Details
Reference number
431296
Salary
£93,667 - £97,451
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
Job grade
SCS Pay Band 1
Contract type
Permanent
Type of role
Senior leadership
Working pattern
Full-time
Number of jobs available
1
Contents
* Location
* About the job
* Benefits
* Things you need to know
* Apply and further information
Location
Edinburgh, Glasgow
About the job
Job summary
This is an exceptional and pivotal opportunity for the right social work leader to support the National Chief Social Work Adviser (NCSWA).
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader committed to shaping the future of social work, to champion advances for the profession and bring exceptional professional credibility to the role of Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser. They will be prepared to challenge both national and local approaches to policy development and implementation. They will uphold a collective commitment to improve outcomes for people guided by person-led principles and underpinned by social justice and human rights.
They will provide strategic and organisational leadership to the NSWA, as a new executive agency, while also serving as a principal adviser to Scottish Ministers on all matters relating to social work. They will shape national government policy across all subject areas, impacting the delivery of social work services, respond to emerging challenges, and ensure that social work practice across Scotland is informed, consistent, and achieves the highest standards. They will have a strong voice within the Scottish Government, be a champion for the cross-cutting nature of social work and work across and influence the many policy areas which impact on social work and which rely on the profession to deliver improved outcomes for the people of Scotland.
Collaboration with social work sector partners is vital, with local government, local leaders and social work employers. The Scottish Social Work Partnership is being formed; an alliance, between NSWA, COSLA and Social Work Scotland, with involvement with sector partners. As a principal partner in the partnership, you will 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.
The NSWA will be formed from the existing Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser, located within the Children and Families Directorate of the Scottish Government. This is currently a staff team of 40 comprising a mix of both civil servants and professional social work advisers, the headcount of the NSWA will remain similar in number. It is currently operating in shadow mode, ahead of the go live date of spring 2026, and reports to a Shadow Programme Board made up of Scottish Government Directors from across Justice, Health and Social Care, and Children and Families to oversee the transition process.
Job description
* With the National Chief Social Work Adviser, lead the successful establishment of the NSWA, demonstrating credible leadership and a clear focus on delivering its purpose from launch in Spring 2026.
* Deliver high-quality, timely professional advice to Scottish Ministers and Government officials on statutory responsibilities as they relate to social work and social care practice and provision, regardless of setting.
* With the NCSWA provide strategic leadership of the NSWA, ensuring social work has a strong voice within Scottish Government, advocating for the profession in national policy development and collaborating across government to ensure policy aligns with frontline practice and implementation.
* Promote professional leadership for the profession, working closely with partners to advance professional accountability, and drive service improvement across the sector.
* Contribute to national policy development across the Scottish Government, advising on the implications of new legislation and government initiatives for the social work profession, working collaboratively to find practical, consensus-driven solutions that improve outcomes
* Challenge traditional models of service delivery, advocating for preventative approaches and the commitment to keep the Promise to care-experienced children and young people,cross-sector collaboration, continuous learning, and evidence-informed practice to drive transformation in the sector.
* Promote the vital role of social work in protecting vulnerable individuals and groups, raising standards, and developing a confident, competent, and valued workforce focused on service user needs.
* Lead national policy forums and represent the NSWA and Scottish Ministers as required, fostering strong, collaborative relationships with key partners to enhance the effectiveness of the NSWA, the profession, and social work services across Scotland.
* Support the NCSWA in overseeing the day-to-day operation and performance of the NSWA, leading a team of professional social work advisers working across justice, children and adults social work policy.
Person specification
Success Profile
It is essential that you can provide evidence in your application of the professional experience and skills required for this role. In addition, candidates applying for roles with the government agencies and public bodies in Scotland are assessed in line with the Success Profiles framework that is used across the Civil Service. This means that as well as evidencing the professional experience and skills you will also be expected to evidence behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service role.
Qualifications
Professional Registration - it is essential that you are qualified social worker, registered with one of the UK regulators. The successful applicant will be required to be registered with the SSSC.
Experience:
* Extensive background in senior social work leadership, at Head of Service or CSWO level, or comparable senior level of responsibility
* Current knowledge of social work services, strengths and challenges and awareness of emerging themes and issues.
* Strong understanding of the Scottish political and policy landscape, with experience contributing to national reform agendas and aligning services with strategic priorities.
* Skilled in navigating complex systems and multi-agency environments to deliver integrated, person-centred services.
* Proven ability to work across organisational boundaries, to build and maintain partnerships and relationships across stakeholders and politicians that generates confidence, respect and collaborative working.
Behaviours: Level 5
* Leadership
* Changing and Improving
* Making Effective Decision
* Managing a Quality Service
* Communicating and Influencing
You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Success Profiles - Civil Service Behaviours )
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £93,667, Scottish Government contributes £27,135 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* 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
Selection process details
How to apply
Candidates must apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1500 words) It is essential that you provide evidence in your application of the professional experience and skills required for this role. In addition, candidates are required to evidence Success Profile behaviours at the level required for this Senior Civil Service 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 and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and psychometric assessment with the Keil Centre. Assessments are scheduled take place in person at St Andrews House, Edinburgh, EH1 3DG W/C 01 December 2025, however this may be subject to change. Interviews will be chaired by Andrew Watson – Director for Children and Families. The other panel Members are:
* Iona Colvin – Chief Social Work Adviser
* Elaine Lothian – HR Business partner – DG Education and Justice
* Eddie Fraser – Non Executive Director
About us
The National Social Work Agency will be an executive agency of the devolved government for Scotland. It will become operational from Spring 2026.
The Scottish Government has responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.
Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 37 hours per week; we offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Further information
Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.
Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check .
See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Medical
Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.
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)
* 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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code 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 .
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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .
Apply and further information
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name : Andrew Watson
* Email :
Recruitment team
* Email :
Further information
https://fa-evxn-