Social Worker, Child Protection Duty Team, Almondbank House, Perth - PKC12464

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.

We currently have the following opportunity:

Social Worker - PKC12464
£44,223 - £47,170
Child Protection Duty Team, Almondbank House, Perth

This is a new post and an exciting opportunity to be part of the development of the Multi-Agency Screening Hub (MASH) and Child Protection team.  

You will work collaboratively with partner agencies, other Children and Families’ Staff as part of the MASH, providing appropriate advice and guidance, participating in multi-agency assessments and analysis, leading to clear recommendations. 

Your key duties and responsibilities will be as follows: 

• Promoting the welfare and protection of children and young people who are referred to MASH by professionals, parents/carers and others.
• Identifying child protection concerns which require an immediate response by the Child Protection Team.
• Maintaining effective interagency relationships with Police, Education, Health and Voluntary Agencies as well as other Children and Families Service staff.
• Facilitating MASH Discussions and providing assessments and analysis, which lead to clear recommendations for the Named Person, Lead Professional and other relevant professionals.
• Participating in individual supervision sessions, team meetings and other meetings as required and implementing agreed actions and decisions.
• Other duties as directed by the MASH/CP Team Manager, such as information gathering, undertaking assessments and prioritising referrals in terms of risk and need.
• To prepare for, attend and contribute to task-related meetings such as MASH Discussions and other meetings.
• To maintain accurate, up-to-date, and accountable professional records in respect of children and families referred to MASH in line with DATA Protection Legislation.
• To identify and participate in relevant CPD opportunities to ensure skill levels are maintained and improved, along with knowledge of relevant issues.

You will provide a service between Monday to Friday within office hours.  The job will be based at Almondbank House in North Muirton, Perth. 

Skills & Experience Required

You must have:

• A degree in social work or equivalent as recognised by SSSC.
• Able to undertake initial and comprehensive risk assessments.
• Experience of direct work with children and families.
• Undertaken collaborative work with other agencies/disciplines.
• An ability to work within professional boundaries.
• An ability to work well as a member of a team as well as own initiative.
• Registration with the SSSC.
• Member of PVG Scheme or willingness to become member of a PVG Scheme with satisfactory Scheme Record and/or Scheme Record Update.
• Commitment to the promotion of positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Ability to work to fixed timescales.

Ideally you will have:

• Child protection experience.
• Awareness of legislation and procedures.
• Be willing to complete the Post qualifying certificate in Child Protection.
• Experience of case working and facilitating positive outcomes for individual children.
• Full, current driving licence.

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities.  In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours.  Find out more about Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Flexi time
• Access to a range of benefits

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this.  You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you.  A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance.  You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

This role requires you to be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), if you are not yet registered, you can still apply, as long as you are willing to apply for registration within 3 months of starting with us and be registered within 6 months.

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Debbie Reilly-Davidson, Team Leader on to find out more.

Click “APPLY NOW”

External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses.  One of these must be your current or most recent employer.

We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post.  Please contact the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments.  Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.

Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements.  That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists.  Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regulated work and under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. 

If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required.  You will be required to provide this check.

A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.