National Social Work Adviser: Professional Social Work Adviser for Mental Health

Job Description
Do you want an exciting opportunity to join the new National Social Work Agency (NSWA) as Professional Social Work Adviser for Mental Health social work, with a key role in shaping the development of the Agency and have a lasting influence on the future of the social work profession in Scotland?

We are seeking an highly experienced social worker to lead on all aspects of mental health social work, working closely with policy teams across the Scottish Government to ensure that national policy is informed by professional advice and experience. They will be prepared to challenge both national and local approaches to policy development and implementation. They will uphold a collective commitment to improve outcomes for people guided by person-led principles and underpinned by social justice and human rights.

They will support the National Chief Social Work Adviser and Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser ensuring the provision of professionally informed advice across government policy with a specific focus on mental health social work and the role of Mental Health Officers. They will work alongside Professional Social Work Advisers for children's, adults and justice services and also be a member of the senior leadership team of the NSWA. They will also work closely and with the Mental Health delivery unit within the Scottish Government with a focus on improvement and engagement with the sector.

They will provide strategic and organisational leadership to the NSWA, as a new executive agency, whilst also providing advice to Scottish Ministers on all matters relating to mental health social work. They will help shape national government policy across adult social work, impacting the delivery of social work services, respond to emerging challenges, and ensure that social work practice across Scotland are informed, consistent, and achieve the highest standards. They will have a strong voice within the Scottish Government, be a champion for the cross-cutting nature of social work, work and influence the many policy areas which impact specifically on mental health and adult social work which rely on the profession to deliver improved outcomes for the people of Scotland.

Collaboration with social work sector partners is vital, with local government, local leaders and social work employers. The Scottish Social Work Partnership has been formed; an alliance, between NSWA, COSLA and Social Work Scotland, with involvement with sector partners. As a principal partner in the partnership, you will help drive forward the joint vision for a skilled, supported and sustainable workforce – one that is equipped to meet the needs of Scotland's people now and in the future.

Responsibilities

• Provide well-informed, high quality and timely professional advice to Scottish Ministers and Government officials on statutory responsibilities as they relate to mental health social work and social care practice, regardless of setting.
• Ensure social work has a strong voice within Scottish Government, advocating for the profession in national policy development and collaborating across government to ensure policy aligns with front line practice and implementation.
• Become a key member of the NSWA's senior management team for the Agency, ensuring the Agency delivers its core objectives/functions and recognised as the source of mental health social work advice and guidance across national government.
• Promote professional leadership for the profession, working closely with partners to advance professional accountability, and drive service improvement across the sector.
• Contribute to national policy development across the Scottish Government, advising on the implications of new legislation and government initiatives for the social work profession, working collaboratively to find practical, consensus-driven solutions that improve outcomes.
• Challenge conventional approaches to delivery of social work services within and beyond Scottish Government to support improvement and transformation in the sector, including recognising the financial implications of introducing new practices involving budgetary expenditure.
• Promote the vital role of social work in protecting vulnerable individuals and groups, raising standards, and developing a confident, competent, and valued workforce focused on service user needs.
• Lead national policy forums and represent the NSWA and Scottish Ministers as required, fostering strong, collaborative relationships with key partners to enhance the effectiveness of the NSWA, the profession, and social work services across Scotland.
• Promote the raising of standards and the development of a confident, competent and valued social work workforce focussed on the needs of the service user including contributing to the embedding of effective professional governance at a local level.

Qualifications
It is essential that you are a registered social worker 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.

Experience

• Extensive experience and significant achievement in social work and Service Management at Service/Senior Manager/Head of Services or equivalent in adult's social work.
• Current knowledge of mental health social work services, strengths and challenges and awareness of emerging themes.
• Strong understanding of the Scottish political and policy landscape in Scotland, with experience of contributing to national reform agendas and aligning services with strategic priorities.
• Proven ability to work across organisational boundaries, to build and maintain partnerships and relationships across stakeholders and politicians that generates confidence, respect and collaborative working.

Behaviours

• Changing and Improving - Level 4
• Leadership - Level 4
• Communications and Influencing - Level 4

You can find out more about Success Profiles here: Success profiles: candidate guide -

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 12th January 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 and we offer a range of flexible working options depending on the needs of the role. 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.

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.

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
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.