Senior Children’s Service Practitioner - MID07573 in Dalkeith

Imagine you could change someone’s life. Being a Senior Children’s Services Practitioner within our service you could do just that. Midlothian Residential Services have an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join our team. In this role you will assist the Residential Manager to continue to shape our service by supporting and developing our staff team to ensure improved outcomes for all our young people. At our last inspection we achieved a Very Good grading, and you will be joining an ambitious, creative, forward-thinking team who go above and beyond to ensure our children and young people, both past and present achieve the best possible care and support.

Main responsibilities

We pride ourselves on our inspection results and our commitment to be sector leading. As such, we are looking for the highest calibre Senior Children’s Services Practitioner who has the skills and personal qualities to lead others and holds a true passion for helping children and young people. Reporting to the management team you will lead participation in the provision of a nurturing environment across our service conducive with The Promise made to our care experienced Young People. You will model relationship-based and trauma informed practices and be expected to coach and develop the staff team in accordance with their theoretical approaches. You will also be expected to work in collaboration with professional colleagues, to design, implement, review and analyse care plans. We need you to be an effective leader and be able to influence change at an operational level. You will be expected to provide direct line management to our Children Services Practitioners in line with Midlothian Council People Policies. You will undertake daily tasks to ensure that the service operates within budget and delivers evidence-based interventions.

As a Senior Children’s Services Practitioner, you will mentor, empower, support and coach our Children’s Services Practitioners and draw upon your experience to manage any challenges that may arise. If you enjoy problem solving, have an in depth understanding of child development and trauma informed practice and have confidence in your ability to make a difference to a child or young person’s life, then please apply to join us. The role offers a great work-life balance with our shift working pattern. We really want a committed, like-minded, and passionate person who genuinely wants to make a difference.

KNOWLEDGE

You shall be qualified to a minimum of Degree/SVQ 4 level in a relevant discipline ie Health, Education or Social Care. You will also be registered with the SSSC. You will have sound knowledge in relation to working with children and young people particularly within a residential setting and in the use or using a relationship approach and attachment promoting, trauma based practice. You should have a knowledge and understanding of working with children and young people with a diagnosed learning disability. In addition you should have or be willing to undertake a management qualification. Travelling is integral to this role and you will be required to travel across Midlothian either using public transport, or the house lease car as required. The jobholder will undertake training specified within the Houses Learning and Development Plan in relation to administering medication.

CLOSING DATE - Thursday 2nd July 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - Thursday 9th and Friday 10th July 2026

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 or 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 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.