Social Worker - Children's Services Duty Team

Job Vacancy

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified social worker to join our Duty Team in Children's Services in Midlothian. As the “front door” to statutory Children’s Services, our team is shifting from a primarily child protection investigatory response toward a strengths‑based, relational way of working that prioritises “how we can help” from the very first contact.

We aim to engage families early, uphold strong front‑door principles, and provide meaningful, proportionate support that promotes wellbeing, equity and inclusion. If you want to make a real difference at the point where families need us most, and be part of a team committed to compassionate, confident and forward‑thinking practice, we welcome your application.

Working as part of an experienced and motivated team, you will work under Child Protection and Looked After and Accommodated structures and Council policies and procedures to undertake initial assessments, provide advice, support, and short-term interventions. Initial assessments will be undertaken working closely with our police, health, education and third sector colleagues, with a shared goal of promoting Children & Young People’s safety and wellbeing 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.

KNOWLEDGE

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 - Sun 22^nd November 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - Monday 30^th November 2026

Job Advert

Position Title: Social Worker - Children's Services Duty Team

Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnerships

Location: 7 Eskdaill Court

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern: Mon - Fri

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 out with 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.