At a Glance
- Tasks: Make impactful decisions for Scotland’s children and manage challenging cases with compassion.
- Company: SCRA, dedicated to protecting children's rights in a supportive environment.
- Benefits: Comprehensive training, professional development, and a focus on your wellbeing.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and making a difference.
- Why this job: Shape a positive future for children while growing your career in a meaningful way.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work, law, or relevant field with two years' experience.
The predicted salary is between 51986 - 59627 £ per year.
Based in Aberdeen with locality wide cover across Grampian and Northern Isles. 2 Posts: Post 1 – Permanent, Post 2 – Fixed Term to 31 March 2027. Full Time, 35 hours per week, £51,986 – £59,627. Ref: EST1393/26.
At SCRA, our Mission is to protect and uphold the rights of Scotland’s children and young people, making decisions in a compassionate, inclusive and trauma informed way. We are seeking candidates who share, and can demonstrate, our Values of being Supportive, Child Centred, Respectful and Accountable.
Working at the heart of Scotland’s unique care, protection and justice system for children, as a Children’s Reporter, your primary purpose will be to decide whether a child should be referred to a children’s Hearing for consideration of compulsory measures of supervision and to conduct court proceedings to establish facts. You will manage the competing demands of a challenging case load. Utilising effective communication skills, you will investigate and respond to referrals from partner agencies such as social work and the police or from members of the public. Based on investigations tailored to the needs of a child, you will make informed decisions regarding the need to refer a child to a children’s Hearing. You will support fair process within children’s Hearings and prepare and conduct court proceedings. With comprehensive training and support, you will present evidence in court to establish facts, or to promote a Hearing’s decision where that decision is supportable.
Qualified to degree level or equivalent in social work, law or another relevant discipline, you will bring at least two years’ experience in a similar fast-paced environment. You will bring experience of analysing and assimilating information to make evidence-based decisions, along with the ability to use digital technology to deliver a service. Personal resilience and an ability to work at pace are essential.
We are committed to your growth and wellbeing. You will receive comprehensive learning and development within a supportive working environment. If you share our Values, this is an exciting opportunity to shape a positive future for children and young people in Scotland.
You are required to undertake, and successfully complete, a mandatory accredited training programme which will lead to the award of the recognised Professional Development Award for Children’s Reporter Practice within two years of appointment to this post. The requirement to successfully complete the Award within these timescales includes if you move into another related role before completion, e.g. if you are recruited into a promoted post of Senior Practitioner or Locality Reporter Manager.
All SCRA posts are subject to a probation period of 6 months, or the term of the contract if shorter. All posts are subject to PVG clearance by Disclosure Scotland. It is normal practice to appoint at the minimum point of the salary scale.
Closing date: Wednesday 12 August 2026.
How to apply: When completing section D of your application form, please explain how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria laid out on page 1 of the Person Specification. You may choose to label each of these criteria and prepare a short paragraph for each. Thereafter, please do the same for each of the 4 Values listed on page 2 of the Person Specification, e.g. briefly describe how you demonstrate the Value of being ‘Child Centred’. Please note you are not required to list evidence for each of the essential criteria indicators listed as bullets under the Values.
The selection process will include an interview in which the panel and candidate will attend either physically, virtually or a combination of both – ensuring accessibility for all. If you require any adjustments or specific arrangements to support your application or participation in the selection process, we encourage you to contact our HR team.
At SCRA we are proud to be a socially inclusive employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds – regardless of sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, age, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability and other factors such as care experience or socio-economic background. We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our work and help us better serve Scotland’s children and young people with compassion and integrity.
Children’s Reporter in Stirling employer: Scottish Children's Reporter Administration
At Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the welfare of Scotland's children and young people. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, offering employees opportunities for development through training and a commitment to work-life balance. With flexible office locations and a mission-driven environment, joining our team means contributing to meaningful change while enjoying a fulfilling career.
Contact Details:
Scottish Children's Reporter Administration Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Reporter in Stirling
✨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 Children's Reporter Administration.
✨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 Children's Reporter Administration!
✨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 Children's Reporter Administration, 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 Children's Reporter Administration 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 Children’s Reporter in Stirling
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 Children's Reporter Administration:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Scottish Children's Reporter Administration! 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 Children's Reporter Administration
✨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.
