Team Leader - Children’s Services

Job Description

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Duty Team Leader to join our Children’s Services social work team, leading with our core principles of relationships, prevention and recovery,

This is a pivotal role at the front door of our service where, alongside the other Duty Team Leader, you will provide leadership, oversight and direction to a busy duty team ensuring children and families receive timely, effective and compassionate support.

Located within our Dalkeith Children’s Services office, the team consists of 7 social workers, 2 children’s practitioners and 2 team leaders, working closely with colleagues across the service and partner agencies to deliver support across Midlothian.

About the role

As Duty Team Leader, you will:

• Lead and support a team of social workers and children’s practitioners in a fast-paced duty environment
• Oversee decision-making, ensuring timely, proportionate responses that promote early help and prevention
• Drive high-quality practice that focuses on building strengths-based relationships with children, families and partners
• Ensure risks are identified and managed effectively, supporting positive outcomes and recovery where needed
• Provide reflective supervision, alongside support and guidance, to promote good practice and develop a skilled, sustainable workforce
• Work collaboratively with partners to deliver joined-up, child-centred services

About you

We are seeking a confident and experienced leader who:

• Has substantial experience within Children’s Services, including child protection and assessment
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure
• Is committed to relationship-based practice and improving outcomes for children and families
• Understands the importance of early help, prevention, and recovery-focused approaches
• Can inspire, support, and challenge a team to deliver high standards of practice

What we offer

• A supportive leadership team with opportunities for group supervision and reflection
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• A service that is committed to getting it right for children and families through recovery, prevention, and relationships
• Competitive salary, with appointment at a point commensurate with experience

This is an exciting opportunity to influence front-line practice and make a real difference at the first point of contact. You will play a key role in shaping how we respond to families, ensuring that every interaction is purposeful, supportive and focused on long-term positive change.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Amy Evans, Service Manager (amy.evans@midlothian.gov.uk)

 

CLOSING DATE - Tuesday 30th June 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - Wednesday 8th July 2026

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE

 

Extensive technical and specialist knowledge is required and underpinned by both breadth and depth of knowledge likely to be gained by the acquisition of formal qualifications such as a degree. A considerable period of relevant working experience will be needed to perform competently and jobholders may contribute to internal working parties considering the operational implications of external change.

The jobholder must hold a Diploma or Degree in an appropriate social work discipline that is recognised by the SSSC with substantial experience in family placement and/or children and families social work. The job holder must have or be working towards a management qualification within a three year period.

To deliver the remit of this post also requires the jobholder to keep abreast of current
developments in the fields of Children & Families along with current and future legislation changes that impact on the service.

S/he will have experience of working within a multi-agency environment and an in-depth knowledge of working with children’s establishments in addition to experience of managing a professional staff team and/or managing/leading on a project. Previous management experience with budget responsibility and excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to the role.

 

Position Title: Team Leader - Children’s Services

Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnerships

Location: Children & Families, 7 Eskdaill Court

Contract Status: Fixed Term until 31/08/2028

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday - Friday

Weeks per year: 52

Based on 36 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £56,391.97 per annum.

Responsibilities

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 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

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.

The Individual

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.