Social Worker (Joint Investigative Interview Team) - REQ01350

North Lanarkshire Council is committed to support all children and young people to achieve their potential, ensuring they are loved, nurtured and empowered to thrive in all aspects of their lives. As one of Scotland’s largest local authorities we are focussed on delivering quality Social Work services that put the people in our communities first.

Our Social Workers have a vital role in helping us deliver quality services which promotes and delivers both high standards and best value, creating prosperity, achieving social justice and importantly, meets the needs of people within our communities. This can only happen if we have the right people with the right skills, abilities and attitude.

We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Social Worker join our dedicated Joint Investigative Interview (JII) Team. The Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) for JII uses a trauma informed approach to interview child victims and witnesses. Lanarkshire was the first area in Scotland to implement the SCIM for JII and has now been operational for over three years. The Team operates pan Lanarkshire and is currently based in Blantyre Police Station, whilst interviewing children across Lanarkshire. The team consists of Police and Social Work interviewers, with Police and Social Work operational management.

We are looking for a Social Worker with significant experience in child protection work to join our JII team. Social Workers with previous experience of the 5-day trained JII model of practice are welcomes, although this is not a requirement. Training in the new SCIM for JII will be provided and any successful candidates will access the ongoing support and continuing professional development in line with the role and responsibility of the post.

We are looking for people who have a sound value base, can demonstrate a commitment to providing safe, effective and person-centred support and are passionate about achieving positive outcomes for North Lanarkshire’s most vulnerable people. Applicants should have a sound knowledge of child protection work and demonstrate a trauma informed approach to practice.

To apply you must hold a CQSW/DipSW, BA (Hons) in Social Work or equivalent and have moderate post qualifying experience as a Social Worker. We are looking for people who possess excellent communication and writing skills, have a sound value base and can demonstrate they have the skills and abilities to gain trust and confidence to ensure we deliver the best possible outcomes. If you want to join our dedicated JII team, we would love to hear from you.

You will be registered or eligible for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and you will require to become a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme member prior to commencing in this role.

In return we can offer you a positive professional working experience with a commitment to continuous professional development including access to senior practitioner status, if you are eligible, and training and support to help you transition into your new role with us.

If you wish to discuss this role further please contact Sharon Coats: CoatsS@northlan.gov.uk

Working here at North Lanarkshire Council

If you’re considering a career with us, you’ll be keen to know what’s in it for you. We have a great package of benefits available, from health and wellbeing to finances and family. This includes 27 days annual leave and 6 public holidays*, and a wide range of offers available to you through our NLLife reward site. We also have a full package of learning and development through our learning academy LearnNL to help you reach your full potential and further your career.

For more information on local authority careers visit the myjobscotland career hub

North Lanarkshire Council are Happy to Talk Flexible Working, we operate a Smarter Working Policy.

Click here to see our Recruitment Charter.

*For all casual/sessional roles, you will receive 12.1% of your hourly rate for every hour worked in total recompense for annual leave, including public holidays. These rates will be indicated separately on your payslip. You will only be paid for the hours that you work.

We are a Disability Confident Leader and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who consider themselves to be disabled, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

We have also adopted the Armed Forces Community Covenant to show our support for service personnel, veterans and their families. We offer a guaranteed interview for service leavers, spouses, reservists and veterans, as long as they meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description.

North Lanarkshire Council is committed to #KeepingThePromise. This means that if you have ever been in care (looked after at home with a social worker, lived with a relative other than your parents, experienced foster, residential or secure care) you are entitled to a guaranteed interview for this post, as long as you meet the essential criteria of the person specification/job description. This is one way North Lanarkshire is demonstrating our commitment to supporting Care-Experienced People.

The Plan for North Lanarkshire is to be the place to live, learn, work, invest and visit. The Council recognises that work is an important part of adult life and is critical to our wellbeing and shaping how we live. The Fair Work Convention’s Framework defines Fair Work as work that offers effective voice, fulfilment, opportunity, respect and security. We believe Fair Work can boost creativity, realise untapped potential and increase productivity. To find out more click on the link.

Alternative Application Packs can be requested in other formats for example, Large Print, Braille, and Audio. To request an alternative Application Pack please phone 01698 403151.

The following link contains our Easy Read documents which will help explain the process and what happens during the selection process: Easy Read – My NL

***PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT ACCEPT CVS IN PLACE OF THE APPLICATION FORM. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY YOU MUST ENSURE AN APPLICATION FORM IS SUBMITTED. ANY CV SUBMISSIONS WILL BE DISREGARDED.***