Advertised from 25 July 2025

Role

Social Work Scotland is the professional body for social work managers and leaders. We exist to promote and support the development of the social work profession, and to inform, influence and improve public policy and social services.

We have an exciting opportunity for 2 qualified and registered social workers with experience of children and families social work to join a multi-agency team with a remit to deliver the National Inter-agency Referral Discussion (IRD) Learning and Development Programme. All applicants should have knowledge and experience of child protection and GIRFEC, and relevant legislation, policy and practice in Scotland.

The successful candidate will deliver the training programme to police, social work and health IRD participants, support the programme of ongoing practice evaluation and contribute to ongoing development of the programme.

The work will require travel across Scotland to deliver training in local areas.

The successful candidate should be an experienced social work professional, committed to working on a multi-agency basis, applying trauma informed practice and focused on the rights and needs of children and families and with experience or evidence of capacity in relation to training.

About IRD team:

Social Work Scotland support several projects, including the newly established National Inter-agency Referral Discussion (IRD) practice team. IRD practice is identified as a cornerstone of the child protection system. This process is key to ensuring risk to a child or young person is mitigated and appropriate support is put in place.

Working collaboratively as part of a team from social work, police and health, the IRD team will deliver a national learning and development programme for IRDs to build specialist knowledge and skills to enhance the protection of children. Delivery of the programme will be in local areas across the country to support consistency of practice based on the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 – updated 2023. 

Work by the National Team contributes directly to policy and practice developments in the wider children’s services landscape, including, but not limited to, The Promise, UNCRC, Bairns’ Hoose, Age of Criminal Responsibility and implementation of the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland.

Application notes

An application pack is available for download below.

Completed application form should be sent to admin@socialworkscotland.org by 23:59 on Sunday 24th August.

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