Professional Justice Social Work Adviser (Req 4202

Do you want an exciting opportunity to join the National Social Work Agency (NSWA) as Professional Social Work Adviser for Justice Social Work (JSW)?

You will be based in the NSWA, working alongside Scottish Government (SG) and Scottish Prison Service (SPS) officials, social work managers, practitioners and key stakeholders in a professional social work adviser role. This impactful role will focus, in particular on leading on a review to consider and develop the current provision of prison based social work (PBSW) across the SPS estate and offers the chance to make a real difference for those living and working within the prison estate.

You will provide professionally-based expertise and advice across the NSWA, SPS and SG Community Justice policy division relating to PBSW. As part of a broader team of Professional Social Work Advisers, they will also provide support to the National Chief Social Work Adviser and depute, on relevant issues and offer professional advice on broader justice social work issues and links with other areas of social work.

Collaboration with social work sector partners is vital, with local government, local leaders and social work employers. The Scottish Social Work Partnership has been formed; an alliance, between NSWA, COSLA and Social Work Scotland, with involvement with sector partners. As a principal partner in the partnership, you will help drive forward the joint vision for a skilled, supported and sustainable workforce one that is equipped to meet the needs of Scotlands people now and in the future. There will be an expectation that the post holder will be able to travel to prison establishments as the role will necessitate regular engagement with prison based teams and in person meetings.

• To work collaboratively with the SPS, SG and key stakeholders on all aspects of prison based social work service provision.
• To support SPS policy officials in consideration of implications of wider population management strategies on PBSW workforce
• To inform and influence consideration of the role and responsibilities of PBSW as part of the SPS Prisoner Pathway Programme (which is revising and reviewing case management)
• To respond to national initiatives arising from strategic developments such as recommendations from the Penal Policy and Sentencing Commission and Care Inspectorate thematic reviews of prison based social work.
• To attend relevant strategic meetings to offer professional advice and expertise as required.

Professional registration

• It is essential that you are a registeredsocial worker with the SSSC or equivalent body.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience in social work management in justice social work or equivalent, (experience of managing Prison Based Social Work teams is desirable but not essential).

• Possess comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of justice social work services, including strengths, pressures, and emerging priorities for Prison Based Social Work Services

• Demonstrable experience in the delivery of social work services and working within professional standards

• Proven ability to work collaboratively with other agencies and organisations to deliver positive outcomes

• An understanding of Government and the political context in Scotland and the ability to operate effectively within it.

Essential Criteria

You will be able to demonstrate and evidence a high level of competence and effectiveness in:

• Professional credibility and standing with a successful track record at a senior social work level
• Leadership providing direction, delivering results, building on relationships and capacity for change
• Delivery of transformational programmes or pieces of work in a multi-agency context that take an inclusive and empowering approach
• Strong focus on outcomes and on achieving improvements for users of services to reduce risks of reoffending
• Excellent influencing skills ability to form effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, that generate confidence, respect and collaborative working
• Excellent oral and written communication skills particularly on complex and/or sensitive issues;
• The ability to analyse information and provide succinct reports.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in a prison based social work team and/or a working knowledge of current issues.
• Experience of taking an approach that considers service delivery through a process of self-evaluation, performance reporting and quality assurance.
• Evidence of a commitment to professional development.