At a Glance
- Tasks: Inspect and improve care services for children and young people across Scotland.
- Company: Join the Care Inspectorate, dedicated to high-quality care and support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and a defined benefit pension.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualification at SCQF Level 9 or above required.
The predicted salary is between 39500 - 46300 £ per year.
Overview
Inspector (children and young people services). Location: mainland Scotland, with a focus on the central belt. Help shape the future for children and young people in Scotland. At the Care Inspectorate, we believe that everyone has the right to high-quality care that supports their choices, respects their rights, and meets their needs. That’s why our inspectors play such an essential role: working directly with care providers, people experiencing care, and partner organisations to drive up standards, support improvement, and ensure that care is consistently safe, effective, compassionate, and person-centred. We are currently recruiting for experienced professionals to join our children and young people team as inspectors, to fill vacancies in line with our future inspection plans. In addition, we are looking to build our talent pool so we can respond more flexibly to future workforce needs and continue to deliver high-quality scrutiny and improvement support across Scotland. Join us in shaping a more inclusive and equitable care system. If you’re driven to make a difference, we want to hear from you.
What the role involves
As an inspector in our children and young people team, you’ll play a vital role in supporting better experiences and outcomes for children and young people across Scotland.
- You’ll plan and carry out scrutiny and assurance activities in registered care services, working closely with providers, managers, staff, and, most importantly, children and young people who experience care.
- Your work will involve inspecting services, evaluating quality, providing feedback, and supporting improvement. You’ll assess services against the Health and Social Care Standards, highlight good practice, and, where necessary, take regulatory action.
- You’ll also contribute to internal learning, support national projects, and collaborate with other scrutiny bodies and the Scottish Government to help deliver the best possible impact for children and young people.
What you’ll bring
You’ll have recent experience of supporting the delivery of high-quality care for children and young people, along with a strong understanding of current developments and the challenges facing the sector. You will bring insight, compassion, and a deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of looked-after children and young people.
You will have leadership experience from roles such as registered care service manager, deputy manager, social worker, senior social worker, or social work manager. This could be through formal management, senior practitioner experience or leading key projects or strategic developments. We are particularly interested in those with backgrounds in residential care, housing support, throughcare or aftercare services.
You’ll be confident in assessment, critical analysis, and evidence-based decision-making, with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and in conversation. You’ll also bring a strong value base rooted in listening to children and young people and acting on what matters to them.
Please note, these posts are not aimed at applicants with an early learning and childcare only background. If your experience is primarily in early learning and childcare, we encourage you to apply for future vacancies aligned with that specialism.
Qualifications and registration
To apply for this role, you must hold a relevant qualification at SCQF Level 9 or above that enables registration with a recognised professional regulatory body such as the Scottish Social Services Council, Nursing and Midwifery Council, General Teaching Council for Scotland, or Health and Care Professions Council. In addition, your qualification must meet the requirements for Primary Authorised Officer status under the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010. This means it must be directly relevant to social services, social work, health, education, or a related care discipline. If you are unsure whether your qualification meets this requirement, we encourage you to contact us before applying.
If you are registering through the Scottish Social Services Council, you will also be required to hold or work towards a relevant practice qualification and complete the Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement Practice within five years of appointment.
What we offer
The starting salary for this role is fixed at the grade minimum, £46,569 for all new entrants in line with our pay policy. This is not subject to negotiation.
Due to the nature of the role, you must be willing to travel, with some inspections requiring overnight stays. Travel and accommodation costs are covered in line with our expenses policy.
Joining us will allow you to play an important and exciting role in helping deliver on Scotland’s Promise to children and young people.
How to apply
To find out more about working at the Care Inspectorate, our recruitment process and our talent pool, please visit our work with us section of the website.
For any further information, please contact our recruitment team at Inspector.Recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot and we will be happy to help with your query. Please do not call our general phone number or contact centre, as they are intended for general care enquiries and complaints.
We anticipate the assessment process will commence from 24 November 2025.
Successful candidates may be offered a post immediately, and we anticipate a start date prior to 26 March 2026 (based on specialism and location) or placed in our talent pool for future vacancies. Please visit how we recruit inspectors page for more information on our talent pool, additional information for registration and the process.
Inspector (Children and Young People) employer: Care Inspectorate
At the Care Inspectorate, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that empowers our inspectors to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people across Scotland. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, we ensure our employees are well-equipped to drive improvement in care services while enjoying a fulfilling career. Join us in our mission to uphold Scotland's Promise and help create a brighter future for those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Inspector (Children and Young People)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Care Inspectorate.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Care Inspectorate!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Care Inspectorate, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Care Inspectorate or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Inspector (Children and Young People)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Care Inspectorate:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Care Inspectorate! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Care Inspectorate
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
