Professional Justice Social Work Adviser (Req 4202

Scottish Government

Edinburgh, UK

Hybrid

Expires: Expiring in less than 3 weeks

Social Work

Full time

£62,111 - £77,439 per year

Job summary

Do you want an exciting opportunity to join the National Social Work Agency (NSWA) as Professional Social Work Adviser for Justice Social Work (JSW)?

You will be based in the NSWA, working alongside Scottish Government (SG) and Scottish Prison Service (SPS) officials, social work managers, practitioners and key stakeholders in a professional social work adviser role. This impactful role will focus, in particular on leading on a review to consider and develop the current provision of prison based social work (PBSW) across the SPS estate and offers the chance to make a real difference for those living and working within the prison estate.

You will provide professionally-based expertise and advice across the NSWA, SPS and SG Community Justice policy division relating to PBSW. As part of a broader team of Professional Social Work Advisers, they will also provide support to the National Chief Social Work Adviser and depute, on relevant issues and offer professional advice on broader justice social work issues and links with other areas of social work.

Collaboration with social work sector partners is vital, with local government, local leaders and social work employers. The Scottish Social Work Partnership has been formed; an alliance, between NSWA, COSLA and Social Work Scotland, with involvement with sector partners. As a principal partner in the partnership, you will help drive forward the joint vision for a skilled, supported and sustainable workforce – one that is equipped to meet the needs of Scotland’s people now and in the future. There will be an expectation that the post holder will be able to travel to prison establishments as the role will necessitate regular engagement with prison based teams and in person meetings.

Job description

To work collaboratively with the SPS, SG and key stakeholders on all aspects of prison based social work service provision.
To support SPS policy officials in consideration of implications of wider population management strategies on PBSW workforce
To inform and influence consideration of the role and responsibilities of PBSW as part of the SPS Prisoner Pathway Programme (which is revising and reviewing case management)
To respond to national initiatives arising from strategic developments such as recommendations from the Penal Policy and Sentencing Commission and Care Inspectorate thematic reviews of prison based social work.
To attend relevant strategic meetings to offer professional advice and expertise as required.

Person specification

Professional registration

It is essential that you are a registered social worker with the SSSC or equivalent body.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Experience in social work management in justice social work or equivalent, (experience of managing Prison Based Social Work teams is desirable but not essential).
Possess comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of justice social work services, including strengths, pressures, and emerging priorities for Prison Based Social Work Services
Demonstrable experience in the delivery of social work services and working within professional standards
Proven ability to work collaboratively with other agencies and organisations to deliver positive outcomes
An understanding of Government and the political context in Scotland and the ability to operate effectively within it.

Essential Criteria

You will be able to demonstrate and evidence a high level of competence and effectiveness in:

Professional credibility and standing with a successful track record at a senior social work level
Leadership – providing direction, delivering results, building on relationships and capacity for change
Delivery of transformational programmes or pieces of work in a multi-agency context that take an inclusive and empowering approach
Strong focus on outcomes and on achieving improvements for users of services to reduce risks of reoffending
Excellent influencing skills – ability to form effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, that generate confidence, respect and collaborative working
Excellent oral and written communication skills particularly on complex and/or sensitive issues;
The ability to analyse information and provide succinct reports.

Desirable Criteria

Experience of working in a prison based social work team and/or a working knowledge of current issues.
Experience of taking an approach that considers service delivery through a process of self-evaluation, performance reporting and quality assurance.
Evidence of a commitment to professional development.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

How to apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the knowledge, skills and experience required for the role
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation.

Further information

Deirdre.oreilly@socialwork.gov.scot for further information.

Additional Information:

This post is full time and is offered on a secondment basis for an initial 12 month period which may be extended on agreement.
It's a secondment / loan opportunity
Given the nature of this post, we are open to flexible working arrangements.
You will be required to spend a minimum of 2 days (or 40%) per week in an office based/in person environment
Professional supervision will be offered by the lead professional justice social work adviser based in the National Social Work Agency

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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Salary range

£62,111 - £77,439 per year