Children and Families Practitioner - Resettlement Team - MID07590 in Dalkeith

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Children and Families Practitioner to join our Resettlement Team, supporting refugee and asylum-seeking adults, children, and families. You will share social work values and be committed to promoting inclusion, empowerment, and positive outcomes for people facing a range of challenges.

We are seeking someone who:

• Is empathetic, approachable, and passionate about supporting adults, children, and families.
• Thrives in a dynamic and changing environment and enjoys a challenge.
• Has an interest in working with migrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking communities.
• Has experience supporting individuals and families affected by mental health issues, poverty, trauma, social isolation, or other barriers.
• Can build positive relationships and work collaboratively with individuals, families, communities, and partner agencies.
• Uses strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches in their practice.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference, helping adults, children, and families settle into their new communities, overcome barriers, and build positive futures.

KNOWLEDGE:

Essential:

• Educated to HNC social care and SVQ Level 3 (children and young people) or equivalent within a relevant discipline.
• Experience of working with the national and local practice, policy, procedure and legislation relevant to the post. This includes an awareness of the SSSC Code of Practice, Human Rights legislation, United Nation Convention of the Rights of Child and getting it right for every child and The Promise.
• Evidence of ability to work effectively with children, their families and single adults.
• Knowledge and understanding of a range of systemic interventions and methodologies, such as attachment promoting, trauma-based interventions, child development and parenting capacity.
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of key agencies.
• Interest in resettlement work and working with marginalized groups.
• Empathy.
• Creativity.

Desirable:

• Experience of working with children and young people on the edge of care.
• Experience of delivering parenting programmes or other group work.
• Specialist experience of working with children and families in crisis or at risk.
• Experience of working with people affected by poverty.
• Behavioural Interview skills.
• Family mediation skills.
• Driving licence and access to car.
• If speaking any other language, willingness to work bilingually with families.

CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 8th July 2026

INTERVIEW DATE: Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st July 2026

Requirements:

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Protected 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 or protected adults. Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children and Protected 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.

For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk

Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

Additional Information:

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 recruitment@midlothian.gov.uk 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. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

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.