Are you looking for a leadership role where you can support the development of trauma responsive systems and the workforce in Scotland’s social work services?
This exciting opportunity is located within the Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser, and is responsible for delivering a programme of tailored implementation support and training, aligned to the National Trauma Transformation Programme (NTTP). This involves supporting social work leaders and their workforce to embed trauma enhanced approaches into their services, systems and practice, in line with the Transforming Psychological Trauma: A knowledge and skills framework for the Scottish workforce.
The Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser (OCSWA) is the key source in Scottish Government for professionally informed advice across the range of government policy and delivery related to social work and social care. The Trauma Responsive Social Work Services Programme workplan, developed in partnership with key stakeholders, includes actions to embed trauma knowledge and skills into social work education, improve access and build sustainability to training, and provide implementation support to develop trauma responsive social work services. The Partnership Delivery Group reports directly into the Social Work Education Partnership and the National Trauma Transformation Programme Steering Group.
Reporting to the Programme Lead, you will lead a small team who will support social work service providers to adopt organisation and system wide change and embed trauma responsive social work practices across children’s, adult and justice social work services in Scotland. The team work closely with the partners of the NTTP, including colleagues at NHS Education for Scotland, the Improvement Service (IS) and Resilience Learning Partnership.
The team provide advice to other policy areas on trauma responsive social work activity and are delivering on multiple Scottish Government priorities including The Promise, The Vision for Justice in Scotland, Community Justice Strategy, Mental Health Strategy, National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (updated 2023) and Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007: Code of Practice.
We actively encourage applications from those with lived experience of trauma and social work services.
This role is for a full time Fixed Term Appointment (with Fair and Open Competition) for a period of 23 months, with the possibility of extension up to 47 months. Two-year secondment opportunities will also be considered, as can alternative working hours and patterns.
•Lead a small team to deliver a programme of workforce support for the social work workforce, including support for operational middle and front-line social work leaders
•Lead in providing implementation support, consultancy and coaching to a range of social work services in children’s, adult and justice social work
•Coordinate team resources to ensure day to day delivery of high quality trainings for the social work workforce that include a programme of leadership support, focus on developing trauma responsive services, systems and workforces, understanding and working with those affected by complex trauma in a social work context, relationships based practices and recovery approaches, safety and stabilisation skills, power sharing with people with lived experience, understanding mental health in the context of trauma and supporting worker wellbeing and reflective practice approaches
•Provide direct line management to Implementation and Learning Practitioners
•Identify suitably experienced and skilled social work practitioners capable of accessing training for trainers, in order to build capacity across Scotland’s social work services
•Deliver train the trainers programmes for the social work profession, in line with the Scottish Psychological Trauma Training Plan
•Keep up to date with current, innovative and evidence-based approaches to developing trauma informed and responsive services, systems and workforces, to embed trauma enhanced practice that aligns with the Roadmap for Creating Trauma-Informed and Responsive Change: Guidance for Organisations, Systems and Workforces in Scotland (2023)
•Contribute to evaluation processes and work with key partners to share learning as part of the National Trauma Transformation Programme.
Competencies
Leading Others
People Management
Communications and Engagement
Improving Performance
Analysis and Use of Evidence
It is essential that you are a registered social worker, with the SSSC or equivalent body.
Essential Criteria
1. Demonstrate and evidence a high level of competence, effectiveness and extensive experience in trauma enhanced practice, with direct experience in providing advocacy, therapeutic support or interventions, taking account of trauma reactions and reducing risk of re-traumatisation, or management of these services (in line with the Transforming Psychological Trauma: A knowledge and Skills Framework for the Scottish Workforce and The Scottish Psychological Trauma Training Plan)
2. Experience in supporting the professional development and capabilities of others through coaching, education and training delivery, and staff management
3. Leadership experience in a social work role, including influencing and managing organisational change
4. Demonstrating a high level of self-awareness, with knowledge and skills in reflective practice approaches and its application in social work.
Location:
The Trauma Responsive Social Work Services Implementation Team will be required to travel to deliver training and implementation support across Scotland. A majority of this work can take place online.
The Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser is currently operating a flexible, hybrid working model including working from home. The Division is based in Victoria Quay, Edinburgh and also work in St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh.
The Trauma Responsive Social Work Services Implementation Team will be required to travel to deliver training and implementation support across Scotland.
The Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser is currently operating a flexible, hybrid working model including working from home. The Division is based across St Andrew's House, Edinburgh and Atlantic quay, Glasgow.
Interview and Assessment:
w/c Monday 10th June 2024 in person in Edinburgh.
Minimum Time in Post:
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
In the event that further posts are required, a reserve list of successful candidates will be kept for up to 12 months.
How to apply:
To apply for this post, you will need to provide the information requested below via the online application process.
Person_Specification_Band_C Updated Oct23 (V3)
You must fully complete and submit an online application via the website before the closing date using evidence based examples to demonstrate your knowledge/skills (300 words). Remember, your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion.
Additional Information:
You must discuss your intention to apply with your current line manager to help ensure early release.
The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.
For information regarding this post please contact Johnny Berwick at johnny.berwick@gov.scot
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