SWRK 5774 - G2 Social Work Assistant (605913)

South Lanarkshire Council; Hamilton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local government pension

Salary sacrifice AVC

Up to 33 days annual leave

Public holiday entitlement

Sick pay

Flexible working

Employee discounts

Cycle to Work Scheme

Physiotherapy

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

South Lanarkshire Council's Emergency Social Work Services (ESWS) invites applications for the Social Work Assistant role based at Pollock Avenue Call Centre, Hamilton. The post supports out-of-hours social work, responding to urgent referrals and coordinating with daytime teams.

You will work within a three-week shift rota, including weekends and public holidays, assisting qualified social workers, maintaining case notes, and liaising with Police Scotland and Health services to protect

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ experience in social care or social work.
• Commitment to supporting individuals, families and communities with dignity and respect.
• Experience collaborating as part of a team in care/public protection settings.
• Ability to communicate clearly and maintain accurate records.

Responsibilities

• Assist qualified Social Workers with information gathering, initial assessments and supporting decision making.
• Provide practical support to individuals, families and vulnerable groups to promote safety and wellbeing.
• Collaborate with Police Scotland, health services and partners to coordinate care.
• Ensure clear communication and accurate information sharing between ESWS and daytime teams.
• Maintain high quality case notes and record actions per procedures.
• Prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment and support colleagues during peaks.
• Demonstrate a compassionate, calm and organised approach to varying situations.

Skills

Experience in social care

Clear communication

Driving licence

Job description

Application Details

ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by 25 October 2026 at 11:55pm.

Position Details

Location: Pollock Avenue Call Centre, Hamilton

Hours: 35hrs per week, permanent

Work Pattern: please see below

Salary / Hourly Rate: £23.14 - £23.65 per hour, £42,228 - £43,158

An exciting opportunity has arisen for Social Work Assistant position to join Emergency Social Work Services (ESWS).

South Lanarkshire Council’s ESWS has operated since 31 March 2009 and delivers essential out of hours support 365 days a year. The service provides responsive, timely and consistent interventions to individuals and families across South Lanarkshire who require urgent social work assistance.

Social Work Assistants will work within a three-week shift rota, including weekends and public holidays. You will contribute to the delivery of high-quality social work support during the out of hours period, assisting the Team Leader and Operations Manager to respond to varying levels of referrals and crisis situations. This role plays an important part in maintaining strong communication and continuity between ESWS and daytime locality Social Work teams.

What will you be doing?

Responsibilities

• Assisting qualified Social Workers with gathering information, completing initial assessments, and supporting decision making during urgent referrals.
• Providing practical support and intervention to individuals, families, and vulnerable groups to promote their immediate safety and wellbeing.
• Contributing to partnership working with key agencies including Police Scotland, Health services, and other relevant partners.
• Supporting clear communication and accurate information sharing between ESWS and daytime Social Work teams.
• Maintaining high quality case notes and ensuring all actions are recorded in line with service procedures.
• Prioritising workload effectively in a fast paced environment and supporting colleagues during periods of high service demand.
• This role requires a compassionate, calm and organised approach, with the ability to respond appropriately to a wide range of situations.

About You

• Have a minimum of two years’ experience working within a social care or social work setting.
• Demonstrate a commitment to supporting individuals, families and communities with dignity and respect.
• Have experience working collaboratively as part of a team, ideally within a care, support or public protection environment.
• Be able to communicate clearly, maintain accurate records, and handle sensitive information appropriately.
• Show flexibility, resilience and a willingness to work within a shift pattern that includes evenings, weekends and public holidays.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.

View the Social Work Assistant job profile.

Work Patterns Are As Follows

Week 1

• Monday – 16:30-01:45
• Tuesday – 16:30-01:45
• Saturday – 07:30-17:00
• Sunday – 07:30-17:00

Week 2

• Monday – 08:00 – 16:45 (Public Holidays – 07:30-17:00)
• Wednesday – 16:30-01:45
• Thursday – 16:30-01:45
• Friday – 16:00-01:45
• Saturday – 16:45-01:45
• Sunday – 16:45-01:45

Week 3

• Monday – 16:30-01:45
• Tuesday – 16:30-01:45
• Saturday – 07:30-17:00
• Sunday – 07:30-17:00

Preferred candidates identified after the selection event process will be required to assist the recruitment team, if need be, to ensure timely completion of recruitment checks. If recruitment checks are not completed within a reasonable timescale, you may automatically be withdrawn from this position.

Canvassing of Elected Members or employees of South Lanarkshire's Council directly or indirectly in connection with any appointment within the Council shall disqualify the applicant.

Applications to this post are particularly encouraged from male applicants.

Legislative Information

This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Scotland Act 2020.

This post is considered a Regulated Role with Children and Adults, in respect of the Disclosure Scotland Act 2020. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and Adults.

Preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to a formal offer of employment being made.

Please refer to http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk for further information about the disclosure process and best practice.

Overseas Criminal Records Check

An Overseas Criminal Records Check is required where applicants born outside the UK (Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland) or who have lived or worked outside the UK for a continuous period of 12 months in the past 10 years.

Applicants are responsible for providing evidence of the Overseas Criminal Record Check. The check must be translated into English and should come from the police, judicial authority, government department or home embassy of the country or countries concerned. The check must include an official statement confirming that the applicant does not have any history of or pending criminal record proceedings. Checks may be carried out to authenticate the documents provided.

Equal Opportunities and Inclusion statement

The Council is committed to fostering equality, diversity and inclusion in its workforce. Therefore, we welcome applications from all sectors of the community, including under-represented groups within our workforce. We are keen to receive applications from candidates who have a disability, who are from a care experienced background, who are from a black, Asian or minority ethnic background, from a military service background and from those who are new Scots.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile for this position.

As proud holders of the UK Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award, the Council is also committed to supporting members of the armed forces community, including service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families. In line with this commitment, service leavers, their close family members, veterans and reservists will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria as outlined in the job profile.

Benefits

• Enrolment in award winning local government pension scheme
• To increase the value of their pension pot, Local Government Employees can opt to join the Salary Sacrifice Shared Cost AVC scheme.
• Up to 33 days annual leave
• Public holiday entitlement (up to 10 days)
• Occupational sick pay
• Family friendly policies - flexible working and leave, maternity/paternity leave enhanced leave.
• Employee Discounts – including discounts at the cinema.
• Range of benefits to support you (Cycle to Work Scheme, Physiotherapy, Employee Assistance Program which offers practical and emotional support)