Justice Social Worker

Job Vacancy

A fantastic and exciting opportunity has arisen within Midlothian Justice Services for one full-time, permanent Social Worker. The Justice Service is co-located with statutory partners in the Substance Use Service, Psychological Therapy Service, Intensive Home Treatment Team, Community Mental Health and the Joint Mental Health Team. Third sector partners also co-located in Number 11 include MELD, Health in Mind and Change, Grow, Live. The post will be mainly office based with the opportunity to work at home on occasion with the agreement of your line manager.

The successful candidate will undertake the full range of Justice Social Work duties both statutory work and early intervention and prevention. There will also be opportunity to participate in group work service provision.

In addition to the essential criteria, only applicants who are able to evidence their understanding of crime, its causes and impact on society; principles for effective practice; principles of risk management and risk assessment, alongside awareness of National Outcomes and Standards for Criminal Justice Social Work Services will be invited for interview. The selection process will involve a second interview with service users.

Skills

A valid full driving licence is considered essential for this post.

KNOWLEDGE

A qualification in Social Work and registration with the SSSC as a Social Worker is essential.

An understanding of crime, its causes and impact on society; principles for effective practice; principles of risk management and risk assessment alongside awareness of National Outcomes and Standards for Criminal Justice Social Work Services.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 11th October 2026

INITIAL INTERVIEW DATE: Tuesday 27^th October 2026

FURTHER SERVICE USER-LED INTERVIEW DATE: Monday 2nd November 2026

Job Advert

Position Title: Justice Social Worker

Directorate: Health and Social Care

Location: Number 11

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern: Mon to Thurs between 09:00-18:00 and Friday 09:00-16:00

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 £44,989.60 per annum.

Requirements

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

Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Protected Adults and Children, 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

Once you have submitted your application and this has been processed 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.

Please note: If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

SSSC registration is an essential requirement of this role. If you are appointed and are not already a member of the relevant section of the SSSC Register, you will be required to apply for registration within 3 months of your start date to ensure that you are registered within the required 6 months.

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.

Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form.