Job Description
CF Children, Education and Justice Services
Social Worker – Child Protection Resource/Scottish Child Interview Model (SCIM) Team
Waverley Court
Salary: £37, - £44,
Hours: 36 per week
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a position within City of Edinburgh’s Child Protection Resource, Scottish Child Interview Model Team (SCIM).
The post is a permanent social work post within CEC Children’s Services; however, we are currently undertaking a whole service re-design therefore there may be a requirement for the successful candidate to be placed elsewhere in the service, pending the outcome of the re-design.
The training involved in becoming a SCIM interviewer is a significant commitment, and it is expected that the appointee will continue to be involved in conducting SCIM interviews beyond this time, irrespective of the longer-term structure of the SCIM team following the service re-design.
This opportunity will involve joining the National Joint Interview Training Programme, beginning on 13th January. The training involves 30 days of face-to-face training over 3 modules, with reading and course work in addition.
The SCIM Team, have been operational since February. They are an integral element of the child protection process, undertaking trauma informed joint investigative interviews with children who may have experienced or witnessed abuse or neglect, in partnership with police.
There are currently two Senior Practitioners and a Team Leader working in the team.
The Senior Practitioners also undertake SCIM interviews and assessments, however in addition hold further responsibilities in relation to data gathering, analysis of data, feedback from children and families and learning/development forums.
The team are based within the Sycamore Partnership building, which brings together NHS Lothian, Police Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Midlothian Council and East Lothian Council.
The SCIM team work closely with their colleagues in the Child Protection Resource and there will be an expectation that the successful applicant will work within the CP Resource until their SCIM training is complete and beyond as required.
Prospective applicants must be a qualified social worker and should meet the following criteria:
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the child protection process, from IRD to conclusion and how Joint Investigative Interviews inform this.
• Demonstrate experience of undertaking child protection assessments
• Demonstrate that their practice is trauma informed.
• Demonstrate the ability to work well in a multi-agency partnership to keep children safe
• Demonstrate leadership capacity and confidence in being an active participant in the planning, briefing and de-briefing for joint investigative interviews
• Demonstrate an understanding of quality assurance work, how feedback from children and their families is used to improve practice
• Have an understanding of children’s rights and the national implementation of UNCRC • Demonstrate a strength and solution-based approach to operational service challenges
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development
Please note these positions are full time and office based 5 days per week.