Social Worker (Children's Services)

Social Worker (SCIM Joint Investigative Interviewer)
Children's Services

Salary: £40,501 - £47,639 per year
Hours: 36 per week

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a SCIM (Scottish Child Interview Model) social worker within the Child Protection Resource in Edinburgh.

The team are based within the Sycamore Partnership building, which brings together NHS Lothian, Police Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council and East Lothian Council.

The SCIM model is well established within Edinburgh, having commenced implementation in February 2023.

We work within a culture of continuous improvement and it is vital for the applicant to be able to demonstrate flexible thinking and the ability to approach change and practice development with positivity.

The SCIM team is part of the Child Protection Resource which undertakes initial assessments for children who are the subject of an IRD and are not already allocated to a social worker.

The successful applicant will be involved in undertaking SCIM join investigative interviews with children who may have experienced or witnessed abuse or neglect, in partnership with police. The role also requires the applicant to be confident in providing support and assessment for children and families to consider any unmet needs, or ongoing risk.

There is an expectation that the person will also undertake assessment work within the wider Child Protection Resource prior to becoming trained as a SCIM JII interviewer, and beyond as required.

It is not necessary to have already undertaken SCIM training, as the opportunity to undertake this training will be offered within the role. This involves joining the National Joint Interview Training Programme. The training includes 30 days of face-to-face training over 3 modules, with reading and course work in addition.

Prospective Candidates

Applicants must be a qualified social worker and should meet the following criteria:

· Demonstrate a sound understanding of the child protection process, from IRD to conclusion and how Joint Investigative Interviews inform this.
· Demonstrate experience of undertaking child protection assessments
· Demonstrate that their practice is trauma-informed.
· Demonstrate the ability to work well in a multi-agency partnership to keep children safe
· Demonstrate the ability to actively contribute to the planning for joint investigative interviews, and briefing and de-briefing discussion.
· Demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of quality assurance within our work, and the need to support children to provide their views to inform service improvement.
· Have an understanding of children's rights and the national implementation of UNCRC
· Demonstrate a strength and solution-based approach to operational service challenges
· Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development

If you would like to discuss more about the role, please contact Rose Cwiertnia, Team Leader rose.cwiertnia@edinbugh.gov.uk

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.

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