Service Manager (Children and Families Fieldwork) - ORK09690

Orkney Islands Council; Kirkwall; On-site; GBP 68,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

A local council in Scotland is seeking a Service Manager for Children and Families Fieldwork. The role involves leading and supporting the Children and Families service, managing multidisciplinary teams, and delivering high-quality support to vulnerable community members. Ideal candidates will have a Social Work qualification and experience in organizational change. The position offers flexible working, emotional support, and a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working

Emotional support

Clear career progression routes

Good IT and administration support

Qualifications

• Qualified in Social Work and registered with the Scottish Social Services Council.
• Experienced in managing multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven track record in organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support across the Children and Families service.
• Manage change and develop staff to deliver high standards.
• Contribute to the broader development of Social Work services.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Change management

Education

Social Work degree or equivalent

Job description

Overview

ORKNEY HEALTH AND CARE

Children, Families and Justice

Service Manager (Children and Families Fieldwork)

35 hours per week

Permanent

£68,008 - £75,089 / £37.27 - £41.15 per hour (including a temporary market supplement for the first three years, and Distant Islands Allowance)

£60,745 - £66,183 / £33.29 - £36.27 per hour (after the first 3 years, including Distant Islands Allowance)

Here, at Orkney Islands Council we want every care experienced child to achieve their full potential. Our Children and Families Service was recently praised by the Care Inspectorate for the positive and helpful support given by a stable and experienced staff team to foster carers, adoptive families and caregivers.

We are recruiting a Service Manager for Children and Families Fieldwork.

We need you to have the relevant managerial skills, experience of children and families but, most of all we want you to have a caring ethos - not just for our children and young people, but the team too. If staff feel supported, then the onward care being provided to some of our most vulnerable members of our communities is the best it can be.

In addition to a supportive working environment, we can also offer flexible working, emotional support, reasonable caseload levels, clear career progression routes and good IT and administration support.

Orkney Health and Care Chief Officer, Stephen Brown, has an open-door policy. I have been involved in social care work for around 30 years and at the heart of all that we do in the profession is very simple - we want to help others and make a difference to the lives of children, young people and adults going through a difficult time. We want to be able to offer the best care and support possible to those in our communities who may need that, whether that be long or short-term. I work with a team who genuinely care for those they are tasked with supporting - they go over and above without even realising it. If that sounds like the kind of team you would like to be part of, then come and join us.

Year after year Orkney is named one of the best and happiest places to live in the country thanks to our wonderful lifestyle, rich heritage, landscapes, beaches, wildlife, a thriving food and drink sector, world leading energy innovation, low crime and a community spirit like no other.

Responsibilities

You will provide leadership and ongoing management support across the full range of the Children and Families service and will be responsible to the Head of Children, Families and Justice Services. These are significant roles within the Children, Families and Justice management team structures. In addition, the Service Manager will have the ability to support and develop staff to ensure services are delivered to the highest standard and will be a key contributor to the broader development of Social Work services in Orkney.

You will have strong communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to manage change and evidence managing multidisciplinary teams. You will demonstrate a record of success in the delivery of organisational change and partnership working.

Qualifications

You will be qualified in Social Work (degree, post graduate diploma or equivalent) and be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council.

Post 2: Level 2 Disclosure Check with PVG for working in a regulated role with children and protected adults.

Benefits

Flexible working, emotional support, reasonable caseload levels, clear career progression routes and good IT and administration support.

How to apply / Contact

For further information please contact Darren Morrow, Head of Children, Families and Justice Services and Chief Social Work Officer on 01856 873535 extension 2601 or email: [e-mail]

Closing date: 23:59 on Sunday 21 September 2025

Please note that interview and relocation expenses will be paid for these posts in accordance with Council Policy.