Children and Families Social Worker

Job Vacancy

This is an exciting opportunity to work in the expanding area of fostering and adoption in Midlothian Council. We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic social worker to work in our Family Centred Care Team. We ask that you have experience and knowledge of working within the field of permanence and can undertake a range of assessments for potential adopters, foster carers and kinship carers, as appropriate. You will be involved in the recruitment, training and supervision of a range of carers in the Midlothian Council area.

As a qualified and registered social worker, you will have experience of family placement work and preferably experience of foster care practice including the assessment of potential foster carers. A good knowledge of fostering regulations, childcare law and safeguarding issues is essential. You will have excellent communication skills and a commitment to high quality practice.

A degree in Social Work and registration with the SSSC as a Social Worker is essential a Diploma in Social Work with SSSC registration as a social worker is an acceptable alternative together with a Mental Health Officer academic qualification.

Essential:

• BA Social Work qualification or equivalent DipSW, CQSW and SSSC registration.

The job holder also needs to be able to demonstrate an understanding or experience of:

• Legal frameworks and the Local Authority’s statutory responsibilities relevant to the service area;
• National and local practice, policy, procedure and legislation relevant to the post;
• Have knowledge and understanding of a range of systemic interventions and methodologies such as attachment, child development, systemic support, relationship-based approach, motivational interviewing techniques and the impact of trauma.

Desirable:

• Post-qualifying experience working with children and families;
• Child Welfare and Protection Certificate, or demonstrate a commitment to work towards it;
• Joint Investigative Interview Certificate, or demonstrate a commitment to work towards it.

A working knowledge of motivational interviewing techniques.

 

CLOSING DATE:  Thursday 18^th May 2023

INTERVIEW DATE:  Week commencing 29^th May 2023

Job Advert

Position Title:                    Children and Families Social Worker  

Directorate:                        Children, Young People and Partnership

Location:                           Family Centred Care

Contract Status:                Permanent

Hours of Work:                  36

Working Pattern:                Flexible

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 you working 36 hours over 52 weeks per year the minimum actual salary for this position is £38,058.00 per annum.

Requirements

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 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

Additional Information

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.