Vacancy Information
Candidates will be assessed on the basis of appropriate relevant experience and qualifications and salary placed within the advertised scale.
Hourly rate of pay: £ - £
Days and hours of work:
Monday - Friday, 09:00-17:00
Days of work are negotiable, flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.
To start asap.
East Lothian Council is seeking a skilled and compassionate Social Worker to join our Adoption and Kinship Team. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a growing and dynamic area of practice that supports children and families in line with The Promise (Independent Care Review, 2020).
Over the past decade, East Lothian has seen a significant increase in kinship carers coming forward to care for children who are unable to live with their birth parents. We believe that children thrive best in family environments that promote identity, belonging, and stability. Kinship care is central to our vision of child and family-centred services, and we are committed to supporting carers throughout their journey, recognising the impact of trauma and the need for ongoing, tailored support.
The successful candidate will also work within the Adoption Team, undertaking adoption assessments and providing post-adoption support. We offer a responsive and flexible service to adoptive families in our community, recognising that support needs can vary over time and may be required long after an adoption order is granted. Our approach is trauma-informed, relationship-based, and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families.
We are looking for a practitioner who:
1. Has a strong understanding of kinship and adoptive care, and the impact of early adversity and trauma.
2. Can build meaningful relationships with children, families, and carers.
3. Is confident in managing complex and competing demands and can think creatively to meet needs.
4. Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
East Lothian Children’s Services offers:
5. A supportive and inclusive working environment
6. Regular supervision and manageable caseloads
7. Opportunities for professional development and service improvement
8. An accessible senior management team committed to staff wellbeing and service excellence
A full current driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential for this post.
For an informal discussion about this vacancy or working within East Lothian Children’s Services, please contact the recruitment manager using the details below.
Home / Hybrid Working Consideration
Applications for home or hybrid working will be considered for this post in accordance with East Lothian Council’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found. Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview.
Please Note:
All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction, and be on site in East Lothian workplaces, as required. Employees with a hybrid working arrangement in place will be office based and able to work from home, with permission, on an ad hoc basis.
Job Details
To provide an effective service to service users and their families/carers, promoting a high standard of practice, in accordance with statutory obligations, policies and procedures.