At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a passionate team to improve outcomes for children and young people.
- Company: Join Midlothian Residential Services, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, great work-life balance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across Midlothian and a commitment to personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working in a nurturing environment.
- Qualifications: Degree/SVQ 4 in Health, Education or Social Care; experience with children in residential settings.
The predicted salary is between 44989 - 44989 £ per year.
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 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.
Senior Children's Service Practitioner - MID07573 in Woodburn employer: Midlothian Council
Midlothian Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to training opportunities and the chance to work alongside a dedicated team that values creativity and innovation. Located in Dalkeith, this role provides a great work-life balance with flexible shift patterns, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful outcomes for our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Children's Service Practitioner - MID07573 in Woodburn
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Children's Service Practitioner - MID07573 in Woodburn
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.
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✨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.
