Social Worker (SCIM Joint Investigative Interviewer) – Children’s Services
Salary: £40,501 – £47,639 per year.
Hours: 36 per week.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a SCIM (Scottish Child Interview Model) social worker within the Child Protection Resource in Edinburgh. The team is based within the Sycamore Partnership building, bringing together NHS Lothian, Police Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council and East Lothian Council.
SCIM is well established in Edinburgh, having commenced implementation in February 2023. The successful applicant will undertake SCIM joint investigative interviews with children who may have experienced or witnessed abuse or neglect, in partnership with police, and will provide support and assessment for children and families, considering any unmet needs and ongoing risk.
The role also requires the applicant to be confident in providing assessment work within the wider Child Protection Resource prior to becoming trained as a SCIM JII interviewer, and beyond as required.
Training will be provided – the National Joint Interview Training Programme includes 30 days of face‑to‑face training over 3 modules, plus reading and coursework.
Key responsibilities include:
* Undertaking SCIM joint investigative interviews with children.
* Assessing children and families for unmet needs and risks.
* Contributing to planning, briefing and debriefing discussions for joint investigative interviews.
* Supporting quality assurance and using child views to inform service improvement.
* Working collaboratively with a multi‑agency partnership to keep children safe.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must be a qualified social worker and meet the following criteria:
* Sound understanding of the child protection process, from IRD to conclusion and of how Joint Investigative Interviews inform this.
* Experience of undertaking child protection assessments.
* Trauma‑informed practice.
* Ability to work well in a multi‑agency partnership to keep children safe.
* Ability to contribute actively to planning for joint investigative interviews, briefing and debriefing discussion.
* Understanding of the benefits of quality assurance and the need to support children to provide their views to inform service improvement.
* Understanding of children’s rights and national implementation of the UNCRC.
* Strength‑and‑solution‑based approach to operational service challenges.
* Commitment to continuous professional development.
Equality and Diversity
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce and encourage applications from people from minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, care‑experienced people, carers, LGBT+ people and women for senior roles. Disabled and care‑experienced applicants who meet the minimum job criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
All applicants will be considered fairly based on skills and experience.
Applicants will be required to join or be added to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007 scheme and may need an Overseas Criminal Record Check if spent 3 months or more overseas in the last 5 years. An unconditional offer will be subject to satisfactory checks.
Job Information
* Job Identification: 14314
* Job Category: Social Services / Social Work / Social Care
* Posting Date: 04/22/2026
* Apply Before: 05/06/2026
* Degree Level: SCQF 10 – Degree (Honours)
* Job Schedule: Full time
* Location: Waverley Court
* Contract Type: Permanent
* Annual Working Duration: 52 weeks
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