Early Learning & Childcare (ELC) Inspector

Join us and make a difference – for you, for everyone

It’s our job to ensure care for everyone, everywhere in Scotland is as good as it can be. If you are as passionate about high-quality care and learning as we are, and you’re experienced in the field, we’d love to hear from you. We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference.

About you

You’ll have recent experience of supporting the delivery of high-quality care and learning for children and you will have significant knowledge of current developments and challenges within the sector. With your expertise in ELC, including school age childcare and childminding, you’ll share our determination that care services should work well for children – every time.

We’re currently recruiting for vacancies in our inspection teams. We welcome applications from candidates across mainland Scotland and in particular applications from Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh and the Lothians. In addition, we would like to see applications from applicants who are fluent in the Gaelic language or willing to develop their skills in this area.

We are different because of our great benefits, our investment in learning and development, and giving you the opportunity to help shape care in Scotland.

What you will be doing as an Inspector

Making a difference through working with services delivering care and learning for children. You’ll work with children and families experiencing ELC, childminders and school aged childcare services, service providers, managers and practitioners and be confident in supporting and advising on improving outcomes for children.

The skills you need

If you think this job is where you can make a real difference to children’s experiences, there are a few things you need. Whilst it’s important to have the basics, we will support you in developing your skillset throughout your journey with us.

You’ll be confident about what good-quality care and learning looks like and how to deliver it across the early learning & childcare sector. You’ll be resilient and adaptable, can work on your own initiative or as part of a team, manage competing priorities, build effective networks with partners, and have strong communication skills. Equally, you’ll be good at analysing information and evidence, and you’ll have excellent writing skills to produce reports that are clear, concise, and focused on outcomes.

We need you to have a relevant qualification (minimum SCQF Level 9) and be registered or eligible to register with a professional body like the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Teaching Council (GTC).

All new entrants will start on the grade minimum for the role however we have a generous benefits package which is highlighted below.

Salary & benefits

• Salary:£40,239 - £47,505 plus excellent benefits.
• Network of offices across Scotland, and opportunities to work from home through our hybrid working pilot.
• Flexible Hours: 140 hours to be worked over a 4-week period.
• Up to 37 days annual leave (after 5 years’ service) + 6 fixed public holidays.
• Contract: Permanent, two-year secondment or locum options are available.

In addition to our excellent benefits package, we also pride ourselves on the values we hold, person-centred; fairness; respect; efficiency and integrity - all supported with a culture of care and kindness. We’re proud to be a progressive, supportive employer, and equality, diversity and inclusion are important to us.

This is an exciting time to join the Care Inspectorate, with an opportunity to be at the heart of change as we consider the impact of the ELC expansion and the future expansion of 1year old care and the Scottish Government’s commitment to school aged childcare.

What next?

Click here to find out more about how we recruit inspectors. You can also contact the HR team at recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot for further information.

You'll also find more information in the job advert and the job profile & person specification.

If you’re ready to apply now, please click below to access the application form.

Apply now

Your application should be submitted no later than Monday 5 September 2022 at 08:00.

At the end of the application form, please ensure you complete our equalities monitoring form to assist in the effectiveness of our recruitment practice and ensure reasonable adjustments are made where required. On completion, please send it to recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot

This form together with your online application form comprise the application method for this role.

If you are currently employed by the Care Inspectorate and wish to transfer, please complete the employee transfer form, and review the guidance where necessary, by following the links.

We anticipate holding stage 1 of our assessment process in week commencing Monday 3 October 2022 and stage 2 no earlier than Wednesday 19 October over a 2 week period.

We accept applications for inspectors throughout the year and recruit three times a year. If you successfully complete our selection process, we’ll either confirm you’re the preferred candidate for a suitable vacancy (based on your specialism and location) or you’ll be invited to join our talent pool for future vacancies that would be suitable for you.