Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide policy support and professional advice in child protection and social work.
- Company: Join The Scottish Government, dedicated to improving lives across Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options and a supportive, inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's rights and social work practices.
- Qualifications: Must be a qualified social worker with significant experience in child protection.
- Other info: This is a fixed-term role with opportunities for secondment.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Professional Social Work Advisor role at The Scottish Government
3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
Join to apply for the Professional Social Work Advisor role at The Scottish Government
The Scottish Government provided pay range
This range is provided by The Scottish Government. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
Job Description
This is Fixed Term Appointment opportunity for 23 months with the option for Secondment if preferred.
Are you a qualified and registered social worker with significant experience in public protection and children and families social work?
We are inviting applications for a professional adviser role to provide policy support and professional advice to the Scottish Government Child Protection, Bairns’ Hoose and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking (UAS) Children Care and Accommodation Development Units. We are looking for an individual who can identify key issues and liaise with stakeholders to articulate solutions that are workable, and in keeping with social work values and principles.
The three Units drive delivery of work on a number of high profile and politically sensitive child protection policy areas, working in a fast-paced environment with a high degree of Ministerial and stakeholder engagement. You will provide social work input and advice across the unit’s work, and collaborate with policy and professional leads to identify linkages, risks and opportunities across policy developments including The Promise, Age of Criminal Responsibility, Joint Investigative Interviewing and UNCRC.
Applicants should have experience of policy development and implementation and be confident operating at a national level. We are looking for an individual who can identify key issues and liaise with stakeholders to articulate solutions that are workable, and in keeping with social work values and principles.
Responsibilities
- Provide social work input and advice across the work of the three units, liaising with sources of advice and expertise. In doing so, bring a consistent practice focus on children’s rights, equalities and family support.
- Play a key role in the development on the national Inter-agency Referral Discussion training team, in partnership with other professional advisers and key partners.
- Support implementation and monitoring of adaptations to local practice and procedures in line with new national child protection guidance and related continuous improvement workstreams.
- Be a core member of the Bairns’ Hoose Pathfinder Project Team and support programme delivery as required.
- Continue to inform the Scottish Government’s response to the growing pressures on local authorities as a result of the requirement to care for UAS children.
- Contribute to the drafting of national guidance, reports and responses to issues raised by Ministers, stakeholders and the public.
- Support the work of the Chief Social Work Adviser and play an active role in the Directorate’s professional adviser team, inputting as required to policy work on the establishment of the National Social Work Agency.
- Collaborate with Social Work Scotland’s Director, Children and Families Lead, Committees and networks to inform and influence policy and practice developments.
Role Criteria
Qualifications
You must be a qualified social worker registered with the SSSC or equivalent body.
Success Profile
Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.
Technical/Professional Skills
- Policy Context and Purpose – Level 2
- Policy Delivery and Systems – Level 2
For more information on these see here: Policy Profession standards.
Qualifications And Experience
Significant experience of working at a senior level in children and families social work, with operational experience in child protection.
Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing – Level 4
- Working Together – Level 4
- Making Effective Decisions – Level 4
- Changing and Improving – Level 4
See: Behaviour levels – Success profiles: candidate guide – gov.scot for more information on meeting these criteria.
How To Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 22nd September however this may be subject to change.
About Us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week. We offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time, either in an office or other agreed work location. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Location
The post is based in Edinburgh with hybrid working in line with Scottish Government policies and guidance. Some attendance in Scottish Government buildings will be required with meetings taking place in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
There is, however, considerable flexibility in working arrangements to suit personal circumstances and preferences. Some travel within Scotland will be necessary due to the wide range of stakeholders with an interest in these practice areas.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Membership
This position is a regulated role which requires the successful candidate to hold an active membership with the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
You can find out more about the PVG scheme and checks associated with membership in our Candidate Guide.
If you have any questions about this please contact our recruitment team.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
For further information about the role please contact Lindsay MacDougall, Head of Child Protection – or Angela Latta, Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser –
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Other
-
Industries
Government Administration
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at The Scottish Government by 2x
Get notified about new Career Advisor jobs in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom .
Bothwell, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Principal / Associate / Associate Director – Appraisal and Assessment
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Clydebank, Scotland, United Kingdom 6 hours ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Associate or Associate Director, EIA – Rail and Road (North East , North West and Scotland)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 6 days ago
Associate or Associate Director, EIA – Rail and Road (North East , North West and Scotland)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Associate or Associate Director, EIA – Onshore Renewables (UK Wide)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Associate or Associate Director, EIA – Onshore Renewables (UK Wide)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Glasgow City, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 days ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Associate or Associate Director, EIA – Transmission & Distribution (Scotland)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Associate or Associate Director, EIA – Nuclear (UK Wide)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 7 hours ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Associate or Associate Director, EIA – Transmission & Distribution (Scotland)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Associate or Associate Director, EIA – Nuclear (UK Wide)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Technical Director, EIA – Transmission & Distribution (Scotland)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Technical Director, EIA – Transmission & Distribution (Scotland)
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Business Development Associate – Abu Dhabi Based
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Business Development Associate – Dubai Based
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 day ago
Hamilton, Scotland, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 months ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 1 week ago
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom 4 months ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Professional Social Work Adviser employer: THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Detail:
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Professional Social Work Adviser
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the social work field, especially those who have experience with the Scottish Government. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn about current issues in child protection and policy development.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with recent policies and initiatives related to child protection in Scotland, such as The Promise and the Age of Criminal Responsibility. Being well-versed in these topics will help you engage in meaningful discussions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in liaising with stakeholders and how you've successfully navigated complex policy environments. Highlight specific examples where you've influenced policy or improved practice in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your commitment to children's rights and equalities in your conversations. Be ready to articulate how your values align with the principles of the Scottish Government and how you can contribute to their mission in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Professional Social Work Adviser
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the Professional Social Work Adviser position. Make sure you understand the responsibilities and qualifications required, as this will help you tailor your application effectively.
Craft a Strong Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement should be no more than 1000 words and must clearly demonstrate how your skills, experience, and behaviours align with the Success Profile outlined in the job description. Use specific examples from your past work to illustrate your points.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your significant experience in public protection and children and families social work. Be sure to mention any policy development and implementation experience, as well as your ability to operate at a national level.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and supporting statement for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be prepared to discuss your significant experience in public protection and children and families social work. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully navigated complex situations or contributed to policy development.
✨Understand the Policy Context
Familiarise yourself with current child protection policies and frameworks relevant to the Scottish Government. Being able to articulate how these policies impact practice will demonstrate your readiness for the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss how you would liaise with various stakeholders, including local authorities and community organisations. Show that you can communicate effectively and build relationships to drive policy implementation.
✨Emphasise Your Values
The role requires a strong alignment with social work values and principles. Be ready to discuss how your personal values align with those of the Scottish Government, particularly regarding children's rights and equalities.
