Children and Families Practitioner

Job Description

 

As part of our Children and Young People’s Practice Team you will undertake a wide variety of work with children and young people from 0-26 years old. This includes supporting social workers to carry out parenting capacity assessments, supervising family time and direct work with children and their families. We undertake diversions from prosecution for young people in conflict with the law and support continuing care and after care within children’s services.

Children’s views and wishes are the foundation of our assessments and intervention: candidates should be confident and highly skilled communicators.  We offer a supportive team environment and excellent opportunities for continuous professional development. We value our workforce and provide staff with manageable caseloads, supportive supervision and a flexible working system.

Essential:

• Educated to HNC social care and SVQ Level 3 (children and young people) or equivalent with a relevant discipline.
• Experience of working with the national and local practice, policy, procedure and legislation relevant to the post. This includes an awareness of the SSSC Code of Practice, Human Rights legislation, United Nation Convention of the Rights of Child and getting it right for every child.
• Have experience of working with children and families including child development, and trauma based interventions,
• Knowledge and understanding of a range of systemic interventions and methodologies, such as attachment promoting, trauma based therapy, child development and parenting capacity.
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of key agencies.

Desirable:

• Experience of delivering parenting programmes or other group work.
• Specialist experience of working with children and families in crisis or at risk.
• Behavioural Interview skills.
• Experience in working with young people in conflict with the law.

Closing Date: 6th January 2025

Interview Date: 16th January 2025

 

Requirements

Position Title: Children and Families Practitioner

Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnerships

Location: Dalkeith Social Work Centre

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 Hours per Week

Working Pattern: Monday – Thursday 9-5 and Friday 9-3:30

Weeks per year: 52

Please note that it is Midlothian Councils policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

Based on 36 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £37,618.22 per annum. 

Responsibilities

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and/or protected adults.

Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children and Protected Adults. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you.

For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk  

The Individual

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call 0131 271 3063 to speak to a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.