Scenery lure in social work chief advert

A council has highlighted its area’s natural landscape in an advert seeking a new head of social work services. On its website, Highland said the region was one of the most sought after places to live.

Harriet Dempster will step down from the role at Highland Council in August after 11 years in the post.

Last year, there were warnings about financial strains on social work services and it is among departments helping the council make £59m in cuts.

The council said in its advert that there was a “high quality of life in an area of outstanding beauty”.

The director’s post comes with a salary of £105,450, a final salary pension scheme and a removal and relocation package.

Social work services has more than 1,600 full-time staff working in mental health and care services.

Last month, services provided for vulnerable children were praised by the HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIe).

Five of the six areas evaluated by inspectors were rated as very good and the remaining one as good.

Managers and staff were “strongly committed” to their work and making improvements, the HMIe said.

Last year, there was a row about the setting up of a temporary management post costing £25,000 to help ease “severe pressure” on a social work budget.

In the end, a council employer declined the offer of extra pay for taking up the six month post.