At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities and manage a varied, fast-paced workload.
- Company: Join the Scottish Borders Council's integrated Social Work and Health team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic team with strong values and commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Professional Social Work qualification and willingness to become a Council Officer.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 41000 £ per year.
Grade: 9A
Hourly Rate: £24.74 - £26.72
Salary: £45153.19 - £48766.68 per annum
Hours: 35 per week
Interview Date will be 16th July 2026
Role Purpose
This is an excellent opportunity to work within the integrated Social Work and Health Scottish Borders Learning Disability Service (LDS). The service is based in Newtown St Boswells and is within easy commuting distance from the south side of Edinburgh. It provides support across the whole of the Scottish Borders area.
This post offers dynamic, day-to-day multi-disciplinary working within a well-established and highly respected team. Practitioners from all professions are strongly committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for adults with learning disabilities, as well as their informal and formal carers.
The Duty Social Worker role sits within a busy and responsive learning disability service, providing a vital front-line function to individuals, carers and professionals. Working as part of the duty system, you will manage a varied and often fast-paced workload, responding to new referrals, prioritising need and ensuring timely and proportionate responses. This includes supporting individuals with a wide range of needs, communication styles and levels of risk, requiring a high level of professional curiosity, adaptability and person-centred practice.
You will work closely with colleagues across health and social care to coordinate immediate supports, manage risk and ensure continuity of care, while maintaining a strong focus on rights, inclusion and positive outcomes.
The service places a strong emphasis on Continuing Professional Development and delivers two team development days each year, coordinated and led by a multi-disciplinary staff CPD group. Peer supervision is actively encouraged, alongside a clear and consistent commitment to regular, high-quality management supervision.
If you are successful in securing this post, you will be part of a supportive and friendly team of health and social work professionals who share strong values and a person-centred focus. You will have the opportunity to learn from colleagues across disciplines with specialist expertise, while further developing your own skills and knowledge across a wide range of both challenging and highly rewarding situations.
Whilst this post is advertised as a Duty Social Worker role, the successful applicant will also be expected to undertake a broader range of duties commensurate with a qualified Social Worker, including assessment, care management and What Matters conversations, as well as responding to referrals, prioritising incoming work, and managing urgent or crisis situations. This includes risk assessment, arranging immediate supports and liaising with partner agencies. There is also an expectation that the post holder will play an active role within the Adult Protection Framework by being, or working towards becoming, an accredited Council Officer once in post.
Essential
- Professional Social Work qualification
- Council Officer Accreditation or ability and willingness to become accredited when in post
- Registration with SSSC
- A current driving licence and use of a vehicle is an essential requirement of this post. If you have a disability which precludes you from holding a drivers licence, Scottish Borders Council will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability. Should it be possible to make such an adjustment in order that you can undertake the travel responsibilities of the post, this will be taken into account in consideration for this role.
Informal Enquiries
Informal enquiries may be made to Rebekah Underwood + Laura Douglas by telephone on 01896827280 or by email at rebekah.underwood@nhs.scot
Scottish Borders Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. In particular from candidates who assess themselves as having a disability, under the Disability Confident Employer scheme this guarantees an interview to those individuals who meet the essential criteria of the post. All appointments will be made on merit.
Scottish Borders Council is committed to providing support for Armed Forces Veterans. Showing its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, the Council guarantees an interview to veterans who meet the essential criteria of the post. All appointments will be made on merit.
Social Worker (Duty) - Council HQ - SBO10114 in Melrose employer: Scottish Borders Council
Scottish Borders Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Social Workers in the heart of Newtown St Boswells. With a strong commitment to professional development, including regular team training and peer supervision, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals with learning disabilities. The Council's dedication to diversity and inclusion ensures that all voices are heard, creating a workplace that values every member of the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker (Duty) - Council HQ - SBO10114 in Melrose
✨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 Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders 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 Social Worker (Duty) - Council HQ - SBO10114 in Melrose
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 Scottish Borders Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Scottish Borders 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 Scottish Borders 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.
