Planning Officer x2

Job Vacancy

Children’s Services continues to be impacted by the complex needs of the children and families that we support. This is an exciting opportunity to be the front of service development and review. These roles will lead the review, planning and development of internal resources including our workforce. This will include planning to increase internal support services including residential care, commissioned services, and workforce planning. Candidates need a depth of understanding of modern social work practice and the challenges that face service delivery. The post holder will need highly developed communication skills to support stakeholder engagement, writing policy and reports.

Queries can be directed to Rebecca.hooton@midlothian.gov.uk

The jobholder must hold a degree level qualification in social work or an acceptable equivalent discipline or a post-graduate qualification from a recognised professional institute.

In order to exercise the wider remit of the post, in particular the awareness of professional and legislative changes and the development of good practice following the publication of reports, a jobholder requires post-qualifying experience to include the following:

• direct practice experience of service planning or development
• substantial experience in the delivery or management of services within a social care environment
• practical experience of partnership working and joint commissioning
• proven report writing and presentation skills.

This experience is gained through having held a variety of roles in the service provision field.

The jobholder calls on a knowledge of social work and related legislation, a wide knowledge of Council policies, and an understanding of the needs and expectations of external partners and providers and must have an understanding of the interrelationship between individual and aggregated need in order to assess, prioritise and choose between options.

This Post requires education to degree level with postholders frequently having undertaken additional post qualifying training or having considerable post qualifying experience. Professional qualification in Social Work, Health, or related discipline.

In order to exercise the wider remit of the post, in particular the awareness of professional and legislative changes and the development of good practice following the publication of reports, a jobholder requires post-qualifying experience to include the following:

• Direct practice experience of service planning or development.
• Substantial experience in the delivery or management of services within a social care environment.
• Practical experience of partnership working and joint commissioning.
• Proven report writing and presentation skills.

This experience is gained through having held a variety of roles in the service provision field.

-         Essential understanding of Adult Social Care and Health and Community service systems, and awareness of transition and complex connections, relationships, and pathways between Services.

-         Essential and contemporary specialist knowledge relating to one or more service areas. Acting as a conduit to national strategic development; knowledge of best practice and research, introducing this to and implementing within local practice. e.g. Learning disabilities, Older People, Mental Health, and ability to draw on practice in these areas, and issues relevant to service users and clients within these services.

CLOSING DATE - Sunday 18th January 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - February 2026 TBC

Job Advert

Position Title: Planning Officer x2

Directorate: Children, Young People & Partnerships

Location: Fairfield House

Contract Status: Fixed term for 2 years

Hours of Work: 36

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday

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 £48,370.86  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

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 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 who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.