Fixed term/Secondment opportunity for 12 months
- Secondment Opportunity Existing permanent employees must first discuss this opportunity with their substantive line manager and complete the secondment request form prior to interview. The secondment request form and the associated secondment policy can be found on the HR/Recruitment intranet pages and must be completed and signed by the substantive line manager. The Candidate should then take it with them to interview as confirmation that an agreement has been granted.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Public Dental Service (PDS) for a Dental Health Support Worker to join our dynamic team.
We are seeking a highly organised, friendly, and motivated individual to support the delivery of the Childsmile programme. Childsmile is a national programme funded by the Scottish Government to promote and improve the oral health of children in Scotland.
Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will engage with families to support them in maximising their health and wellbeing through linking, referring, and signposting to wider community services.
Key Responsibilities
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Act as a key link between families, dental teams, health visiting teams, and education staff
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Engage with vulnerable groups and communities to support oral health improvement
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Take social histories to identify needs and support appropriate interventions
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Facilitate access to community-based services and support networks
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Contribute to the development of local service networks, including voluntary and public sector initiatives
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Support integration of oral health into wider health and community services
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Work in partnership with local stakeholders to plan and deliver community-based services
Essential Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following:
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Post holder must hold a Childsmile qualification
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Experience of working with families, children, or within a community-based role
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Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels
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Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
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Good organisational skills and the ability to manage workload effectively
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Competent IT and computer skills
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Flexible approach to working, including willingness to travel across NHS Forth Valley
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Ability and willingness to travel throughout the area of service delivery is essential for this post.
Desirable Criteria
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Experience of working within health, social care, or community services
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Knowledge of local community resources and support services
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Previous experience working within Childsmile or oral health programmes
Personal Attributes
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Friendly, approachable, and supportive manner
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Highly organised and reliable
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Ability to work independently and use initiative
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Commitment to improving health outcomes and reducing inequalities
Additional Information
For informal enquiries, please contact:
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Gail Stewart, Childsmile Co-ordinator/Team Lead [email protected] | 01324 616033.
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Darline Reekie 01324 613507
The duties of this post require the successful candidate to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.
The duties of this post require the successful candidate to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. More information on this scheme can be found at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro-rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria for the Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa routes. NHS Forth Valley may be able to offer sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. If you are currently working in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, transitional arrangements may apply. Please note that sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case-by-case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre-employment checks. For further information on visa requirements and sponsorship eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance.
It is also recommend that anyone applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad read the following guidance: Applying for health and social care jobs in the UK from abroad - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Candidates should provide original and authentic responses to all questions within the application form. The use of artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or other third-party assistance to generate, draft, or significantly modify responses is strongly discouraged. By submitting your application, you confirm that all answers are your own work, reflect your personal knowledge, skills and experience, and have not been solely produced or altered by AI or similar technologies. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in your application being withdrawn from the application process.
Please note that the majority of correspondence is sent by e-mail, therefore please check your e-mail regularly (including junk folders) and your Jobtrain account for updates.
NHS Forth Valley is positive about disabled people and is committed to offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job. Please contact the Recruitment Office on 0330 041 4694 if there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you with your application and/or interview.
NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
