Senior Social Worker Opportunities (2)
Dumfries
£54,699 - £58,923
Dumfries & Galloway Children and Families Social Work Service is recruiting passionate and experienced leaders to join our service as Senior Social Workers.
We have two permanent, full-time opportunities (36 hours per week):
- Senior Social Worker – Kinship Team (16/1299)
- Senior Social Worker – Intensive Support Team (16/1321)
Both roles offer the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Dumfries & Galloway. Our services are committed to upholding children's rights, delivering The Promise, and providing high-quality, trauma-informed and relationship-based support that places the voices of children and families at the centre of decision making.
We are looking for skilled leaders who can inspire teams, support professional development, manage complexity and risk with confidence, and promote creative and innovative approaches that improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
What You'll Bring
For both roles, we are seeking individuals who can:
- Provide professional leadership, supervision and support to staff.
- Champion children's rights, participation and relationship-based practice.
- Manage complexity, uncertainty and risk, supporting sound professional decision-making.
- Lead service development, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
- Work creatively and innovatively to achieve better outcomes for children and families.
- Build strong partnerships across agencies and communities.
- Support teams through change and drive a culture of learning and improvement.
Applicants should have:
- A minimum of 5 years' experience in Children & Families Social Work (post-qualifying award desirable).
- Strong knowledge of child protection procedures, legislation and safeguarding practice.
- Experience of supervising and supporting staff.
- Excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills.
- A Social Work Degree/DipSW/CQSW (or equivalent) and SSSC registration.
This post is considered as Regulated Work with Vulnerable Children and Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. From 28 February 2011, preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG scheme update check prior to formal offer of employment being made by Dumfries and Galloway Council.
Applicants who have been resident outside the UK within the last 5 years, if offered a position, in addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police record check from the police authority in the country or countries in which they were resident.
A current driving licence is an essential requirement of this post. However, if you have a disability which precludes you from holding a driving licence consideration will be given if alternative transport can be arranged.
Senior Social Worker – Kinship Team
About the Role
This role will provide leadership within our Kinship Team, supporting a service that delivers assessment, support and training to kinship carers across Dumfries & Galloway.
You will play a key role in ensuring children and young people can remain connected to their families, communities and support networks wherever safe and appropriate to do so. Working closely with kinship carers and partner agencies, you will help deliver high-quality services that strengthen family-based care and improve outcomes for children and young people.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise and mentor social workers and senior family support workers.
- Lead service development and quality assurance activity.
- Deliver training and promote best practice.
- Support kinship carers to access resources, guidance and support.
- Chair meetings and provide oversight of complex cases.
- Promote family-led solutions that strengthen children's connections and sense of belonging.
Senior Social Worker – Intensive Support Team
About the Role
This role will provide leadership within the Intensive Support Team, a region-wide service working with children, young people and families experiencing significant challenges and periods of crisis.
Whilst the team provides support across Dumfries & Galloway, this post will be based in the east of the region and will have management oversight and leadership responsibilities for practice and service delivery within that locality.
The Intensive Support Team works intensively alongside families to reduce risk, strengthen relationships, build resilience and create sustainable change. This post offers an exciting opportunity to further develop innovative approaches to supporting children and families and to lead high-quality interventions where complexity and risk are significant factors.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and support to social workers and family support staff.
- Promote creative, strengths-based and innovative approaches to practice.
- Provide oversight and guidance in high-risk and complex cases.
- Support proportionate risk assessment and risk management.
- Chair meetings and contribute to strategic planning and service development.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
What We Offer
We are committed to supporting your professional development and wellbeing through:
- Regular reflective one-to-one and group supervision.
- Peer support and collaborative team cultures.
- Opportunities to influence service development and improvement.
- Access to learning and development opportunities.
- A supportive environment that values creativity, innovation and professional curiosity.
- The opportunity to make a lasting difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Dumfries & Galloway.
With an exciting benefits package, working for Dumfries and Galloway Council supports you to invest in your own health and wellbeing. Employees have access to our bespoke Vivup platform with over 800 discounts on everyday essentials from top UK retailers, restaurants, utility providers and more. Employees also get access to membership of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) exclusive discounts from local businesses, a Cycle-to-Work scheme, financial support from My Money Matters, and guidance from our trained Wellbeing Champions.
Here at Dumfries and Galloway Council we are committed to equality, diversity and equal opportunity with our values, which include treating everyone with dignity, fairness and respect, driving us to tackle inequality. We are looking for people that can bring different perspectives and experiences and especially welcome applications from those who are underrepresented in our organisation.
If you are enthusiastic, motivated and committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children, young people and families, we would love to hear from you.
Apply now and help shape the future of Children's Services in Dumfries & Galloway.
For an informal discussion please contact Sharon Fry, Team Manager [email protected]
