Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency
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Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency
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The Scottish Government provided pay range
This range is provided by The Scottish Government. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
Base pay range
This is an exceptional and pivotal opportunity for the right social work leader to guide the creation of the new National Social Work Agency and to have a lasting influence on the future of the social work profession in Scotland.
The National Chief Social Work Adviser is now embedded in legislation for the first time. This signifies the importance of the profession to national government and the vital contribution social workers make to our public services.
Uniquely, the role combines the responsibilities of the National Chief Social Work Adviser with that of the Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency. The role will have an exceptional and powerful platform to influence national policy and practice, and to create a positive, lasting impact on the social work profession and enhance the wellbeing of people in Scotland.
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 new role. 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.
In this dual role, you will provide strategic and organisational leadership to the NSWA, as a new executive agency, while also serving as the principal adviser to Scottish Ministers on all matters relating to social work. You 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. You 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 SG Directors from across Justice, Health and Children and Families to oversee the transition process.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead the successful establishment of the National Social Work Agency (NSWA) in Spring 2026, ensuring senior leadership and staff are credible, quickly embedded, and focused on delivering the Agency’s mission.
* Provide high-quality, timely, and well-informed professional advice to Scottish Ministers and Government officials on statutory responsibilities as they relate to social work and social care, social work practice and provision, regardless of setting.
* Champion national leadership for the social work profession, working closely with Chief Social Work Officers across all 32 local authorities to promote professional accountability and drive service improvement.
* Strategically lead the NSWA, ensuring social work has a strong voice in national policy development, and collaborate across government and with the Scottish Social Work Partnership to align policy with frontline practice and implementation.
* Contribute to national policy development across the Scottish Government, advising on the implications of new legislation and government initiatives for the social work profession, and working collaboratively to find practical, consensus-driven solutions that improve outcomes.
* Challenge traditional models of service delivery, advocating for preventative approaches, cross-sector collaboration, continuous learning, and evidence-informed practice to drive transformation in the sector.
* Foster strong, collaborative relationships with key partners and stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of the NSWA, the profession, and social work services across Scotland.
* 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.
* Act as the public face of the NSWA, ensuring robust governance, transparency, and accountability, and clearly demonstrating the Agency’s impact and value both within and beyond government.
* Be a senior leader within Scottish Government, cultivating a kind, inclusive, and values-led organisational culture where all staff feel respected, empowered, and supported.
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 a qualified social worker, registered with one of the UK regulators. The successful applicant will be registered with the SSSC.
Experience
* Extensive experience and significant achievements within social work and services management at Director / Chief Executive or Chief Social Work Officer level or comparable senior level of responsibility with the ability to adopt an inspirational and collaborative leadership style
* Ability to build and maintain ambitious partnerships and trusted relationships across senior leadership and high-profile external stakeholders, including Ministers that generate confidence, respect and collaborative working
* Current knowledge of social work services, strengths and challenges and awareness of emerging themes
* Extensive experience leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of complex policy and legislative frameworks at a senior or director level.
Behaviours: Level 6
* 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 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
How To Apply
Candidates must apply online, providing a CV and supporting statement (of no more than 1500 words) that directly addresses the Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above. General or unrelated statements will not be accepted and may result in your application being sifted out. Please ensure your statement clearly demonstrates how you meet the specified experience requirements.
During the interview and assessment process we will test your skills and experience as well as behaviours aligned to this role.
If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection and assessment process. This will include an individual psychological assessment and a stakeholder engagement exercise.
Assessments are scheduled for the weeks commencing 22nd of September however this may be subject to change.
The Final Interview Panel Will Take Place In Person In St Andrews House, Regent Road Edinburgh EH1 3DG On The 30th Of September, Interviews Will Be Chaired By Liz Walmsley, Commission. The Other Panel Members Are
Neil Rennick - DG of Education and Justice, Scottish Government
Iona Colvin – Chief Social Work Adviser, Scottish Government
Eddie Fraser – Non-Executive Director, SOLACE
About Us
The National Social Work Agency will be an executive agency of the devolved government for Scotland – further information on the functions and purpose of the NSWA is included in the Landing Page. Now recruiting: Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency - Scottish Government Jobs
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 including favourable Pension arrangements. 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 scsresourcing@gov.scot
From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time either in an office or other agreed work location.
Location
Location of the NSWA is yet to be confirmed but may be either Edinburgh or Glasgow. The OCSWA team currently operates hybrid work across a number of locations including Edinburgh and Glasgow
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.
For further information please visit our landing page Now recruiting: Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency - Scottish Government Jobs
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