Social Worker

Vacancy InformationCandidates will be assessed on the basis of appropriate relevant experience and qualifications and salary placed within the advertised scale. Hourly rate of pay: £21.99 - £24.50 Days and hours of work: Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00Days of work are negotiable, flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.To start asap. East Lothian Council is seeking a skilled and compassionate Social Worker to join our Adoption and Kinship Team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing and dynamic area of practice that supports children and families in line with The Promise (Independent Care Review, 2020). Over the past decade, East Lothian has seen a significant increase in kinship carers coming forward to care for children who are unable to live with their birth parents. We believe that children thrive best in family environments that promote identity, belonging, and stability. Kinship care is central to our vision of child and family-centred services, and we are committed to supporting carers throughout their journey, recognising the impact of trauma and the need for ongoing, tailored support. The successful candidate will also work within the Adoption Team, undertaking adoption assessments and providing post-adoption support. We offer a responsive and flexible service to adoptive families in our community, recognising that support needs can vary over time and may be required long after an adoption order is granted. Our approach is trauma-informed, relationship-based, and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families. We are looking for a practitioner who: Has a strong understanding of kinship and adoptive care, and the impact of early adversity and trauma. Can build meaningful relationships with children, families, and carers. Is confident in managing complex and competing demands and can think creatively to meet needs. Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people. East Lothian Children’s Services offers: A supportive and inclusive working environment Regular supervision and manageable caseloads Opportunities for professional development and service improvement An accessible senior management team committed to staff wellbeing and service excellence A full current driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential for this post. For an informal discussion about this vacancy or working within East Lothian Children’s Services, please contact the recruitment manager using the details below. Home / Hybrid Working ConsiderationApplications for home or hybrid working will be considered for this post in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview. Please Note:All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction, and be on site in East Lothian workplaces, as required. Employees with a hybrid working arrangement in place will be office based and able to work from home, with permission, on an ad hoc basis.Job DetailsTo 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 RequirementsEducation/QualificationsEssential: 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 LicenceFull 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 MembershipThis post is considered as a Regulated Role with vulnerable children and/or protected adults, as specified in the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020. 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: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.UK website.Additional InformationFor 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 recruitment@eastlothian.gov.uk 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. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.