This is an exciting time to join Stirling Council as we work to enhance our leadership capacity and drive improvement activities that make a difference for people in Stirling.

Are you ready to lead and innovate in relation to improving the lives of children, families and justice in Stirling? Are you committed to leading on and promoting the value and contribution of our social work professionals and practice, including child protection, adult protection and practice learning and development for across our workforce? The role of Chief Social Worker is critical to supporting the development, promotion and value of our social work profession and professionals whilst leading and managing our Children, Family and Justice services that put the child and/or person at the heart of every decision.

In Stirling, our children, young people, parents and carers have a vision of a Stirling that is safe, inclusive and nurturing and where all children and young people are able to thrive. We have a vision of Stirling as a place where every child grows up feeling loved, safe, and respected, so that they can realise their full potential. We work together putting children and families at the centre. Children and young people want services which promote and defend their rights as children, and which involve them in the decisions that affect them.

Requirements

You will be a highly effective communicator and team player, a strategic thinker and experienced senior manager, who has used your record of success in delivering effective services to champion and embed opportunities for all children, young people and care leavers, within Council and partnership systems and arrangements.

Analytical skills and astute political awareness and understanding are needed, together with a commitment to customer-focused public services. Working with our communities and public, private and third sector organisations, as well as colleagues and teams across the organisation, you will build and develop relationships to deliver improvements for the benefit of all our citizens.

Responsibilities

Children and Family and Justice Services

There are currently 18,194 children and young people aged 0-18 years in Stirling, comprising 19.5% of the total population, with almost twice as many residents living within a rural area (33.4%) than the Scottish average (17.2%). When looking at Stirling’s outcomes for children and young people, the majority are improving. Comparatively Stirling is the same or better than Scotland as whole. This overall picture, however, masks deep inequalities, with outcomes for some children and young people being significantly poorer than others.

In Children and Family Services, our work to deliver on The Promise and our commitment to the revised guidance on Getting It Right for Every Child are changing the way we work to protect those who are most vulnerable and ensure the voice and rights of the child are at the heart of all we do.

In relation to our Justice services, the Children’s Care and Justice Bill and processes around places of safety will have a significant impact on delivery of services for those young people who come into conflict with the law. Similarly, for those working in adult justice, guidance around electronic court submissions, alongside the newly introduced Community Justice Strategy and Hate Crime Strategy are changing the way we deliver services as well.

Clackmannanshire and Stirling Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) (Adult) Service

At the heart of this is our commitment to strengthen our Health, Social Work and Social Care Services, and deliver a service to our communities that is defined by quality, inclusive practices, innovation, accountability and achieving effective and positive outcomes which will change lives for the better.

As Chief Social Work Officer in Stirling, you will contribute to HSCP strategic priorities while maintaining productive and co-operative working relationships with Elected Members, NHS Non-Executives, Heads of Service, senior officers and stakeholders across partner organisations whilst operating as a non-voting member of the Integration Joint Board (IJB) and any other appropriate national and or local bodies.

You will also manage the day to day delivery and strategic direction of the following specific functions: Child Protection, Adult Protection and Practice Learning & Professional Social Work Practice Development.Working with us, you can expect to enjoy a varied, challenging and rewarding career, the chance to make a real difference for people and communities. With your ongoing commitment we can continue to offer invaluable support for adults, families and children when they need it most.

We are passionate about our people and how we deliver services to our community in Stirling. That’s why we encourage a culture that puts children, families and people at the heart of everything we do - by empowering our people to work together to find solutions, be open, honest, and respectful, take responsibility and listen and learn. If you value these behaviours too, we’d love to hear from you

The Individual

About Stirling

Stirling is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city set within a world-class historic built environment and is a hub of contemporary culture.

The area is popular with tourists, attracting millions of visitors every year thanks to the region's rich history and stunning countryside, including Scotland's first National Park. Add to this theatres, cinemas, galleries, great restaurants, sporting facilities and easily accessible shopping, and it's easy to see why life in Stirling is hard to beat. Equidistant to both Glasgow and Edinburgh, Stirling is ideally situated for business, as well as to live, work, study and visit. Stirling's population is approximately 94,210 and is projected to rise significantly in the coming years. The Stirling Council area benefits from a vast mix of urban and rural communities, covering 2,187 square kilometres in total and includes areas as far south as Strathblane and as far North as Killin

Benefits of Working for Stirling Council

• Fair pay including pensions
• Flexibility (ability to negotiate working from home/office hybrid model, core hours, enhance work life balance)
• Health and Wellbeing Support and Resources
• Benefits including salary sacrifice and discount schemes
• An inclusive workplace culture allowing all employees to fulfil their potential and other reasonable adjustments for those with a disability or those with caring responsibilities
• Clear expectation of role and measurable goals
• Learning and Development Opportunities for career progression included course funding for accredited Chief Social Work Officer qualification

If this sounds like the challenge for you, please apply with your CV and covering letter by midnight on 11th August 2024. For an informal chat please contact Lisa Dunlop at dunlopli@stirling.gov.uk

Stirling Carers Centre is a well-regarded and successful charity/organisation providing tailored information, advice, emotional and practical support to young people and adults who look after a relative or friend who, due to illness, disability, mental health conditions or addiction, could not manage without their help.

