Children’s Services Practitioner - MID07485

Imagine you could change someone’s life. Being a Practitioner within our service you could do just that. Midlothian Residential Services have an exciting opportunity for a Children’s Services Practitioner to join our team. Your skills, values and experience can truly transform our children’s lives. We provide safe, warm and nurturing homes for children with complex emotional, behavioural and attachment needs to live in. We are looking for individuals who can provide the warm and nurturing care our young people require to help them meet their potential and live happy lives. Recently achieving a Very Good grading in our inspection, you will be joining an ambitious, creative, forward-thinking team who go above and beyond to ensure our children, both past and present, achieve the best possible care and support.

Ideal candidate

• You will already have achieved an HNC in social care and SVQ Level 3 (children and young people), or equivalent, with a relevant discipline.
• You will have direct experience of working with children and their families, as well as having a depth of knowledge in approaches such as Trauma Informed Practice, Relational Based Practice, Child Development and Attachment.
• You will be familiar with the SSSC Code of Practice, Human Rights legislation, United Nation Convention of the Rights of Child, getting it right for every child and the Promise.
• Experience of working within a Young Person’s Residential Setting is desirable as is specialist experience of working with children and young people in crisis or at risk; this may include children at risk of harm, looked after children, children affected by disability, care experienced young people and young people who offend.

KNOWLEDGE

• You must be educated to a minimum of HNC in Health and Social care and SVQ Level 3 (children and young people) or equivalent with a relevant discipline for registration with the SSSC.
• You must have previous experience of working with young people in a residential setting and a commitment to continued professional development.
• You will have a sound knowledge base in relation to working with children and young people, and in using a relationship-based trauma informed approach which promotes positive attachments.

Travelling is integral to this role and you will be required to travel across Midlothian either using public transport, or your own car if appropriate, as required. The jobholder will undertake training specified within the Service training & staff development plan in relation to the administration of medication.

Requirements

• This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and adults.
• Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children and Adults. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you.

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email to discuss with a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.