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- Tasks: Support vulnerable children and families, ensuring their well-being and positive outcomes.
- Company: East Lothian Children's Services, dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive pay, and strong support for work-life balance.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team committed to child welfare and impactful social work.
- Qualifications: Approved Social Work qualification and SSSC registration required.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 49000 £ per year.
Job Description
The salary advertised is full time (35 hours per week). Part-time hours will be pro-rated accordingly.
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Hourly rate of pay: £25.21 – £28.15
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Candidates will be assessed on the basis of appropriate relevant experience and qualifications and salary placed within the advertised scale.
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Temporary maternity cover until November 2026.
Days and Hours of Work:
Monday – Friday, 09:00-17:00
Days of working are negotiable, flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.
To start asap.
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East Lothian Children’s Services have an opportunity for a temporary Senior Practitioner Social Worker to join the Support and Intervention Team to. This is to cover maternity leave within the team until November 2026.
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The team consists of 3 team leaders, senior practitioners, social workers and administrative support. Our Support and Intervention Team is dedicated in supporting children and families to have better outcomes in life.
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Children’s Services is located in an open plan office with onsite parking. We promote an open, trusting and communicative culture at all levels.
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Applicants should have a sound value base, excellent communication and report writing skills and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Child Protection processes and making permanent plans for children, a knowledge about Children and Families social work legislation, roles and responsibilities. In East Lothian our social workers practice is focused on the Signs of Safety assessment framework with an emphasis on relationship-based interventions.
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East Lothian Children Services are absolutely committed to following 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 safe to do so. We have redesigned our services to ensure the right support is offered at the right time and are staff are involved in developing services and implementing improvement activity around this goal. East Lothian Children's Services are keen to recruit workers who are passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes for the children, young people and their families.  Â
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Our staff are our greatest asset and we want to support people to have a healthily work life balance. For this to be possible, we recognise that social workers need protected caseloads, effective supervision and support. We recognise the emotional impact of the role and benefit from access to a clinical psychologist who supports our staff with complex work and promotes staff resilience.
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Working in supportive teams you will have a varied and complex caseload which includes children who are looked after at and away from home and will strive to make permanent plans in a timely basis. You will undertake direct work with children and their families, working closely with our dedicated Family Support Work and Intensive Outreach Team.Â
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We are committed to promoting an open and trusting culture at all levels of the organisation and prioritise continuous professional development and learning. Our staff are our greatest asset, and we strive to be supportive, inclusive and child centred by prioritising effective supervision, manageable and protected caseloads and a healthy work life balance.
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We have an accessible senior management team who are committed to recruiting the best people to compliment the wide range of knowledge and experience throughout the service.
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Our dedication is evident through our recent Care Inspection which is available online.
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If you wish to discuss this vacancy, please contact the Team Leader: Kerryann Bell on 07929 837 269
Job Details
To provide and promote a high standard of practice within Children’s Services and in multi-agency settings, through the provision of a service to vulnerable children, young people and their families/carers, in accordance with statutory obligations, policies and procedures.
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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.
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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.
Desirable: Post qualifying award
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Please note: PVG member’s 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.
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Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith 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
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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.
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If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk
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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.
Senior Practitioner Social Worker (Children\'s Services) - EAL11740 employer: East Lothian Council
Contact Detail:
East Lothian Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Practitioner Social Worker (Children\'s Services) - EAL11740
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about opportunities at East Lothian Children’s Services. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on the Signs of Safety framework and Child Protection processes. We want to see that you’re not just qualified but also passionate about making a difference in children’s lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your communication skills! During interviews, be clear and concise when discussing your experiences. Remember, effective communication is key in social work, so let that shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at East Lothian Children’s Services.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Practitioner Social Worker (Children\'s Services) - EAL11740
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, make sure to read through the job description thoroughly. It’s important to understand what East Lothian Children’s Services is looking for in a Senior Practitioner Social Worker so you can tailor your application accordingly.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When filling out the application form, focus on showcasing your relevant experience and qualifications. Make sure to refer to the essential criteria in the Person Specification and provide examples that demonstrate your skills in child protection and relationship-based interventions.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. This will help ensure that your application is easy to read and understand, making it more likely to catch the attention of the hiring team.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the necessary information and resources to help you complete your application successfully.
How to prepare for a job interview at East Lothian Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in Child Protection processes and the Signs of Safety assessment framework. Brush up on relevant legislation and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the values and practices of East Lothian Children’s Services.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, express your genuine passion for supporting children and families. Share specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your commitment to achieving positive outcomes and how you’ve made a difference in similar roles.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions based on the 'East Lothian Way' values and behaviours. Think of scenarios where you’ve exemplified these values in your work, and be ready to articulate how you handle challenges and support your team.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, support structures, and professional development opportunities within East Lothian Children’s Services. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.