SLA08806 – Lead Officer (Child Protection)

Job Description

South Lanarkshire Council is an ambitious, high performing organisation with a clear vision and programme of action which is designed to improve the lives and prospects of everyone in South Lanarkshire.  Social Work Resources is committed to delivering personalised services which focus on positive outcomes and place service users, relatives, and carers at the centre of our work.

An opportunity has arisen for a committed professional who wants to play a major role in work which helps protect children and young people from risk of harm. The Lead Officer (Child Protection) for South Lanarkshire Child Protection Committee will have a lead role in the development of policy and best practice in relation to multi-agency child protection work. The Lead Officer (Child Protection) will manage the Child Protection Development Worker and the Gender-Based Violence Worker.

The Child Protection Committee is responsible for continuous improvement, public information, communication, and strategic planning. It has active representation and engagement from an extended range of partner organisations. The range of the Committee’s work can be viewed at its website www.childprotectionsouthlanarkshire.org.uk.

For further information on any of the above please contact Liam Purdie, Head of Children and Justice Services, on 01698 454887.

Requirements

Applicants will have considerable relevant experience in a Social Work Children’s Services environment and in the field of child protection and be able to demonstrate the ability to lead a range of managers, to develop and implement complex business plans and registers, and to be able to assess risk and make the right decisions, however difficult.  You must also have experience of operating and demonstrating successful outcomes in a strategic, partnership and inter-agency environment.

Applicants for this post must hold an appropriate professional degree in Social Work or equivalent and a Child Protection Certificate or Diploma or equivalent.  You must also hold registration with the Scottish Social Services Council and/or other relevant body.

This post is a fixed term post for one year until March 2023. Secondment opportunities will be considered if supported by your host organisation.

Responsibilities

Fixed Term Vacancy 

Additional information for Internal Applicants – As this is a Fixed Term position, prior to making your application, please discuss your potential application with your current Line Manager.  In the event that you are being considered for this post, your release to undertake this internal fixed term opportunity would need to be agreed in advance and managed by the service/s or resource/s.

Foreign Police Check

Candidates should be able to detail any gaps in employment and provide a foreign police check where applicable for any periods living or working abroad.

Legislative Information

This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 2003.

Regulated Work with Protected Adults

This post is considered Regulated Work with Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007.  Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with protected adults. 

Preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to a formal offer of employment being made by South Lanarkshire Council.

Please refer to http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk for further information about the disclosure process and best practice.

The Individual

As an employee of the Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:

• Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
• Up to 32 days annual leave which will be calculated into hours on commencement of the role.
• Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
• Occupational sick pay
• Family friendly policies – flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave, enhanced leave
• Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema
• Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)

Please apply online.

All correspondence will be via your email address registered with myjobscotland.

Equal Opportunities and Armed Forces Community Covenant

South Lanarkshire Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourages applications from all members of the community.   As a user of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum behaviour requirements for the position.

South Lanarkshire Council is committed to providing support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families which is set out in the Armed Forces Community Covenant.  Veterans are guaranteed an interview who meet the minimum requirements for the position.