Support Officer - Early Intervention and Access Team, Almondbank House, Perth - PKC14070 in Brechin

Support Officer - Early Intervention and Access Team, Almondbank House, Perth - PKC14070 in Brechin

Brechin Full-Time 32243 - 39408 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Perth and Kinross Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children and families by providing essential administrative and coordination support.
  • Company: Join Perth & Kinross Council, a people-focused organisation making a real difference.
  • Benefits: Generous leave, flexible working, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
  • Why this job: Be part of a compassionate team that champions rights-based practices and positive change.
  • Qualifications: Experience in administration within children's services and strong IT skills required.

The predicted salary is between 32243 - 39408 £ per year.

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch. We currently have the following opportunity: Support Officer - PKC14070. Shape lives, build futures—join the Children, Families and Justice Service at Perth and Kinross Council. Guided by the values of compassion, integrity, and ambition, our teams make a real difference every day. Whether you're supporting children, families, or adults, you'll be part of a service that puts people first, champions rights-based and person-centred practice, and values relationship-based approaches to change lives. We offer a collaborative, inclusive environment where your voice matters, your wellbeing is supported, and your professional growth is nurtured. Be part of a council that recognises the life-changing impact of a service that invests in early intervention, innovation, and frontline excellence.

We are seeking an enthusiastic practitioner to join the Early Intervention and Access Team. This is a pivotal role providing high quality operational, administrative, and coordination support to the team, enabling the effective delivery of services to children, young people, and families. The role supports social work practitioners by managing systems, information, performance data, and service processes to ensure timely interventions, statutory compliance, and positive outcomes for children and families. The role goes beyond routine administration and requires a high level of independence, judgement and initiative.

Key Responsibilities

  • Collate, analyse, and present statistical and performance information relating to children’s social work activity, including referral volumes, response times, and statutory performance indicators.
  • Assist Team Leader and Managers in monitoring service performance against statutory requirements and internal targets.
  • Contribute to service reviews, inspections, audits, and improvement planning by providing accurate and timely performance data.
  • Support the preparation of information required for partner agencies, inspections, complaints, and other information requests.
  • Review working methods and administrative processes to ensure efficiency, consistency, and compliance.
  • Propose and implement improvements to systems and procedures where required.
  • Ensure administrative processes support statutory timescales and service priorities.
  • Demonstrate flexibility in managing competing priorities within a high demand social work environment.
  • Uphold the Council’s values, Employee Charter, Customer Care Standards, and Code of Conduct.

The post holder may be required to perform duties other than those given in the job description for the post. The particular duties and responsibilities attached to posts may vary from time to time depending on the requirements of the Service without changing the general character of the duties or the level of responsibilities entailed.

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

  • Experience in an administrative, coordination, or support role within children’s services, social work, education, or a related public sector environment.
  • Strong ICT skills, including Microsoft Office and database systems.
  • Experience of compiling and analysing statistical and performance information.
  • Excellent organisational, communication, and prioritisation skills.
  • Ability to work independently, manage sensitive information, and exercise sound judgement.
  • Ensure all administrative practice complies with legislation, including Data Protection, Information Governance, Health and Safety, and Equality duties.
  • Apply strict confidentiality, discretion, and professional judgement when handling sensitive social work information.
  • Maintain awareness of current legislation, policy, and guidance relevant to children’s social work and early intervention services, sharing relevant updates with the team.
  • Promote a professional, customer focused approach always.

Desirable

  • Experience supporting statutory children’s social work teams (e.g. referrals, child protection, looked after children).
  • Supervisory experience.
  • SVQ Level 3 in social care or HNC in Business Administration or equivalent qualification.

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours.

Here's what we can offer you:

  • A generous annual leave package, 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day.
  • Eligibility to join our pension scheme.
  • Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework.
  • Flexi time.
  • Access to a range of benefits.
  • Paid SSSC annual membership for relevant positions.

A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development. All new employees have a four-month probationary period.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Debbie Reilly-Davidson, Operational Manager to find out more. External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses. One of these must be your current or most recent employer. We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regarded as a regulated role and under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.

Support Officer - Early Intervention and Access Team, Almondbank House, Perth - PKC14070 in Brechin employer: Perth and Kinross Council

As a leading employer in the social work sector, we offer a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional development. Located in the heart of Perth, our Early Intervention & Prevention Service provides unique opportunities for growth and advancement, allowing you to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.

Perth and Kinross Council

Contact Details:

Perth and Kinross Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Support Officer - Early Intervention and Access Team, Almondbank House, Perth - PKC14070 in Brechin

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 Perth and Kinross 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 Perth and Kinross 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 Perth and Kinross 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 Perth and Kinross 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 Support Officer - Early Intervention and Access Team, Almondbank House, Perth - PKC14070 in Brechin

Administrative Skills
Coordination Skills
Statistical Analysis
Performance Monitoring
Strong ICT Skills
Microsoft Office
Database Management

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 Perth and Kinross Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Perth and Kinross 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 Perth and Kinross 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.