Job Description
Locum Team Leader – Children and Justice ServicesSouth Lanarkshire Council South Lanarkshire Council is seeking an experienced Locum Team Leader to join their Children's Services on a temporary basis. This is a key leadership role within Justice Services, providing management and professional oversight to a team of qualified social workers and para-professional staff, and ensuring high-quality service delivery in line with national and local standards.Assignment Details
* Location: Auchentibber Resource Centre, Blantyre
* Duration: Approx. 9 months (maternity cover)
* Start Date: December 2025 (or as soon as possible)
* Working Pattern: Full-time, Monday to Friday (including one late evening)
* Pay Rate:Negotiable depending on experience
The RoleAs Locum Team Leader, you will be responsible for the day-to-day management of a Social Work team. You will provide leadership, supervision and direction, ensure effective workload management, promote high standards of practice and contribute to service development and improvement. The role includes chairing reviews of Community Payback Orders, managing staff performance and working closely with partner agencies to support public protection and positive outcomes for service users.Key Responsibilities
* Line management and supervision of qualified social workers and para-professional staff
* Allocation and oversight of work, ensuring effective caseload and workload management
* Chairing reviews of Community Payback Orders imposed by the Courts
* Leading and contributing to multi-agency meetings, including child and adult protection where required
* Monitoring quality, performance and compliance with national and local standards
* Supporting service improvement, development and best practice
* Ensuring council policies, procedures and professional standards are consistently applied
Essential Requirements
* Social Work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, BA or equivalent)
* SSSC registration
* Significant post-qualifying experience within Justice Social Work
* Proven experience of team management or leadership in a statutory social work setting
* Strong knowledge of risk assessment and management
* Excellent communication, organisational and decision-making skills
* Ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities in a demanding environment
Desirable
* Experience specifically within Unpaid Work Services
* Experience chairing multi-agency meetings
* Familiarity with tools such as LSCMI and other justice-related assessment frameworks
* Experience contributing to service development and improvement initiatives
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