Senior Social Worker - DGA13525 in Dumfries

You will be required to work 18 hours per week, 52.14 weeks per year.

Dumfries and Galloway's Adult Support and Protection (ASP) / Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Team is looking for an experienced and passionate Senior Social Worker to join our dynamic and innovative service. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished social worker who wants to lead, influence practice, and help protect some of the most vulnerable adults in our communities while working alongside highly skilled colleagues across social work, health and police services.

In June 2025, our ASP/MASH Team participated in a supported self-evaluation with the Care Inspectorate, HMICS and Healthcare Improvement Scotland, achieving:

• 5 Very Good ratings
• 2 Good ratings

Inspectors recognised our strong organisational culture, excellent multi-agency collaboration, high-quality practice, and unwavering commitment to ensuring adults at risk remain at the centre of all interventions.

No two days are the same. You'll work with adults experiencing a wide range of complex circumstances including:

• Adult Protection concerns
• Incapacity and vulnerability
• Mental Health issues
• Substance Use
• Self-Neglect
• Domestic Abuse

We are proud to be the first Social Work Team in Dumfries and Galloway to pilot and evaluate artificial intelligence technology that supports recording, transcription and case note creation. The benefits have been significant, reducing administrative burden and improving staff wellbeing, work-life balance and time for direct practice.

We are a small, highly supportive and cohesive team with a strong focus on:

• Reflective practice
• Trauma-informed approaches
• Human rights-based practice
• Relationship and strengths-based interventions

We believe that when staff feel supported, adults receive better outcomes.

We're looking for a Qualified Social Worker with:

• Extended social work practice experience
• A recognised post-qualifying award
• Excellent knowledge of Adult Support and Protection legislation
• Confidence working in high-risk situations
• Strong partnership-working and decision-making skills

You will play a key role in:

• Triage and screening of referrals
• Initial Referral Discussions
• Providing guidance and support to practitioners
• Quality assurance and service development
• Working collaboratively with Police, Health and partner agencies
• Representing the service at regional and national forums

This post is considered as Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. From 28 February 2011, preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to formal offer of employment being made by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Applicants who have been resident outside the UK within the last 5 years, if offered a position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police record check from the police authority in the country or countries in which they were resident. A current driving licence is an essential requirement of this post. However, if you have a disability which precludes you from holding a driving licence consideration will be given if alternative transport can be arranged. This is a fixed term post for a period of up to 12 months to cover a maternity leave. This post may be suitable for secondment. Agreement from your line manager must be sought before applying for this post.

With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing. Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more. Employees also get access to membership of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland), exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.

Here at Dumfries and Galloway Council we are committed to equality, diversity and equal opportunity with our values, which include treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, driving us to tackle inequality. We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation.

If you're an experienced social worker who is passionate about safeguarding adults, driving quality practice and supporting colleagues to achieve their best, we'd love to hear from you. For an informal discussion contact Donna Fisher, Team Manager ASP/MASH.

Join a team that is innovative, ambitious and recognised for excellence. Help us continue making a real difference to the lives of adults across Dumfries and Galloway. Apply today.