Senior Social Worker (Justice) - Edinburgh Sheriff Court
Job Description
Senior Social Worker (Justice)
Edinburgh Sheriff Court
Salary: £46,023- £54,476 (pro-rata for part-time)
Hours: 18 per week, 52 weeks
We are looking for an enthusiastic person to join us as Senior Social Worker in the Court Social Work Team. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to work within a professional, dedicated and supportive team and service.
Accountable to the Team Leader, the post holder will: ensure a high quality of practice is provided and maintained, appropriate services are delivered to meet service users’ needs within the Council’s statutory obligations, policies and procedures; provide professional support, supervision and leadership to a group of staff, whilst maintaining a direct involvement in social work practice; represent and promote the Council at multi-agency meetings, with local community groups and be a department representative at a range of information sharing and risk planning forums.
Edinburgh Justice Services are committed to providing high quality services while ensuring a compassionate approach to people accessing our services and supporting staff wellbeing. We offer a high level of training to support continuous professional development and to deliver a broad range of interventions, including established, accredited, group work programmes.
The post holder will work in a busy Court-based team, working collaboratively with colleagues within and out with Justice services in line with relevant legislation, public protection and other national and departmental policy and procedures. Specific tasks of the Court Team include:
Undertaking assessments in relation to Bail Supervision and Justice Social Work Reports
Liaising with partner agencies e.g., housing, mental health and substance use services
If you would like to have an informal discussion about this post, please email Duncan.Gourlay@edinburgh.gov.uk
Candidates will have a Social Work qualification recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and be registered, or eligible to register, with the SSSC. In addition, they will be trained in and have extensive experience of using risk assessment tools and leading risk management processes.
This post is regulated work with children and/or protected adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidate will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check. Where an individual has spent a continuous period of 3 months or more out with the UK in the last 5 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check. Anunconditional offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of both these pre-employment checks being deemed satisfactory.
We're committed to creating a workplace culture where all our people feel valued, included and able to be their best at work, and we recognise the benefits that a diverse workforce with different values, beliefs, experience, and backgrounds brings to us as an organisation.
As part of our goal to improve our organisational culture and create a great place to work together for the people of Edinburgh, we want to make sure that we’re bringing the best people into our roles, not just in their skills and experience but also in their approach to work.
To help achieve this, we’re changing the way we interview and assess candidates by moving from a competency-based interview approach to a behavioural and technical (skills for the job) based approach. This new way of interviewing will allow us to assess how you think and how you would bring Our Behaviours of Respect, Integrity and Flexibility into your ways of working.
Our salary range typically reflects the initial starting salary and annually increases until it reaches the top of the range.
* Experience of effective partnership working within a multi-agency environment
* Experience of multi-agency meetings e.g. MAPPA, risk management case conferences, child and adult protection case conferences, Integrated Case Management Meetings
* Experience of applying risk assessment tools and in engaging in risk management processes
* Experience of working with individuals with complex needs, including trauma survivors, and those experiencing mental health problems.
* Experience of criminal justice social work management (Desirable)
* Non-criminal justice social work management experience (Desirable)
* Experience of delivering structured interventions with complex populations individually and in groups (Desirable)
* Experience in a leadership role through innovation and/or service development (Desirable)
* Experience in quality assurance and service improvement. (Desirable)
Knowledge, Skills and Understanding:
* Understanding and experience of implementing effective social work intervention with people subject to statutory supervision
* Knowledge of the wider criminal justice system
* Knowledge of National Outcomes and Standards in Criminal Justice Social Work
* Knowledge of legislation and policies in relation to criminal justice social work, child and adult protection
* Ability to develop relationships, and maintain a boundaried and consistent approach working with and responding to people affected by trauma, whilst working to relevant risk assessment and other council policies and procedures
* Ability to work closely and in collaboration with a range of agencies and professionals, in responding systemically to the risks to and needs of women, men and children
* Demonstrable leadership skills including a strong ability to contribute to and support others through change, service developments and service improvements
* Knowledge and understanding of social work supervision (Desirable)
* Knowledge and understanding of the impact of trauma into adulthood, trauma enhanced practice and evidence-based approaches when working with complex trauma survivors (Desirable)
* Knowledge of Scottish Government key policies, priorities and outcomes in relation to the Criminal Justice system (Desirable)
