Description Job Description Are you looking for a role that offers high profile, varied and rewarding work in an area that impacts the lives of everyone in Scotland? This is an exciting opportunity to join the Office of the Chief Social Work Adviser (OCSWA) as Deputy Chief Social Work Adviser. OCSWA is responsible for advising Ministers and policy teams with an interest in all aspects of social work policy and practice, including: children’s, adults and justice social work. Additionally, OCSWA provides cross governmental policy input in areas including health and social care, mental health, early learning, prisons and all aspects of public protection. You will provide support to the Chief Social Work Adviser and will lead on all aspects of children’s social work, working closely with the Director of Children and Families and the policy teams within that directorate. You will also work closely with the Chief Social Work Adviser (CSWA) to ensure the provision of professionally-informed advice across government policy with a specific focus on children’s services. Please note that this post is a fixed term appointment of 6 months with possibility for extension based on business needs. Responsibilities Provide high quality and timely professional advice to Scottish Ministers and Scottish Government officials about all aspects of social work provision and practice, with a particular focus on vulnerable children. Proactive identification and analysis of relevant trends, issues and options that could shape future policy. Encourage professional leadership and accountability throughout the social work and wider social services workforce to support improvement in the quality of service. Progress the contribution of social work in protecting vulnerable individuals and groups, helping to maintain the confidence of the public and stakeholders in the quality of care and social work services. Establish and sustain effective engagement with all relevant stakeholders, in particular those focusing on children and families, including the National Child Protection Leadership Group, Children and Families National Leadership Group, Whole Family Wellbeing Fund, the Promise and GIRFEC. Promote the raising of standards and the development of a confident, competent and valued social services workforce with a focus on the needs of the service user and embedding of effective professional governance. Challenge conventional approaches to delivery of social work services within and beyond Scottish Government to support improvement and transformation in the sector. Responsibilities Qualifications Candidates must be a registered social worker with the SSSC or equivalent body. Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills: Policy Context and Purpose – Level 2 Multilevel Government – Level 2 You can find out more about the skills required here. Experience: Extensive experience in social work including service management at a senior level in children’s social work. Current knowledge of children’s social work services, strengths and challenges and awareness of emerging themes. Experience in the development and delivery of social work, social care policy and services. Including delivering on requirements for regulation and development of the social services workforce. Behaviours: Changing and Improving – Level 4 Leadership – Level 4 You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here: Behaviour levels - Success profiles: candidate guide - gov.scot How to apply Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1500 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for 16th May onwards however this may be subject to change. Qualifications About Us The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have 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. 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 35 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. 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 any enquires on this post during the w/c 14/04/25 please contact OCSWAgov.scot. This post will require some expectation for travel to stakeholder and internal office meetings.