Team Leader, Community Justice Social Work, Perth

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of something meaningful. It's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.

We currently have the following opportunity:

Team Leader - PKC13894
£56,348 - £60,647
Community Justice Social Work Service

Shape lives, build safer communities - join the Community Justice Social Work Service at Perth and Kinross Council. Guided by the values of compassion, integrity and ambition, our teams make a meaningful impact every day.

We offer a collaborative, inclusive environment where your voice matters, your wellbeing is supported, and your professional growth is nurtured. Be part of a council that recognises the life‑changing impact of a service that invests in early intervention, innovation and frontline excellence.

Our Community Justice Social Work Service plays a vital role in improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities through high-quality, rights-based and person-centred practice. We value relationship-based approaches and innovation, and provide a supportive, inclusive environment where staff wellbeing and professional development are prioritised.

As a Team Leader within Community Justice Social Work, you will provide leadership, direction and operational oversight to Social Workers and Senior Practitioners, ensuring the delivery of high-quality statutory services.

The team delivers a wide range of justice social work functions, including the preparation of court, prison and parole reports, supervision of individuals subject to Community Payback Orders and post-custodial licences, and the management of risk through MAPPA processes. The service also plays a key role in early intervention through Diversion from Prosecution, Structured Deferred Sentences and Bail Supervision, alongside delivering specialist interventions such as Drug and Alcohol Treatment Requirements and groupwork programmes. In addition, the service includes the One-stop Women’s Learning Service (OWLS), which provides a gender-specific, trauma-informed approach to supporting women involved in the justice system.

In this role, you will:

• Provide leadership, supervision and support to staff
• Drive service improvement in line with national policy, legislation and local priorities
• Lead partnership working across justice and community planning partners
• Chair complex multi-agency meetings
• Oversee allocation of work, statutory reviews and case management processes
• Contribute to quality assurance and ensure high standards in reports and risk assessments
• Support service planning, development and implementation of change

This is a dynamic and varied role requiring strong leadership, sound judgement and the ability to respond effectively to competing operational demands.

Please note, we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this post.

Skills & Experience Required

We are looking for a confident and experienced leader with a strong background in justice social work and a commitment to continuous service improvement. Alongside a Degree/Diploma in Social Work, you will have significant post-qualifying experience, including experience of managing risk in the community and demonstrable competence in undertaking assessments of risk of serious harm. You will also bring proven supervisory or leadership skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective partnerships across agencies.

You will demonstrate excellent communication and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage complexity and drive positive outcomes for individuals and communities. A flexible, solution-focused approach and a commitment to high standards of practice are essential.

You must hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), with a commitment to continuing professional development. Membership of the PVG Scheme is required, and the post is subject to Non Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level 2.

Based at our office in Perth city centre, you will be part of a supportive management team and will report to the Operational Manager. You will be expected to work a minimum of three days per week from the office. The post holder may occasionally be required to assist at either of the two prison establishments within Perth and Kinross, depending on the needs of the service.

You must have a valid UK driving licence as this post requires you to travel to a variety of locations across Perth and Kinross.

Interviews are expected to take place on 20th and 21st July.

For an informal discussion, please contact:
Ali MacRae, Operational Manager
alisonmacrae@pkc.gov.uk

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Flexi time
• Access to a range of benefits

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

All new employees have a four-month probationary period. Further details are available in the FAQs at “How to apply for a job or apprenticeship with us”.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Ali MacRae, Operational Manager via alisonmacrae@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.

Click “APPLY NOW”

External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses. One of these must be your current or most recent employer.

We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.

Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regarded as a regulated role and under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check and maintain your membership.

If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.

A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.