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Ref no:
14257_1776354449
Published:
16/04/2026
Closes:
30/04/2026
Location:
4 East Market Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BG
Salary:
£47,639 - £56,392 per year
Contract Type:
Permanent
Position Type:
Full Time
Hours:
36 hours per week

Senior Social Worker - Mental Health and Substance Use
Northwest, Southwest and Southeast localities

Salary: £47,639 - £56,392
Hours: 36 per week

Edinburgh is an exciting city and excellent opportunities exist to join us and contribute towards helping all our citizens flourish. The Edinburgh City Health & Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) is on a journey to transform the way in which Social Work delivers support and services, for those impacted by Mental Health and Substance Use

We are looking for 3 Senior Social Worker's to join the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, within the fast paced and rewarding area of Mental Health and Substance Use. As a service we are committed to supporting individuals with complex mental health and/or substance use needs to engage with recovery focused care and treatment, while providing a trauma informed and person-centred social work service.

You will be responsible for the line management of a small team of social workers and CCA's, while working closely with health and partner agencies to develop care plans and support people to remain safe and work towards their recovery goals in the community. The service is split across the 4 areas of the city and you will work closely with your colleagues in the other areas to ensure consistency and provide support and cover for each other.

These are well established posts, with vacancies having been generated through retirement, promotion and staff progression within the area of mental health and substance use.

This post is open to qualified Social Workers who are committed to making a real difference to the lives of the adult citizens of Edinburgh. MHO, Practice Educator and ASP qualifications are desirable. We are looking for candidates who are energetic, imaginative, creative and resilient, who can make the best use of local resources. Trauma informed, relationships and strengths based social work is at the heart of our practice.

We use a Recovery Focused and Conversations approach to understand what really matters to people and families, what needs to happen next for them, and how we can be most useful. We also have the Social Care (Self-directed Support) (Scotland) Act 2013 at the heart of our practice, to provide a range of choices to people for how they are provided with the support they need.

You will have line management responsibility of a group of social workers, with an opportunity to develop the services. Knowledge and experience of working within Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Adult with Incapacity and Adult Support and Protection is essential as well as working with complex cases. Experience of managing others and working within a multidisciplinary team is also desirable.

This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. An unconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone feels valued and able to be their best. We particularly encourage applications from women for senior roles, as well as people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodivergent people, care experienced people, carers and LGBT+ people across all levels of the organisation, all of whom are currently underrepresented. All applicants will be considered fairly based on skills and experience. Disabled and care-experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Find out more about our commitment to equalities https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/work-us/inclusive-edinburgh/4

As part of our goal to improve organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure we're recruiting the best people. We're interested not only in your skills and experience but also in your approach to work. Therefore, part of our interview process will be an assessment of how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.

You can find out more on Our Behaviours web page Our Behaviours - The City of Edinburgh Council

Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range.

Happy to talk flexible working.

Follow us on X at @edincounciljobs

View Senior Social Worker job description

View Senior Social Worker person specification

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  • Scottish Living Wage
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