At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in providing essential support to children and families.
- Company: Join Midlothian Council, dedicated to transforming children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and supportive leadership.
- Other info: Fixed-term role with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives and shape impactful services.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56391 - 56391 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated Duty Team Leader to join our Children’s Services social work team, leading with our core principles of relationships, prevention and recovery. This is a pivotal role at the front door of our service where, alongside the other Duty Team Leader, you will provide leadership, oversight and direction to a busy duty team ensuring children and families receive timely, effective and compassionate support.
Located within our Dalkeith Children’s Services office, the team consists of 7 social workers, 2 children’s practitioners and 2 team leaders, working closely with colleagues across the service and partner agencies to deliver support across Midlothian.
About the role
- Lead and support a team of social workers and children’s practitioners in a fast-paced duty environment
- Oversee decision-making, ensuring timely, proportionate responses that promote early help and prevention
- Drive high-quality practice that focuses on building strengths-based relationships with children, families and partners
- Ensure risks are identified and managed effectively, supporting positive outcomes and recovery where needed
- Provide reflective supervision, alongside support and guidance, to promote good practice and develop a skilled, sustainable workforce
- Work collaboratively with partners to deliver joined-up, child-centred services
About you
- We are seeking a confident and experienced leader who has substantial experience within Children’s Services, including child protection and assessment
- Demonstrates strong leadership skills and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure
- Is committed to relationship-based practice and improving outcomes for children and families
- Understands the importance of early help, prevention, and recovery-focused approaches
- Can inspire, support, and challenge a team to deliver high standards of practice
What we offer
- A supportive leadership team with opportunities for group supervision and reflection
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
- A service that is committed to getting it right for children and families through recovery, prevention, and relationships
- Competitive salary, with appointment at a point commensurate with experience
This is an exciting opportunity to influence front-line practice and make a real difference at the first point of contact. You will play a key role in shaping how we respond to families, ensuring that every interaction is purposeful, supportive and focused on long-term positive change.
Requirements
- Extensive technical and specialist knowledge is required and underpinned by both breadth and depth of knowledge likely to be gained by the acquisition of formal qualifications such as a degree.
- A considerable period of relevant working experience will be needed to perform competently and jobholders may contribute to internal working parties considering the operational implications of external change.
- The jobholder must hold a Diploma or Degree in an appropriate social work discipline that is recognised by the SSSC with substantial experience in family placement and/or children and families social work.
- The job holder must have or be working towards a management qualification within a three year period.
- To deliver the remit of this post also requires the jobholder to keep abreast of current developments in the fields of Children & Families along with current and future legislation changes that impact on the service.
- S/he will have experience of working within a multi-agency environment and an in-depth knowledge of working with children’s establishments in addition to experience of managing a professional staff team and/or managing/leading on a project.
- Previous management experience with budget responsibility and excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to the role.
This post is considered Regulated Work with Protected Adults and Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with protected adults and children. Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Protected Adults and Children.
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.
Team Leader - Children's Services - MID07575 in Kilmarnock employer: Midlothian Council
Midlothian Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises professional development and career progression for its employees. As a Duty Team Leader in Children's Services, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in Midlothian, with access to reflective supervision and a collaborative culture that fosters high-quality practice and positive outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader - Children's Services - MID07575 in Kilmarnock
✨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 Midlothian 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 Midlothian 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 Midlothian 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 Midlothian 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 Team Leader - Children's Services - MID07575 in Kilmarnock
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 Midlothian Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Midlothian 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 Midlothian 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.
