At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families through assessments and direct interventions.
- Company: East Lothian Council, dedicated to child welfare and community support.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available; strong focus on staff wellbeing and resilience.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive team.
- Qualifications: Approved Social Work qualification and SSSC registration required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Vacancy Information
Candidates will be assessed on the basis of appropriate relevant experience and qualifications and salary placed within the advertised scale.
Hourly rate of pay: £27.76 - £25.36
Days and hours of work: Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00. Starting and finishing times are flexible, and flexi time is applicable. To start asap.
East Lothian Children’s Services have an exciting opportunity for a social worker to join their Intake and Assessment Team, which consists of 2 team leaders, senior practitioners, social workers, family support workers and administrative support. This team is the single point of entry for all referrals to children’s services in East Lothian.
We are committed to keeping The Promise and keeping children, young people and their families’ voices at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is to support children and young people to live with their families when it is safe to do so. We aim to ensure that the right support is offered at the right time and our staff are involved in developing services and implementing improvement activity around this goal.
We have an accessible senior management team who are committed to recruiting the best people to complement the wide range of knowledge and experience that exists throughout the service and are committed to promoting an open and trusting culture at all levels of the organisation with ongoing opportunities for continuous professional development and learning.
We recognise our staff are our greatest asset, and strive to be supportive, inclusive and child centred by prioritising effective supervision, manageable caseloads and a healthy work life balance.
Applicants should have a sound value base, excellent communication, report writing skills and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Child Protection processes and relevant legislation. In East Lothian, our social workers' practice is focused on Signs of Safety Assessment framework with an emphasis on relationship-based interventions.
Working as part of a dynamic team in a fast-paced and varied environment, you will undertake child protection and child-in-need assessments and undertake direct, time-limited work with children/young people and their families. You will contribute to the work of the team on a duty-rota and carry an allocated short-term caseload of children and young people.
We benefit from access to a clinical psychologist who supports our staff with complex work. We recognise the emotional impact of the role and strive to promote staff resilience.
If you wish to discuss this job vacancy, please feel free to contact the recruitment manager on the details below:
Robert Marshall: 01620 827604 / Dawn Cameron: 01875 824309
Home / Hybrid Working Consideration
Applications for home or hybrid working will be considered for this post in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview.
Please Note: All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction, and be on site in East Lothian workplaces, as required. Employees with a hybrid working arrangement in place will be office based and able to work from home, with permission, on an ad hoc basis.
Job Details
To provide an effective service to vulnerable children, young people and their families/carers, promoting a high standard of practice, in accordance with statutory obligations, policies and procedures.
Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under 'Job Attachments') for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every 'essential' criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.
The ‘East Lothian Way’ – values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.
Job Requirements
Education/Qualifications
- Essential: Approved qualification in Social Work, and SSSC registration. Those with international Social Work qualifications should not apply unless they are fully registered with the SSSC.
Driving Licence
- Full current driving licence and access to a vehicle. (*Where a disability precludes you from obtaining a driving licence, ELC will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability).
PVG Membership
This post is considered as a Regulated Role with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.
Please note: PVG members’ records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.
Please note: If you have spent more than 3 months working or living out with the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Additional Information
For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo
If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.
If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk.
Please note: We do not accept CV's (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.
Social Worker (Children's Services) - 2 Positions Available - Intake & Assessment Team - EAL12901 in Haddington employer: East Lothian Council
At Whitecraig Primary School, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and nurturing work environment for our Early Years Support Workers. With a focus on professional development and a commitment to high-quality early years care, our new nursery space offers an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children aged 2-5. Join us in a role that not only values your contributions but also encourages growth and collaboration within a vibrant school community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Children's Services) - 2 Positions Available - Intake & Assessment Team - EAL12901 in Haddington
✨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 East Lothian Council.
✨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 East Lothian Council!
✨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 East Lothian Council, 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 East Lothian Council 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 Social Worker (Children's Services) - 2 Positions Available - Intake & Assessment Team - EAL12901 in Haddington
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 East Lothian Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to East Lothian Council! 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 East Lothian Council
✨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.
