Team Leader - Children's Services - MID07575

This is a pivotal role at the front door of our service where, alongside the other Duty Team Leader, you will provide leadership, oversight and direction to a busy duty team ensuring children and families receive timely, effective and compassionate support. Located within our Dalkeith Children's Services office, the team consists of 7 social workers, 2 children's practitioners and 2 team leaders, working closely with colleagues across the service and partner agencies to deliver support across Midlothian., As Duty Team Leader, you will:

• Lead and support a team of social workers and children's practitioners in a fast-paced duty environment
• Oversee decision-making, ensuring timely, proportionate responses that promote early help and prevention
• Drive high-quality practice that focuses on building strengths-based relationships with children, families and partners
• Ensure risks are identified and managed effectively, supporting positive outcomes and recovery where needed
• Provide reflective supervision, alongside support and guidance, to promote good practice and develop a skilled, sustainable workforce
• Work collaboratively with partners to deliver joined-up, child-centred services, This is an exciting opportunity to influence front-line practice and make a real difference at the first point of contact. You will play a key role in shaping how we respond to families, ensuring that every interaction is purposeful, supportive and focused on long-term positive change.
  
  We are looking for an experienced and motivated Duty Team Leader to join our Children's Services social work team, leading with our core principles of relationships, prevention and recovery, We are seeking a confident and experienced leader who:
• Has substantial experience within Children's Services, including child protection and assessment
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure
• Is committed to relationship-based practice and improving outcomes for children and families
• Understands the importance of early help, prevention, and recovery-focused approaches
• Can inspire, support, and challenge a team to deliver high standards of practice, Extensive technical and specialist knowledge is required and underpinned by both breadth and depth of knowledge likely to be gained by the acquisition of formal qualifications such as a degree. A considerable period of relevant working experience will be needed to perform competently and jobholders may contribute to internal working parties considering the operational implications of external change.
The jobholder must hold a Diploma or Degree in an appropriate social work discipline that is recognised by the SSSC with substantial experience in family placement and/or children and families social work. The job holder must have or be working towards a management qualification within a three year period. To deliver the remit of this post also requires the jobholder to keep abreast of current developments in the fields of Children & Families along with current and future legislation changes that impact on the service. S/he will have experience of working within a multi-agency environment and an in-depth knowledge of working with children's establishments in addition to experience of managing a professional staff team and/or managing/leading on a project. Previous management experience with budget responsibility and excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential to the role.


• A supportive leadership team with opportunities for group supervision and reflection
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• A service that is committed to getting it right for children and families through recovery, prevention, and relationships
• Competitive salary, with appointment at a point commensurate with experience