gardens and forest grounds offer nurturing sensory spaces for the children. Many of the children love running their feet over the tactile rugs, jumping on the trampoline, or walking through the forest and mimicking the bird song. The environment helps children to feel calm, happy and safe. But of course, the thing that makes them feel the safest is the wonderful cuddles from the trusting adults around them.  

After Ness and Tay’s successful accreditation, we’re now actively going through the accreditation programme across further service “clusters” including education, and further children’s houses including intensive support and secure care services. We’re on target to achieve the next phase of our organisation-wide accreditation by summer 2026. This is a key milestone for 91����, and we look forward to continuing to shape systems and practice that champion the needs, rights and voices of all young people.

Through Career Start, job seekers who want to make a positive difference to young people can qualify as a Child and Youth Care Worker. Ruby jumped at the chance for the practical learning experience while earning a wage.

Ruby now works in one of our therapeutic residential houses, creating safe and nurturing routines for care-experienced young children while supporting their emotional development.

Ruby reflects on her life before Career Start: “I’m from the Inverclyde area and always knew I wanted to work with young people. Before becoming a trainee, I worked in hospitality, pharmacy and sales – but supporting children who’ve experienced trauma was always my end goal.”

The training has been life-changing for Ruby too: “It’s so important for every young person to have an adult they feel safe with and Career Start gave me the opportunity to be that grown-up for someone.”

Playing an important role in the lives of young people is something Ruby finds truly fulfilling: “There’s no fixed routine in this job – every day is different, and I love that. The relationships you build with the young people are amazing. Communication, critical thinking and problem-solving are all key skills I’ve developed and continue to grow in this role.”

Ruby is now encouraging others to take the leap and apply: “If you’re even thinking about applying – do it. It’s an incredible opportunity. You learn so much in just one year, and it’s one of the most rewarding jobs you can have.”

Be Part of Our Team

Now is the time to join Career Start and become a positive influence to care-experience young people.

Career Start gives young people an opportunity to earn while training as a Child and Youth Care Worker. This caught the attention of university graduate Allanah.

After graduating from university with a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies, Allanah initially considered a career in teaching – but a friend’s recommendation led her to apply for the 12-month, paid traineeship at 91���� instead.

Allanah explains why she decided to apply to Career Start: “I’m from the Renfrewshire area and have always wanted a job that felt meaningful and rewarding. Having worked in retail since I was 16 and spending time teaching English abroad, I knew I wanted to support young people in a more hands-on way.”

Every day is different, which Allanah enjoys: “Working at 91���� has been an incredibly enriching experience. No two days are the same. From helping with homework to planning fun activities and days out – like a recent trip to Braehead with one of the young people – it’s these everyday moments that help build trust and strong relationships.”

Photo of Allanah taken by a young person on a shopping trip.

Although Allanah acknowledges there can be challenges, she says the rewards far outweigh the difficulties: “Learning about the trauma that some young people have faced, and how that can affect their behaviour, isn’t easy. But the level of training and support we receive – as well as the sense of purpose – makes it all worthwhile. I’d encourage anyone considering a career in childcare to apply.”

Career Start is open to all and welcomes applications from those who want to make a difference to the lives of young people. No prior experience or formal qualifications are required. Trainees are supported to gain an HNC in Social Services while receiving a full-time wage based on the Scottish Living Wage, with a guaranteed interview for a permanent role on successful completion of the course.

Be Part of Our Team

Now is the time to join Career Start and become a positive influence to care-experience young people.