Social Worker - Council HQ - Two Positions Available

Job Details

Grade: 9A

Hourly Rate: £24.74 - £26.72

Salary: £45153.19 - £48766.68 per annum

Hours: 35 per week

Interviews will take place 25th and 26th August 2026

 

Role Purpose

We are excited to announce the refresh of our Children and Families Duty Assessment team and invite you to be a part of this growth.

Our team provides timely, effective, empowering, and relationship-based responses to children, young people, and families throughout our authority.

Are you curious about the role you can play in our enhanced, more responsive staffing model?

Are you looking to expand and explore your professional practice, knowledge, and skills?

We are looking for two Social Workers to join our team of 5 social workers and 8 social work assistants. You will work directly with children, young people, and their families to undertake initial assessments of risk and need, including cases that meet the threshold for child protection measures.

Based in Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells, our team supports children and their families across the whole of the Scottish Borders.

The Duty team is a fast-paced environment where all concerns relating to children and young people are screened and initial assessments of risk and need are undertaken.

The team aims to undertake initial assessments in a timely manner, effectively analyse referral information and recognise and provide targeted interventions for children and their families at the earliest opportunity. We work closely with other professionals involved with the family to ensure robust multi-agency support. We aim to work in partnership with families to safeguard children and reduce risk of significant harm in cases where child protection thresholds are reached.

This is great opportunity for social workers to consolidate learning, expand and explore professional practice while gaining knowledge and skills.

Both posts require the applicant to be a qualified Social Worker (we also welcome applications from newly-qualified Social Workers and those who are qualifying) registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Scottish Borders Council Children’s Service firmly believes in the power of strengths-based, trauma-informed social work. Team members will be supported to develop an understanding of the impact of childhood and adult trauma, and to work effectively with children, young people and families where trauma, adversity or compromised parenting capacity may be present.

The successful candidates will benefit from a clear training framework, opportunities for professional development and further study, alongside regular supervision and support within a collaborative and reflective team environment.

 

Essential

Appropriate social work qualification at degree or diploma level (DipSW)

Registration with SSSC

 

A current driving licence and use of a vehicle is an essential requirement of this post. * If you have a disability which precludes you from holding a drivers licence, Scottish Borders Council will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability. Should it be possible to make such an adjustment in order that you can undertake the travel responsibilities of the post, this will be taken into account in consideration for this role.

 

Informal Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Mardette Fenwick or Dianne Porter on 01896 662787

 

Scottish Borders Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. In particular from candidates who assess themselves as having a disability, under the Disability Confident Employer scheme this guarantees an interview to those individuals who meet the essential criteria of the post. All appointments will be made on merit.

Scottish Borders Council is committed to providing support for Armed Forces Veterans. Showing its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, the Council guarantees an interview to veterans who meet the essential criteria of the post. All appointments will be made on merit.