At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with learning disabilities and collaborate with a dedicated team.
- Company: Scottish Borders Council, committed to diversity and community support.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible opportunities including permanent and temporary positions available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your social work skills.
- Qualifications: Professional social work qualification and registration with the SSSC required.
The predicted salary is between 32474 - 39690 £ per year.
Grade: 9A
Salary: £45,153.19 - £48,766.68 per annum
Hours: 35
Contract Duration: Permanent
Role Purpose
The Scottish Borders Learning Disability Service currently has two full-time Social Worker vacancies available:
- 1 x Permanent Social Worker
- 1 x Temporary Social Worker (6-month contract)
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 Edinburgh and surrounding areas. 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 Social Worker role sits within a busy and responsive learning disability service, providing a vital front-line function to individuals, carers and professionals. Working primarily 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.
Essential
- Professional social work qualification recognised by the SSSC eg. Degree in Social Work, DipSW, CQSW.
- Registration with Scottish Social Services Council.
- PVG scheme registered.
- 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.
Informal Enquiries
Informal enquiries may be made to Rebekah Underwood or Laura Douglas by telephone on 01896827280 or by email at rebekah.underwood@nhs.scot / laura.douglas11@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.
Employability Support – The Employability Service - For support on completing job applications, Scottish Borders residents can access free support from our specialist Employability Team. Please contact us via the switchboard 01835 824000 asking to be transferred to the Employability Service or email employability@scotborders.gov.uk.
You can also find more about the support we have to offer, by visiting our website for more information here.
Social Worker - Learning Disability Team - Council HQ - SBO10484 employer: Scottish Borders council
Earlston High School, part of the Scottish Borders Council, is an excellent employer that prioritises the professional development and well-being of its staff. With a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, teachers are encouraged to grow through continuous professional development opportunities while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners in a vibrant community. Located in the picturesque Scottish Borders, the school offers a unique environment where educators can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Worker - Learning Disability Team - Council HQ - SBO10484
✨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 - Learning Disability Team - Council HQ - SBO10484
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.
