Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team as a Social Services Screening Officer, assessing referrals and making impactful decisions.
- Company: We are Scotland's independent regulator for social service workers, ensuring a trusted workforce.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible work options, generous holidays, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable people while growing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualifications and experience in social work are essential, along with strong communication skills.
- Other info: Agile working policy allows for both office and remote work; regular team meetings foster collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 38700 - 42000 £ per year.
£44,757 – £48,453
35 hours per week
Permanent
Dundee
About the role
A vacancy has arisen within our Fitness to Practise Department for a Social Services Screening Officer (SSSO) to apply social work knowledge, experience and transferable skills to a role within the team that ensures that the right people work with some of the most vulnerable in society.
The SSSO role is in our screening team, which plays an intake/duty role within the work of the department. You will receive referrals with concerns about people on our register and will gather initial information, carry out risk assessments against our regulatory criteria, and make decisions and recommendations about the case in those early stages. You will also draw on your social work knowledge and experience to provide advice to colleagues.
Who we are
We are the independent regulator for social service workers in Scotland. Our work means the people of Scotland can count on social work, social care and children and young people services being provided by a trusted, skilled and confident workforce.
We protect the public by registering people working in social work, social care and children and young people services, setting standards for their practice, conduct, training and education and by supporting their professional development. Where people fall below the standards of practice and conduct, we can investigate and take action.
What you need to succeed
You must demonstrate that you:
• have relevant qualifications and experience
• can make evidence-based decisions on nuanced matters and record your reasons clearly
• communicate clearly, sensitively and using plain language, including to people who may be disappointed by a decision
• share our values of working together, responsibility and accountability, respect and recognition
• thrive in a fast-paced environment, managing your own workload.
Why work for us
You can really make an impact here. We are an ambitious, enthusiastic and supportive organisation with around 300 employees. We offer a generous salary, flexible working arrangements, a full range of benefits, local government pension scheme and up to 43 days holiday (dependent on service).
You can find out more about the benefits of working here on our website.
Our office is in Dundee and we have an agile working policy that supports office and remote working arrangements, depending on the requirements of each job, which we are happy to discuss with candidates. All staff are required to attend the office at times for example, for meetings, training, staff events.
We do meet in the office regularly (at least once a month) or when appropriate for the task at hand. New members of the team are asked to be in the office more often (usually two days per week) for the first six to eight weeks.
How to apply
You’ll find more information in the job profile and person specification.
Find more information about us here on our website and on facebook.com/thesssc, Twitter @SSSCNews, Instagram @SSSCNews and LinkedIn @Scottish Social Services Council.
For an informal chat about the role, please contact David Morrison, Fitness to Practise Manager, to arrange a time.
To apply, please complete the online application by 8.00am on Monday 31 March 2025 .
We expect this to be a two-stage process, with the first stage being a written exercise sent to shortlisted candidates on 7 April for completion and return within one week. For candidates progressing to interview, we expect to hold interviews during the week beginning 28 April .
Social Services Screening Officer employer: Scottish Social Services Council
Contact Detail:
Scottish Social Services Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Services Screening Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the regulatory criteria and standards that govern social work practice in Scotland. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions during the screening process and demonstrate your expertise in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice clear and sensitive communication skills. Since you'll be dealing with vulnerable individuals and potentially disappointing news, being able to convey information in a compassionate manner is crucial.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment by preparing examples from your past experiences where you successfully managed multiple cases or workloads. This will highlight your adaptability and efficiency.
✨Tip Number 4
Engage with the Scottish Social Services Council's online presence. Following them on social media and understanding their values can give you insights into their culture and help you align your application with their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Social Services Screening Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Social Services Screening Officer. Review the job description carefully and think about how your qualifications and experience align with the requirements.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasize your social work knowledge and any relevant experience. Provide specific examples of how you've made evidence-based decisions and communicated effectively in sensitive situations.
Use Clear and Concise Language: When writing your application, use plain language that is easy to understand. Avoid jargon and ensure your communication is clear, especially when discussing complex or nuanced matters.
Prepare for the Written Exercise: Since the application process includes a written exercise, practice writing concise and well-structured responses. Familiarize yourself with potential scenarios you might encounter in the role and prepare to articulate your thought process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Social Services Council
✨Showcase Your Social Work Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss your relevant qualifications and experience in social work. Highlight specific instances where you've applied your knowledge to make evidence-based decisions, especially in nuanced situations.
✨Communicate Clearly and Sensitively
Practice articulating your thoughts in a clear and sensitive manner. Remember, you may need to explain complex decisions to individuals who might be disappointed, so using plain language is key.
✨Demonstrate Your Values
Familiarize yourself with the organization's values of teamwork, responsibility, accountability, respect, and recognition. Be ready to provide examples of how you embody these values in your professional life.
✨Prepare for a Fast-Paced Environment
Think about your experiences managing workloads in fast-paced settings. Be ready to share strategies you use to prioritize tasks and maintain efficiency while ensuring quality in your work.
