Chief Social Work Officer - Elgin House - SOA12275

JOB DESCRIPTION

To be responsible for the professional oversight across the Partnership for all Social Work and related functions. Acting as a focus for professional leadership and governance in regard to these functions the Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO) will be pivotal in setting and driving forward the strategic direction of Social Work and related services within South Ayrshire.

You will be responsible for both practice and performance development in supporting the achievement of the council’s key strategic aims and objectives and to ensure a consistent approach is adopted in the conduct and development of all Social Work and related functions.

As the CSWO for the Council you will contribute to wider Service agendas while maintaining productive and co-operative working relationships with Elected Members, NHS Non Executives, Heads of Service, senior officers and stakeholders across partner organisations whilst operating as a non-voting member of the Integration Joint Board (IJB) and any other appropriate national and or local bodies.

The CSWO should assist local authorities and their partners in understanding the complexities and cross-cutting nature of social work service delivery – including in relation to particular issues such as corporate parenting, child protection, adult protection and the management of high risk offenders - and also the key role social work plays in contributing to the achievement of a wide range of national and local outcomes. The CSWO also has a contribution to make in supporting overall performance improvement and management of corporate risk.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

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ABOUT US

South Ayrshire is at the heart of historic Ayrshire, with a wealth of local heritage and culture, first class leisure amenities, world-wide travel links, diverse landscapes and thriving communities.

Making a difference for our communities is at the heart of what we do and working with us means, you can use your skills, knowledge and experience to help us do just that. We currently employ around 6000 people to serve a population of more than 112,000 people located across a diverse area that includes the towns of Ayr, Girvan, Maybole, Prestwick and Troon as well as small rural villages, coastline and farmland.

We are an ambitious Council, and we aim to place people at the centre of everything we do as we look to deliver the best possible outcomes. We are ambitious for our communities too and our new Council Plan is based on priorities and outcomes that we believe will have the greatest impact on the wellbeing of our communities, our local economy, and our environment.

BENEFITS 

Here’s what we can offer! 

• Competitive salary
• Excellent pension scheme
• Generous annual leave entitlement and enhanced leave scheme (purchase of up to 2 weeks’ holidays)
• Wellbeing initiatives and Occupational Health services
• A healthy environment supportive of work-life balance and caring responsibilities
• Car leasing scheme
• Discounts on major supermarkets and retailers, cinemas and gym memberships (including Council leisure facilities)
• Purchase of white goods and more via salary sacrifice
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Scotwest Credit Union

REQUIREMENTS

This post is considered to be Regulated Work with children and/or protected adults as specified in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) (PVG) Act 2007. Accordingly, the preferred candidate will be required to become a member of the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if already a Scheme member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made. If you wish further information on the PVG Scheme you can visit the Disclosure Scotland website at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk.

Please note you may be required to meet PVG costs. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Interviews for this post are scheduled for week commencing 24 February 2026.

The grade of this post is Level 17.

The work style for this post is Hybrid Worker.

The successful candidate will be required to work flexibly between home and the office and the frequency for attending the office may vary depending on the exigencies of the service.