* Knowledge of the research on effective practice with people involved in offending behaviour (Desirable)
* Understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on adults and children (Desirable)
* Knowledge of child protection and vulnerable adult processes and procedures (Desirable)
* Knowledge of groupwork theory and skills in facilitating groups (Desirable)
* Good IT skills and experience of using Microsoft Office applications. (Desirable)
Qualifications and Training:
* Social work qualification recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
* Registration with SSSC
* Adherence to the values and principles enshrined in the SSSC Code of Practice
* A desire to develop professional knowledge, skills and practice through training and continuous professional development opportunities
* Post qualifying training in leadership or management. (Desirable)
* Training in and experience of the use of a wide range of approved risk assessment tools (Desirable)
* Other relevant training (e.g. MF:MC, Caledonian, Safe and Together). (Desirable)
Job Specific Requirements:
* An ability to work to prescribed accredited standards and manuals and Criminal Justice, and organisational, procedures and policy
* Some evening working may be required
* An understanding of the issues around managing change in self, others or organisations
* An understanding of professional and personal authority, how to exercise discretion and how to use it appropriately
* An ability to communicate and engage with others
* An ability to establish and maintain working relationships with people accessing services
* An ability to reflect on practice – self, others and the organisation
* An understanding of assessment and management issues in relation to risk and need
* An ability to undertake assessments
* An understanding of and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice
* Ability to support social workers to assist them in implementing Trauma Informed Care and Safe and Together principles, utilising components when they are undertaking assessments, interviews, documentation and case planning (Desirable)
* Experience of leading others in aspects of organisational change (Desirable)
* Understanding of the potential impact of trauma work on professionals, interpersonal relationships and the importance of selfcare, working in justice services. (Desirable)
About Us
THE CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL
About Us:
Are you keen to shape the future of Scotland’s capital city? The City of Edinburgh Council is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals to work with us and deliver key services across our capital city. We’re the second largest local authority in Scotland with a workforce of over 19,000 who all play a crucial role in maintaining and supporting vital services to over 500,000 residents. We offer an incredible variety of career opportunities across a broad range of sectors. Join us and you’ll find a role where you can make a difference and grow your career.
Our Culture:
Our Behaviours, respect, integrity, and flexibility guide everything that we do, and we strive to make sure all colleagues feel valued and have a sense of belonging in the workplace. We want to make sure that we bring people into our roles who demonstrate Our Behaviours and are dedicated and committed to our purpose of serving our community. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service to meet citizens needs and make the city a better place.
We recognise the benefits that diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds bring to our organisation, and we’re committed to employing a workforce that represents the population of the city we serve. We particularly encourage applicants from under-represented groups including women, LGBT+ people, racially minoritised groups, people with disabilities and people who are neurodivergent.
As part of our commitment to inclusive recruitment, we're delighted to announce that we have extended our guaranteed interview scheme to include all applicants who are or have been care experienced, and who meet the essential criteria for the post. This extends our current arrangements of being a Disability Confident Employer, that guarantee an interview to applicants who meet the criteria for the post and who declare a disability.
Happy to talk flexible working.
Colleague Support and Wellbeing
As outlined in our People Strategy 2024-27, we aim to nurture a healthy workforce where we can all thrive. We offer regular events, initiatives and learning opportunities covering a range of different health and wellbeing topics.
We’re committed to supporting employees to achieve a healthy work life balance. There are several policies in place to support this ranging from flexible work options to career breaks. Our full suite of employment policies can be found here.
We have a range of support options available including access to counselling, a mental health support service, an occupational health service, speak up supporters and a colleague listening service.
Reasonable Adjustments:
We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience at work for all our colleagues and we’ll work hard to ensure that we meet the changing needs of colleagues throughout their time with us. We’re also geared up to support all candidates who may require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. Candidates invited for interview, should let the hiring manager know what they need, and they will do everything they can to accommodate your request.
Job Info
* Job Identification 13023
* Job Category Social Services / Social Work / Social Care
* Posting Date 01/09/2026, 10:34 AM
* Apply Before 01/23/2026, 11:55 PM
* Degree Level SCQF 9 - SVQ 4, Degree (Ordinary), Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma
* Job Schedule Part time
* Locations Edinburgh Sheriff Court Grindlay Court Social Work Centre
* Contract Type Permanent
* Annual Working Duration 52 Weeks
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