Social Work Scotland is the professional body for social work managers and leaders. We exist to promote and support the development of the social work profession, and to inform, influence and improve public policy and social services.

We are delighted to be recruiting to a new Secure Care Policy and Practice Advisor post. With funding provided by Scottish Government, this post is designed to play a core role in supporting local authority social work services to access appropriate options for children and young people requiring intensive support, care and protection. As part of this exciting opportunity, the post holder will also contribute to accelerating implementation of the ‘reimagining secure care’ programme, transforming how we care for those needing intensive support and protection by shifting the balance of provision towards intensive, community-based, multi-disciplinary care.

We are looking for an individual who can work independently yet as an integral part of a cross-agency team, bringing social work values and principles and a collaborative approach to work with partners, identifying issues, and articulating workable solutions.

You will be part of our SWS policy and practice team, reporting to our Children and Families Policy and Practice Lead. With direct links to our Chief Social Work Officer Group, Children and Families Standing Committee, and as a key member of a national team of individuals with responsibility for secure care, the post holder can make a unique and invaluable contribution to how we support children who require intensive support, care and protection now and in the future.

Relationship across secure providers, national and local government, NHS and the voluntary sector are central to the role, and we are looking for someone with excellent communication skills, able to work across disciplines and agencies. Knowledge and experience of the secure sector, an understanding of the pressures currently facing the sector and a focussed, dynamic and forward-thinking approach to responding to those pressures are attributes we are seeking, as is a clear commitment to upholding children’s rights and interests

Applicants should have experience of policy development and implementation. The post holder will work as part of a wider team at national and local level and contribute to government policy development as well as provide policy and practice guidance are essential.

At the core of Social Work Scotland is a commitment to assisting the profession be the best it can be for the individuals, families and communities who need social work or social care support; the Secure Care Policy and Practice Advisor role assists us to deliver on that commitment.

The post holder should be a qualified social worker with experience in children and families work, and/or an individual with experience in the management of secure care, residential care, or other intensive monitoring and support services for children and young people.