Team Leader – Children’s Services (Practice Team)

Job Vacancy

 

We are looking for an experienced and dynamic team leader to join our Children’s Services Practice Team, which has responsibility for a range of child protection, permanence and other statutory work.  

We are committed to upholding the Promise and adopting a rights base approach to all the children, young people and families that we support.

 

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.

 

CLOSING DATE - Monday 23rd March 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - Friday 3rd April 2026

Job Advert

Position Title: Team Leader – Children’s Services (Practice Team)

Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnerships

Location: Eskdaill Court 

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

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 £54,475.92 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.