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.

At the heart of everything we do is a passion for improving the lives and outcomes of Scotland's children and young people.

Our mission is simple, to advance practice in Scotland so that children with complex communication, learning, health and care needs achieve their full potential.

This is an exciting time to join the Craighalbert Centre. Over the coming years, we will be launching a range of transformative projects that will help us achieve our vision of becoming a National Centre of Excellence.

The Chief Executive will provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and inspirational direction to ensure the Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments (SCCMI) achieves its mission of enabling children with complex communication, learning, health, and care needs to achieve their full potential. The postholder will work closely with the Board of Directors, staff, and stakeholders to deliver the organisation's strategic objectives, ensure financial sustainability, and maintain SCCMI's reputation as a national leader in transdisciplinary education, therapy, and care. They will act as the primary ambassador for SCCMI, championing its values and advocating for the rights and wellbeing of children with complex communication, learning, health and care needs across Scotland.

Responsibilities and Duties

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement SCCMI's strategic vision in collaboration with the Board of Directors, ensuring alignment with the organisation's mission and long-term goals.
• Lead the delivery of SCCMI's strategic objectives, including growing the school roll, modernising infrastructure, and expanding the Early Intervention Programme.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement, ensuring SCCMI remains at the forefront of best practice in transdisciplinary education, therapy, and care.
• Ensure SCCMI's services are rights-based, holistic, and inclusive, promoting the highest levels of wellbeing and achievement for children and young people.

Governance and Compliance

• Work with the Board to ensure robust governance and compliance with charity law, company law, and other relevant regulations.
• Provide the Board with accurate and timely information to support effective decision-making and ensure compliance with regulatory and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Ensure SCCMI meets all statutory and regulatory requirements, including those related to safeguarding, health and safety, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Operational Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of SCCMI, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services that meet the needs of children, families, and stakeholders.
• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional development.
• Ensure SCCMI's facilities, equipment, and resources are maintained to the highest standards, supporting the delivery of innovative and effective services.

Financial Management

• Oversee SCCMI's financial health, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, ensuring sustainability and value for money.
• Lead efforts to secure funding through commissioned services, grants, donations, partnerships, and other income streams, reducing reliance on government grants.
• Optimise SCCMI's assets, including the Craighalbert Centre, to support the organisation's strategic objectives and financial sustainability.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary ambassador for SCCMI, building and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, including families, commissioners, government agencies, funders and partner organisations.
• Represent SCCMI at local, national, and international levels, advocating for the rights and needs of children with complex communication, learning, health and care needs.
• Ensure service users and stakeholders are actively engaged in shaping SCCMI's services and strategy.

People and Culture

• Provide inspirational leadership to the senior management team and staff, fostering a positive, inclusive, and high-performance culture.
• Ensure staff are supported through professional development, supervision, and clear performance management processes.
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion across SCCMI, ensuring policies and practices reflect the needs of the workforce and the children and families served.
• Foster depth, expertise, and a sense of ownership, empowering everyone to actively contribute to the organisation's success while feeling valued, supported, and fulfilled in their roles.

For more information contact our recruitment partner Sarah Gracie, Eden Scott on 07999 421314 or sarah.gracie@edenscott.com

About Play Scotland and the role

Formed in 1998, Play Scotland is the lead organisation for children’s play in Scotland and works to make every child’s right to play a reality.

Play Scotland has an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated, competent and innovative leader, with a successful background as a strategic manager to lead and shape the future of the organisation.

The successful candidate will be an effective communicator, confident in public speaking, stakeholder engagement, and policy representation at a national level.

They will bring a natural ability to develop effective partnerships across public, private and third sector organisations and have strong experience developing and delivering a strategic vision and leading successful staff teams.

A genuine enthusiasm for the work of Play Scotland is essential and you will bring a strong commitment to the mission and vision of this important charity.

An understanding and appreciation of the legal framework and policy for play in Scotland is essential, together with the ability to work across Scotland’s national and local government structures.

Play Scotland is committed to building a fair, equitable and diverse organisation, so we welcome applications from all sectors of society, regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, disability and/or religious persuasion. In return, we offer you an employee-friendly organisation with flexible policies.

The role is based in Scotland, and it is essential that you have a right to work in Scotland and be a resident in Scotland. For more information on Play Scotland, visit: playscotland.org

Following the forthcoming retirement of our current Chief Executive, we are seeking a passionate and dynamic Chief Executive to lead Ayrshire Cancer Support into our next exciting phase. This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced professional who has demonstrable senior leadership, management, diplomatic and collaboration skills, to help shape the future of Ayrshire’s leading cancer support charity.

Working collaboratively with our Board of Trustees and Senior Leadership Colleagues, the post-holder will drive our strategy, identifying and prioritising opportunities to sustain and grow income, as well as developing our cancer support services. They will also work collaboratively with colleagues to develop innovative and practical ways to increase turnover and profitability to deliver the required impact.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in income growth, will be commercially astute and able to demonstrate high levels of business acumen, having an excellent understanding of the financial planning requirements of a self-funded charity.

Possessing drive, resilience, ambition and empathy we are seeking someone who will be ‘hands on’ and relish the challenge of providing the very highest levels of support to those affected by cancer in Ayrshire, acting as an ambassador and champion for our charity and our services.