Team Leader- Children's Services

Job Description

This post is a temporary Team Leader within the Children’s Services Practice Team. We support a range of children, young people and their families, from pre-birth to Aftercare. The workload is diverse and includes child protection, statutory and permanence work, as well as supporting children and young people in conflict with the law.

There are significant policy and legislative developments which impact our work. These include the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024, UNCRC (Incorporation)(Scotland) Act 2024, Children’s Hearing redesign and the Promise.

This role has arisen as part of wider developments across our service, meaning that this is really an exciting time to be joining Children’s Services within Midlothian.

KNOWLEDGE

Extensive technical and specialist knowledge is required and underpinned by both breadth and depth of knowledge likely to be gained by the acquisition of formal qualifications such as a degree. A considerable period of relevant working experience will be needed to perform competently.

The jobholder must hold a Diploma or Degree in an appropriate social work discipline that is recognised by the SSSC with substantial experience in children and families social work.

The job holder must have or be willing to work towards a management qualification.

To deliver the remit of this post also requires the jobholder to keep abreast of current developments in the field of Children & Families along with current and future legislation changes that impact on the service.

S/he will have experience of working within a multi-agency environment and an in-depth knowledge of working with children’s establishments in addition to experience of managing a professional staff team and/or managing/leading on a project.

Previous management experience with budget responsibility and excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to the role.

Closing Date: Sunday 11 May 2025

Interview Date: Monday 19 May 2025

Requirements

Position Title: Team Leader- Children’s Services

Directorate: Children, Young People & Partnerships

Location: Eskdaill Court

Contract Status: Fixed Term for 12 months.

Hours of Work: 36

Working Pattern: Monday – 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 £52,369.69 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.