Job Description

Midlothian

This is an exciting opportunity to join Midlothian’s Family Wellbeing Service as a Senior Practitioner. The service is based out of the new Easthouses Primary School and aims to provide flexible, holistic support to families in need across Midlothian. The service supports families with children aged 0-18 in an effort to avoid statutory intervention. The service works in partnership with multi-agency colleagues to create bespoke plans that support families to overcome obstacles with housing, finances, education and wellbeing.

We are looking for a dynamic Senior Family Wellbeing Practitioner to support the team in delivering high quality support services to families in Midlothian. This will involve supervising and supporting family wellbeing practitioners to provide high quality systemic support to meet the needs of children and their families at the earliest opportunity and within statutory and service guidelines.

We are seeking a qualified Social Worker with experience in working alongside vulnerable families to assess strengths and needs as well as plan, deliver and evaluate interventions and strategies which enable families to thrive. It is essential that candidates share our vision that collaborative working and relationship based early intervention is the best means of supporting children and families.

Essential:

The jobholder must hold a Diploma or Degree in social work that is recognised by the SSSC.

The job holder also needs to be able to demonstrate an understanding or experience of:

Legal frameworks and the Local Authority’s statutory responsibilities relevant to the service area;
National and local practice, policy, procedure and legislation relevant to the post;
Have knowledge and understanding of a range of systemic interventions and methodologies such as attachment, child development, systemic support, relationship-based approach, motivational interviewing techniques and the impact of trauma.

The post holder must have experience of working with and protecting vulnerable children and families through relevant legislation, processes and procedures.

Desirable:

Post-qualifying experience working with children and families;
Child Welfare and Protection Certificate, or demonstrate a commitment to work towards it;
A working knowledge of motivational interviewing techniques.
Previous supervisory experience is desirable.

CLOSING DATE - Sunday 12th January 2025

INTERVIEW DATE - Wednesday 22nd January 2025

Requirements

Position Title: Senior Family Wellbeing Practitioner

Directorate: Children, Young People and Partnerships

Location: Easthouses Primary School

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 hour per week

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

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 36 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £41,802.34 per annum.

Responsibilities

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Protected 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 protected adults.
Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children and Protected 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

The Individual

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.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.