Proposed Interview Date: Week Commencing 27 July 2026
Closing Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026
Contract Type: Permanent and Casual
Salary: FC9 £47,604.34 - £57,196.54 (Pro-Rata)
Working Pattern: 24 hours per week or casual
Location: Bankhead Central, Glenrothes, with the requirement to travel across Fife
Supporting Statement
As part of your application, you must provide us with a Supporting Statement which outlines to us how your skills and experience make you a good candidate for this vacancy. For more information, check out the How to Apply section of our Career Site. Without a Supporting Statement, your application will not be progressed. Please upload your Supporting Statement at the section marked ‘upload resumé’. Your Supporting Statement must not be a CV. More information is available on our Career site at www.fife.gov.uk/jobs/supportingstatement .
Please state the post you are applying for in your supporting statement.
Job Details
We are looking for experienced and motivated Social Work professionals to join our Emergency Out of Hours Social Work Service as a Co‑ordinator (Senior Practitioner).
There are currently two 24-hour per week posts (2 posts available) - these are made up of an average of three shifts per week. In addition, there are a number of relief posts available, offering flexible opportunities to support the service.
As the Co-ordinator/Senior Practitioner on shift, you will take a lead role in overseeing service delivery, supporting staff, and ensuring that individuals at risk receive a timely and appropriate response. Fife Out of Hours team respond to all areas of social work practice. This includes adult and child protection matters. This role includes operating under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, undertaking statutory Mental Health Officer (MHO) duties as required.
You will work as part of a team alongside Social Workers and Social Work Assistants, providing leadership and professional guidance while maintaining oversight of all activity during your shift.
In this role, you will:
- Take responsibility for the overall coordination of the shift, ensuring effective decision-making and safe practice.
- Provide direction, advice and support to Social Workers and Assistants.
- Assess incoming information and determine appropriate responses to risk.
- Arrange and oversee urgent assessments and interventions.
- Undertake statutory Mental Health Officer duties in line with the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, including coordinating and participating in Mental Health Act assessments where required.
- Act as the designated Mental Health Officer (MHO) during operational hours.
- Support staff attending emergency situations, including attending where required.
- Promote effective multi-agency working with Police, Health and other partners.
- Maintain oversight of recording and ensure accurate and timely documentation, including statutory documentation relating to mental health interventions.
- Contribute to the ongoing development and quality of the service.
- Contribute to the learning of relief Social Work staff, acting as a mentor and offering supervision where required.
You will be part of a rolling rota covering:
- Evenings and weekends.
- Overnight on-call / standby arrangements.
- Public holidays.
The role requires flexibility and the ability to travel across Fife, including overnight.
The Person
We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:
- A Degree / Diploma in Social Work or equivalent.
- Current Mental Health Officer (MHO) accreditation is essential, with demonstrable experience of carrying out statutory duties under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.
- Strong knowledge of Child and Adult Protection processes and relevant legislation.
- Ability to lead practice, assess risk and make complex decisions under pressure.
- Experience of supporting and guiding others within a professional setting.
- Strong communication skills, including advising, influencing and working collaboratively.
- Ability to prioritise competing demands and maintain oversight in high-pressure environments.
- Experience of effective multi-agency working.
- Competence in IT systems and maintaining accurate records.
- Ability to travel throughout Fife.
If you are an experienced Social Work professional with the skills and confidence to lead practice, undertake statutory MHO responsibilities, and support others in a dynamic out of hours environment, we would welcome your application.
Before confirming to your appointment, you will be required to obtain Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme membership through Disclosure Scotland and become a member of the relevant PVG scheme.
As this role requires SSSC registration, you will have three months to apply for registration.
If appointed, you must start your application as soon as possible so you're registered within the required six months.
If you need to achieve a qualification to maintain your SSSC membership, information will be provided if you are appointed. You must ensure you complete the qualification within the specified timeframe.
More details are included in the role profile.
Further Information
- Role Profile - When preparing your supporting statement, review the role profile and think about how you meet the essential criteria Role Profile
- How We Work Matters - Our employees are expected to display and promote certain behaviours in the workplace. See our How We Work Matters behaviour framework for more information.
- Employee Benefits - Employees have access to a benefits package that offers discounts on a wide range of products and services.
- Directorate Information - Council Department information
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- Alternative Formats - Job information can be made available in alternative formats, to make a request please e-mail [email protected] .
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For further information please contact: Michael Hunter - [email protected]