We are seeking a creative, entrepreneurial individual with a successful track record as a senior leader, ideally as a CEO/Manager, to achieve our ambitions as the leading organisation supporting Unpaid Carers throughout Stirling Council and the wider area.

You will be a person with enthusiasm, determination, vision and superb interpersonal and team building skills. You will be able to provide a strong visible presence to statutory partners as well as all stakeholders, engendering trust and confidence and giving clarity to our vision and mission.

As our CEO you must be passionate about improving the lives of Unpaid Carers and have a proven record in strategic leadership as well as the ability to meet the challenges of attracting and managing resources in an uncertain environment. It is critical that the person appointed has the ability to lead and develop staff to provide excellent and agile services.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate the flair to initiate innovative projects as well as manage and develop our existing range of services, including those in which we take a leading role with partners. Knowledge and experience in the Health & Social Care Sector and the voluntary sector is essential.

We would particularly like to hear from you if you have three years’ leadership experience as CEO or at a senior level and proven ability to motivate, develop, delegate and lead a team.

Are you an experienced leader in the housing and/or care sectors who is passionate about the impact good quality housing and care can have on society? Are you brilliant at leading people to work collaboratively and with purpose towards a shared goal?

If the answer to those questions is yes, this is the job for you.

Kingdom is one of East Central Scotland’s leading registered social landlords, our Mission is to provide “More Than A Home”. We’re at a really exciting stage of our journey with ambitious business development and growth plans. Kingdom is the parent of two very successful subsidiaries which provide support & care services and manage a mid-market rent portfolio. Kingdom’s people strive to live the organisations values of Customer Service, Accountability, Respect, Efficiency and Support in everything they do.

To deliver the mission and vision, Kingdom needs an authentic, enthusiastic and focused individual who will lead a team of four specialist Directors to deliver seamless, world class customer experiences to our customers across our support and care, housing, asset management and development functions.

You’ll be a member of the Executive Management Team, working with the Group Chief Executive and Governing Bodies to help set and deliver on Kingdom’s strategic aims.

In return, Kingdom offers a generous reward package, a great work/life balance and a job that will challenge you and in which you can make a real contribution to improving people’s lives and the communities in which they live.

We are committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Many of our people have flexible and agile working arrangements so we are very happy to consider forms of flexible working that would enable you to thrive both professionally and personally with us.

Dundee Science Centre (DSC), an award-winning visitor attraction and educational charity, has been promoting hands-on learning and showcasing the wonders of science since 2000. Our mission is to inspire curiosity and engagement in STEM across Tayside, Fife, and beyond. With 40 dedicated staff members and an annual income of £1.5 million, DSC engages an audience of 250,000 through in-Centre visits, community programs, festivals, and online initiatives.

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead DSC into its next phase of development. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of science, a commercial mindset, and the ability to inspire and guide a high-performing team. As CEO, you will set the pace, tone, and culture of the organisation, ensuring sustainable growth and an exceptional visitor experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with the Board to develop and implement the 3-year Business Strategy and Annual Operating Plan. Build a strong working relationship with the Chair and ensure robust governance.
• Operational Management: Lead the Executive Team to deliver the Annual Operating Plan, oversee business activities, and drive income growth. Manage customer experience, facilities, exhibitions, IT, Health & Safety, visitor services, staffing, and finance.
• STEM Engagement: Promote STEM engagement through effective marketing, fundraising, and partnerships. Represent DSC at external events and build relationships with key stakeholders.
• Financial and HR Oversight: Ensure financial stability, conduct annual audits, and maintain current HR policies and procedures. Foster a motivated and cohesive team environment.

The ideal candidate will have proven leadership in running commercial operations and delivering national-level projects. They will possess experience in the visitor attraction sector or in building successful commercial ventures. Strong governance and Company Secretary experience are essential, along with a broad understanding of science and STEM engagement. Financial management and budget responsibility are critical, as is hands-on HR experience and conflict resolution skills. The candidate should demonstrate excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management abilities. Finally, the ability to make informed decisions, inspire confidence, and work effectively under pressure is paramount.

Join us at Dundee Science Centre and lead a team dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators. Dundee Science Centre is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

For more information on Dundee Science Centre and this opportunity, please visit aspenpeople.co.uk/DSC.

For a confidential discussion, please contact David Currie or Donogh O’Brien at Aspen People on 0141 212 7555.