Huge lack of communication - Anonymous Children First Employee Review

1.0
15 Sept 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Good holiday and nice vision for children in Scotland

Cons

Senior management have zero social skills and are inept at communicating with staff, lots of big talking “we are the best at what we do” when staff are drowning. Think huge staff turnover is normal.

Explore other reviews about Children First

1.0
9 Jan 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There are many lovely people and volunteers in the organisation, who are there for the right reasons.

Cons

Complete absence of stable leadership. Management are dismissive, unsupportive and dishonest. They minimise any issues raised by staff, who are then labeled as difficult or negative. No accountability by managers. Refusal by managers to document decisions, allowing them to deny anything that’s been said or agreed. Repeated instances of contradicting previous instruction or decisions, leading to confusion and discord. Managers discussing individual in open forums in a derogatory way, rather than addressing directly with individuals. Short-staffing a long standing issue, while workload continues to increase. Part-time staff and volunteers intentionally excluded from access to important information and tools, staff social occasions and training. Volunteer support actively discouraged. Absurd absence policy that treats employees like naughty children.

4
2.0
12 Jan 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great local services, frontline staff really care about children and families Good annual leave

Cons

Toxic management culture, despite frequent surveys things never change. Poor learning and development opportunities, dishonest and insincere attitude towards diversity and inclusion, teams frequently understaffed due to people quitting from unreasonable workloads/bullying. Gaslighting and manipulation from senior leaders, bullying and intimidation frequently reported by staff but never resolved. I think senior leaders believe their behaviour can go on undisputed however from the amount of staff leaving these things cannot stay under wraps forever! You would think this review, just like the many others posted here, would prompt some sort of reflection, and yet it did not happen during my time at this organisation.

2
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