Senior Children Services Practitioner

Job Vacancy

Imagine you could change someone’s life. Being a Senior Children’s Services Practitioner within our service you could do just that. Midlothian Residential Services have an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to join our team. In this role you will assist the Residential Manager to continue to shape our service by supporting and developing our staff team to ensure improved outcomes for all our young people. At our last inspection we achieved a Very Good grading, and you will be joining an ambitious, creative, forward-thinking team who go above and beyond to ensure our children and young people, both past and present achieve the best possible care and support.

Main responsibilities

We pride ourselves on our inspection results and our commitment to be sector leading. As such, we are looking for the highest calibre Senior Children’s Services Practitioner who has the skills and personal qualities to lead others and holds a true passion for helping children and young people.

Reporting to the management team you will lead participation in the provision of a nurturing environment across our service conducive with The Promise made to our care experienced Young People. You will model relationship-based and trauma informed practices and be expected to coach and develop the staff team in accordance with their theoretical approaches. You will also be expected to work in collaboration with professional colleagues, to design, implement, review and analyse care plans. We need you to be an effective leader and be able to influence change at an operational level. You will be expected to provide direct line management to our Children Services Practitioners in line with Midlothian Council People Policies. You will undertake daily tasks to ensure that the service operates within budget and delivers evidence-based interventions.

As a Senior Children’s Services Practitioner, you will, mentor, empower, support and coach our Childrens Services Practitioners and draw upon your experience to manage any challenges that may arise. If you enjoy problem solving, have an in depth understanding of child development and trauma informed practice and have confidence in your ability to make a difference to a child or young person’s life, then please apply to join us.

 

CLOSING DATE - Sunday 28th April 2024

INTERVIEW DATE - week commencing 6th May 2024

Job Advert

Position Title: Senior Children’s Service Practitioner

Position Number: Grade 8

Directorate: Children, Young People & Partnerships

Location: Midlothian Residential Services

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36

Working Pattern: three 12 hours shifts

Weeks per year: 52

Please note that it is Midlothian Councils policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

Based on you working 36 hours over 52 weeks per year the minimum actual salary for this position is £40,349 per annum.

 

Ideal Candidate

You will have already achieved a Degree/SVQ4 level in a relevant discipline i.e. Social Care, Health, or Education. You will have extensive knowledge of working with children and young people including interventions such as attachment promoting, trauma-based therapy and child development. You will be registered with the SSSC and familiar with Children and Young Peoples Scotland Act 2014, Children’s Hearing System, Human Rights legislation, The Promise, United Nation Convention of the Rights of Child, and Midlothian getting it right for every child.

You will be an effective leader and hold the necessary personal traits to help grow confidence, motivation, and trust throughout the team. You will bring with you a wealth of knowledge and have carried out training specific to the theory and policy that underpin our practice.

The role offers a great work-life balance with our shift working pattern. We really want a committed, like-minded, and passionate person who genuinely wants to make a difference.

Experience of working within a Young Person’s Residential Setting is essential as is specialist experience of working and supporting staff to manage children and young people at risk of harm.

Travelling is integral to this role, and you will be required to travel across Midlothian either using public transport, or the house lease vehicle.

We are an equal opportunities employer and have a commitment to safeguarding children; we follow safer recruitment processes. All roles will be subject to a successful PVG, issued by Disclosure Scotland.

Requirements

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children or adults.
Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children and Adults, You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk

Additional Information

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please call 0131 271 3063 to speak to a member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.