Service Manager (Children and Families Fieldwork) - ORK09808

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

Job summary

A local government council in Scotland is seeking a Service Manager to lead the Children and Families Fieldwork team. The role requires a qualified social worker with strong leadership and communication skills. The successful candidate will manage multidisciplinary teams and contribute to the development of services. A supportive working environment, flexible hours, and competitive salary are offered.

Benefits

Flexible working

Supportive environment

Administrative support

Qualifications

• Qualified in Social Work and registered with the Scottish Social Services Council.
• Evidence of delivering organisational change and partnership working.
• Level 2 Disclosure Check with PVG for working with children and protected adults.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and ongoing management support across the full range of the Children and Families service.
• Support and develop staff to deliver services at the highest standard.
• Manage change and partner effectively for quality outcomes.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams

Education

Degree in Social Work

Postgraduate diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

ORKNEY HEALTH AND CARE

Children, Families and Justice

Service Manager (Children and Families Fieldwork)

35 hours per week • Permanent

Salary: £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, and, most of all, a caring ethos for both the children and young people and the team. If staff feel supported, then the onward care 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 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, emphasises a collaborative, caring culture focused on helping others and making a difference to those going through difficult times. We invite you to join a team that goes over and above in support of the community.

Orkney is recognised as a wonderful place to live, with a strong community spirit and excellent quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and ongoing management support across the full range of the Children and Families service.
• Be responsible to the Head of Children, Families and Justice Services.
• Support and develop staff to ensure services are delivered to the highest standard.
• Contribute to the broader development of Social Work services in Orkney.
• Manage change and partner effectively to deliver quality outcomes for children and families.

Qualifications and experience

• Qualified in Social Work (degree, postgraduate diploma or equivalent).
• Registered with the Scottish Social Services Council.
• Ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and evidence of delivering organisational change and partnership working.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Level 2 Disclosure Check with PVG for working with children and protected adults (post subject to verification).

Benefits and terms

• 35 hours per week, permanent appointment.
• Salary and location allowances as stated above.
• Flexible working, supportive environment, reasonable caseloads, and IT/administration support.

Application details

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 26 October 2025

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