Children’s Services Practitioner

Job Vacancy

Imagine you could change someone’s life. Being a Practitioner within our service you could do just that. Midlothian Residential Services have an exciting opportunity for a Children’s Services Practitioner to join our team. Your skills, values and experience can truly transform our children’s lives.

We provide safe, warm and nurturing homes for children with complexed emotional, behavioural and attachment needs to live in. We are looking for individuals who can provide the warm and nurturing care our young people require to help them meet their potential and live happy lives. Recently achieving a Very Good grading in our inspection, you will be joining an ambitious, creative, forward thinking team who go above and beyond to ensure our children, both past and present achieve the best possible care and support.

 

Ideal candidate

You will already have achieved an HNC in social care and SVQ Level 3 (children and young people), or equivalent, with a relevant discipline. You will have direct experience of working with children and their families, as well as having a depth of knowledge in approaches such as Trauma Informed Practice, Relational Based Practice, Child Development and Attachment. You will be familiar with the SSSC Code of Practice, Human Rights legislation, United Nation Convention of the Rights of Child, getting it right for every child and the Promise.

Experience of working within a Young Person’s Residential Setting is desirable as is specialist experience of working with children and young people in crisis or at risk; this may include children at risk of harm, looked after children, children affected by disability, care experienced young people and young people who offend.

 

KNOWLEDGE

 

You must be educated to a minimum of HNC in Health and Social care and SVQ Level 3 (children and young people) or equivalent with a relevant discipline for registration with the SSSC. You must have previous experience of working with young people in a residential setting and a commitment to continued professional development.

You will have a sound knowledge base in relation to working with children and young people, and in the using a relationship based trauma informed approach which promotes positive attachments.

Travelling is integral to this role and you will be required to travel across Midlothian either using public transport, or your own car if appropriate, as required.

The jobholder will undertake training specified within the Service training & staff development plan in relation to the administration of medication.

 

CLOSING DATE – Thursday 11th June 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - Thursday 18th and Friday 19th June 2026

Job Advert

Position Title: Children’s Services Practitioner

Directorate: Children, Young People & Partnerships

Location: Woodburn Court

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern: Shifts – including weekends and evenings

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 £40,500.03 per annum. 

Requirements

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and 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 adults. Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children and 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

Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

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 email recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk to discuss with 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 who has previously been a looked after child, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.