Social Work Scotland is the professional body for social work managers and leaders. We are a membership body and 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 excited to be recruiting to our Protecting Children Policy and Practice Advisor Post. With funding provided by Scottish Government, this post plays a key role in supporting statutory social work to develop and strengthen national policy and practice in relation to child protection and the protection of children and young people. This includes contributing to implementation and continuous improvement activity associated with the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland, Keeping the Promise, UNCRC incorporation, Bairns’ Hoose, Joint Investigative Interviewing and other key national reform programmes.

This post facilitates links between professional leadership, the Scottish Government and Child Protection Committees Scotland. It supports Social Work Scotland’s contribution to the national protection agenda, including Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, the Interagency Referral Discussions project, Joint Investigative Interviewing reform, Bairns’ Hoose implementation and the Age of Criminal Responsibility work plans. The post also contributes to wider national developments relating to child protection practice, children’s rights, and implementation of key policy and reform programmes including the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland and Keeping The Promise.

Working in partnership with local social work Child Protection leads, the Scottish Government Child Protection Social Work Professional Advisor and colleagues in COSLA, the National Social Work Agency and CELCIS, the post provides both capacity and leadership at the national level. Reporting to our Children and Families Policy and Practice Lead, with direction from our Chief Social Work Officer Group, Children and Families Standing Committee, and Child Protection Sub-Group, the post holder has the opportunity to make a unique contribution around the value of social work in the provision of holistic support for children and families. The postholder will work collaboratively across Social Work Scotland's wider policy, practice, and improvement activity, including alongside colleagues supporting Joint Investigative Interviewing, Interagency Referral Discussions and other national programmes.

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

Applicants should have experience of policy development and implementation and be confident operating at a national level.

We are looking for an individual who can work independently yet as an integral part of the team, bring a collaborative approach to work with partners, and with an ability to identify issues, articulate workable solutions, and build consensus; all with a view to social work values and principles.

The post holder will be a qualified and registered social worker with significant experience in children and families’ social work.