Children's Services Practitioner - Hawthorn Family Learning Centre x2 - MID07142

Midlothian Council; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in the United Kingdom is seeking two dedicated Children's Services Practitioners to provide tailored support for families. This role involves working closely with the Children’s Services team and requires relevant practitioner-level qualifications such as HNC Childhood Practice. The successful candidates will demonstrate experience in working with children and families, ensuring positive outcomes for those served.

Qualifications

• Must hold at least a practitioner level qualification.
• Experience in an Early Learning Centre or Children Services provision preferred.
• Must have an up to date first aid and food hygiene certificate.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the Children’s Services team to provide support.
• Deliver tailored support to promote positive outcomes for children.
• Maintain knowledge of early years practices and legislation.

Skills

Experience working with families

Self-motivated

Understanding of children's development

Knowledge of early years practice

Ability to engage with statutory services

Education

HNC Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 7

SVQ Social Services (Children & Young People) at SCQF 7

SVQ 3 Child Care and Education

SVQ 3 Early Years Care and Education

Job description

Job Vacancy

Hawthorn is seeking a dedicated Children’s Services Practitioner (CSP) to join our team. One of the available positions will be based within our newly established Outreach Service, which works in partnership with external agencies to support families across Midlothian.

In this role, practitioners will collaborate closely with the wider Children’s Services team to deliver tailored support that promotes positive outcomes for children and their families. The successful candidate will have experience working with families and demonstrate confidence and competence in engaging with statutory social work services.

We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, able to manage their own diary effectively, and committed to improving the lives of children and their families.

KNOWLEDGE:

Post holder must hold at least a practitioner level qualification - HNC Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 7; or SVQ Social Services (Children & Young people) at SCQF 7.

or equivalents that meet the requirements for SSSC (Scottish Social Services Council) registration as a practitioner in day care of children e.g.

• SVQ 3 Child Care and Education
• SVQ 3 Early Years Care and Education
• SVQ Children’s Care learning and Development SCQF 7
• HNC Childcare and Education.
• HNC Working with Children in Early Years.
• HNC Early Education and Childcare (at SCQF level 7).

Qualifications which were previously recognised for SNNEB/NNEB registration may be acceptable.

The post holder must be able to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of early years practice, local and national policy, research, legislation and documentation.

The post holder must have experience of working in an Early Learning Centre and/ or Children Services provision. S/he must be able to demonstrate a sound overview and clear understanding of children’s development and progress in literacy, numeracy and heath and well- being across the Curriculum.

The post holder must have a very good understanding of Curriculum for Excellence Early Level, Pre- Birth to Three Positive Outcomes for Scotland’s Children and Families, Realising the Ambition, HGIOELC and GIRFEC and Care Inspectorate standards and requirements.

The post holder requires an up to date first aid and food hygiene certificate, or be committed to achieving this within 6 months in post.

Once in post the post holder is required to keep up to date with new guidelines and legislation.

Post holders attend a variety of courses depending on the individual needs of a child e.g. epilepsy training; gastric feeding; baby & toddler first aid training, behaviour management; training for communication problems such as signing; Hannan language programme and 'picture exchange'.

CLOSING DATE – Monday 17th November 2025

INTERVIEW DATE - Week beginning 1st December 2025

Job Advert

Position Title: Children's Services Practitioner x2

Directorate: Children, Young People & Partnerships

Location: Hawthorn Family Learning Centre

Contract Status: Permanent

Hours of Work: 36 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday - Thursday 8am -4pm and Friday 8am -2.30pm

Weeks per year: 52

Please note that it is Midlothian Councils policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

Based on 36 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £34,207.12 per annum.

Requirements

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and adults. Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children and Adults. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you. For further information on the PVG Scheme please visit www.disclosurescotland.gov.uk

Please note that Disclosure Scotland has changed the way PVG certificates are issued. You will be notified by email from Disclosure Scotland that your certificate is available to view. Once you have viewed your certificate you will be allowed to share this with your employer and it is only available for 14 days from the first day you have viewed the certificate. If you do not grant access to Midlothian Council to view before access is removed, a further application will need to be generated, and this will incur an additional cost.

Additional Information

If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email [e-mail] to discuss with member of the Recruitment Team stating the post reference number.

Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations. Candidates are advised that, for some vacancies, internal candidates in this situation will be interviewed before the wider selection pool and a slightly longer delay may be experienced before application outcomes can be advised to you. Thank you for your patience in this matter.

If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child, you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.