Head of Service and Chief Social Work Officer

Head of Service and Chief Social Worker Officer

Moray

£98,789 (SCP 30)

We are seeking a Head of Service and Chief Social Worker Officer who is passionate about the delivery of a people centric service and will contribute towards shaping the future direction of the council whilst improving and modernising services for the people of Moray.

Relationship building will be key to success. You will look to work in collaboration with partners and other stakeholders. Positive, constructive relationships with elected members, our partner agencies and the local community are central to delivering our priorities in Moray.

As Head of Service, you must be resilient and highly motivated with drive, enthusiasm and creativity to bring clear strategic insight and direction to this demanding role. You need to be an innovative thinker, focused on effective outcomes – right first time, every time for our local communities. You will be capable of delivering tangible results through effective people, resource and financial management with a continuous drive for improving standards whilst achieving best value. You will have a proven track record of successfully working with diverse communities preferably in local government or health sector.

We have ambitious plans to enhance the lives of our community and are looking for a dynamic, forward-thinking and highly organised individual to help deliver our ambitions.

As Head of Service, you will lead your services to champion the vision, values and wider objectives of Moray Council and Health and Social Care Moray to deliver the key strategic aims of the organisation making Moray an even better place to live.

This includes:

• Developing service strategies and operational management policies, procedures and protocols for adults and children.
• As a member of the senior leadership team, provide leadership, vision, professional advice and strategic direction onthe full range of services within your portfolio.
• Undertake the role and responsibilities of Chief Social Work Officer in terms of Section 3 of the Social Work ScotlandAct 1968, accountable to the Chief Executive of Moray Council all in accordance with the relevant guidance.

In Moray, the CSWO also serves as Head of Children, Families and Justice Services and holds overall governance responsibility for social work services. The role includes:

• Providing professional advice to the Local Authority and Health & Social Care Partnerships (H&SCPs) on statutory social work functions
• Acting as a legally designated “proper officer” for certain statutory duties
• Reporting to and advising the Chief Executive, Councillors, the Moray Integration Joint Board (MIJB), and the Chief Officer of Health & Social Care Moray
• Supporting and scrutinising integrated adult and children’s care services
• Ensuring governance, practice standards, and improvement plans are appropriate and effective

The CSWO has a direct reporting line to the Chief Executive and works closely with the Council’s Chief Governance Officer to ensure statutory responsibilities are properly discharged.

Public Protection Governance

The CSWO is a key member of the Moray Public Protection Chief Officers Group (MPP COG), the senior strategic body responsible for public protection governance. This group provides leadership, oversight, and accountability for:

• Child Protection
• Adult Support and Protection
• Alcohol and Drug services
• Violence Against Women (including Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences)
• Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) and offender management
• Community Justice
• Prevent Multi-Agency Panel (PMAP)
• Suicide Prevention

Chief Officers collectively oversee commissioning, performance monitoring, and inter-agency collaboration, ensuring effective protection services across Moray. Strong leadership and a competent workforce are recognised as essential to improving outcomes for vulnerable children, young people, and adults.

Overall, the CSWO plays a central statutory, professional, and strategic leadership role in ensuring safe, effective, and accountable social work services within Moray.

See documents below for further information.