Justice Social Work Policy and Practice Lead

We are delighted to be recruiting for a Justice Social Work Policy and Practice Lead at a time of profound change for the profession. Justice social work sits at the heart of Scotland’s efforts to deliver safer communities and reduce reoffending through evidence based, person-centred practice. The coming years will see major developments, including the ongoing and phased implementation of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023, including the embedding of new duties on Justice Social Work, expansion of community-based disposals, and a renewed focus on trauma-informed approaches that support rehabilitation and reintegration.

Alongside reforms to sentencing policy, these changes present both opportunity and complexity—requiring leadership that champions the role of justice social work and drives innovation in policy and practice. The post has a key role in facilitating the engagement and leadership of our Justice Social Work Standing Committee members, Chief Social Work Officers and the Social Work Scotland Board. In partnership with colleagues in Social Work Scotland and as part of the Scottish Social Work Partnership, this post also offers a chance to join up interdependent but disconnected policy agendas, constructing a more coherent and enabling operational environment for justice social work.

As Social Work Scotland’s Justice Social Work Policy and Practice Lead you will provide operational social work insight and expertise across the diverse range of issues currently facing justice social work in Scotland. The Justice Social Work Policy and Practice Lead will be provided line management from the Head of Policy and Workforce. Supporting the Justice Standing Committee’s Chair, you will be a visible representative of the profession in national discussions about policy, funding and reform. You will link in directly with Social Work Scotland’s Board, local authority Chief Social Work Officers and key partners (such as the Scottish Government’s Justice Directorate and Office of the Chief Social Work Advisor) to inform, influence and deliver the national agenda. You will assist colleagues and Social Work Scotland members to realise our organisation’s core objectives.

To apply for this post, please submit a covering letter/email and a completed application form. Your covering letter should be between 800 and 1000 words and should set out why you want the job, summarise your relevant experience, and explain how you meet the job’s ‘Person Specification’. Please state in your application form if you do want us to contact references prior to interview. Secondments welcome.