Children’s Reporter, Highland, Moray and Eilean Siar

At SCRA, our Mission is to protect and uphold the rights of Scotland’s children and young people, making decisions in a compassionate, inclusive and trauma informed way. We are seeking candidates who share, and can demonstrate, our Values of being Supportive, Child Centred, Respectful and Accountable.

Working at the heart of Scotland’s unique care, protection and justice system for children, as a Children’s Reporter your primary purpose will be to decide whether a child should be referred to a children’s Hearing for consideration of compulsory measures of supervision and to conduct court proceedings to establish facts. You will manage the competing demands of a challenging case load. Utilising effective communication skills, you will investigate and respond to referrals from partner agencies such as social work and the police or from members of the public. Based on investigations tailored to the needs of a child, you will make informed decisions regarding the need to refer a child to a children’s Hearing. You will support fair process within children’s Hearings and prepare and conduct court proceedings. With comprehensive training and support you will present evidence in court to establish facts, or to promote a Hearing’s decision where that decision is supportable.

Qualified to degree level or equivalent in social work, law or another relevant discipline, you will bring at least two years’ experience in a similar fast-paced environment. You will bring experience of analysing and assimilating information to make evidence-based decisions, along with the ability to use digital technology to deliver a service. Personal resilience and an ability to work at pace are essential.

We are committed to your growth and wellbeing. You will receive comprehensive learning and development within a supportive working environment. If you share our Values this is an exciting opportunity to shape a positive future for children and young people in Scotland.

You are required to undertake, and successfully complete, a mandatory accredited training programme which will lead to the award of the recognised Professional Development Award for Children’s Reporter Practice within two years of appointment to this post.

The requirement to successfully complete the Award within these timescales includes if you move into another related role before completion, e.g. if you are recruited into a promoted post of Senior Practitioner or Locality Reporter Manager.

Applications for this post must be made through SCRA’s website where you will find details of all current vacancies.