Social Worker (Children’s Services) – Throughcare & Aftercare – EAL09428 Part Time

Vacancy Information

The salary advertised is full time (35 hours per week). Part-time hours will be pro-rated accordingly.

East Lothian Council will place newly appointed Children’s Services social workers at point 3 of the Grade 9 salary scale (£36,972) and are happy to discuss a higher placement depending on experience.

Temporary until 31/10/2024
Days and hours of work:
4 days per week 09.00 – 17.00 (flexi time is applicable)
To start ASAP

This vacancy is a temporary post covering maternity leave until November 2024:  Social Worker in the Throughcare Aftercare Team.

East Lothian Children’s Services has an exciting opportunity for a social worker to join the TAC Team. The team consists of a team leader, 2 senior practitioners, 4 social workers, 5 family support workers, 1 aftercare health practitioner and has dedicated administrative support.

The TAC Team provides a range of support to previously looked after / looked after and accommodated young people in their transition to independent living across East Lothian. We are looking to recruit a social worker who has experience in providing a social work service to this group of  young people. This could include experience of working within the Child Protection Guidelines, as well as a working knowledge and experience of the relevant legislation, policies and procedures relevant to the children and families social work role.

The TAC Team in East Lothian provides a specialist and needs led service to young people with a range of complex issues including mental health problems, offending behaviour, isolation and limited life choices. Many struggle to build and maintain healthy relationships after many years within statutory services.  The young people have often experienced significant trauma and loss and face a range of challenges including homelessness, unemployment and poverty . The successful candidate should be committed to improving outcomes for young people and be motivated to go the distance to support young people to reach positive and sustainable destinations.

We are currently working with an increasing number of unaccompanied asylum seeking children. An area that our service is committed to delivering. Experience in this area of work would be beneficial to the role.    

A full current driving licence and use of a vehicle are essential for this post.     

Applicants should have a sound value base, excellent communication and report writing skills and a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of children and families social work role and responsibilities. 

East Lothian Children’s Services are keen to recruit workers who are passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes for children, young people and their families. We are committed to promoting an open and trusting culture at all levels of the organisation and prioritise continuous professional development and learning. Our staff are our greatest asset and we strive to be supportive, inclusive and child centred by prioritising effective supervision, manageable caseloads and a healthy work life balance. Our vision is to support children and young people to live and learn in East Lothian and our staff are involved in developing services and implementing improvement activity around this goal. We have an accessible, on site senior management team who are committed to recruiting the best people to compliment the wide range of knowledge and experience that exists throughout the service.

If you wish to discuss this job vacancy or working for Children’s Services in East Lothian Council, please feel free to contact the Team Leader on the details below:  Gerry Chapman 01875 824 369.

Job Details

To provide an effective service to service users and their families/carers, promoting a high standard of practice, in accordance with statutory obligations, policies and procedures.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under ‘Job Attachments’) for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every ‘essential’ criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The ‘East Lothian Way’– values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Education/Qualifications
Essential: Approved qualification in Social Work, and SSSC registration.
Those with international Social Work qualifications should not apply unless they are fully registered with the SSSC.

Driving Licence
Full current driving licence and access to a vehicle*
(*Where a disability precludes you from obtaining a driving licence, ELC will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability).

PVG/Disclosure Requirements
This post is considered as Regulated Work with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007.

All preferred candidates for posts carrying out regulated work with these groups will be required to become a PVG Scheme member, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if they are already a member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made by East Lothian Council.

Please note: PVG member’s records are constantly updated with any new vetting information that arises. Any information that is disclosed on a PVG membership or update check, if relevant to the post being applied for, will be discussed with the applicant and investigated prior to any formal offer being made.

Please Note:
In line with current guidance, any PVG costs associated with this role will be paid for by the Scottish Government. There will be no charge to the applicant.

Please note:
If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UKwebsite.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link: www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link https://www.myjobscotland.gov.uk/contact-us.

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call 01620 827868, or email us on [email protected]

Please note: We do not accept CV’s (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an ‘import data from my CV’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form.