Person specification
Job title: Senior Improvement Advisor (Registered Nurse)
Attributes
Experience
Essential
- Registered General Nurse with all round knowledge of the health and wellbeing of adults and older people in addition to specialist skills and knowledge in one of the following areas:
- tissue viability
- nutrition
- promoting continence
- palliative and end of life care
- frailty
- Be a senior practitioner/manager with the ability to lead and operate at a national level.
- Experience of successfully managing multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams across health and social care.
- Be able to provide general health and wellbeing advice, guidance to all teams in across the Care Inspectorate including early learning and childcare and young people, and signpost where appropriate to specific support.
- Have current credibility in their field, be this as a practitioner or a nationally recognised role.
- Experience of working creatively with partners to develop ideas and solutions to deliver change and improvement in a range of areas.
- Experience of developing and delivering educational programmes in a variety of formats.
- Experience of leading quality improvement projects.
Desirable
- Research experience.
- Experience of evidence based policy development.
- Experience of working closely with a variety of national bodies.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
- Educated to degree level or equivalent in Nursing.
- Registered with the NMC.
- Hold a formal qualification in an aspect of improvement science such as Scottish Improvement Leader (ScIL) programme, ROCA/PDA, EFQM or willingness to work towards this or an equivalent quality improvement qualification.
- Commitment to own CPD.
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Enhanced professional skills in a relevant discipline with the ability to apply this into the social care context.
- Expert knowledge of the social care sector and the interface with health.
- Understanding of the importance of the involvement of people experiencing care in the co-design and co-production of quality improvement initiatives.
- Ability to work autonomously in partnership and collaborate with key stakeholders including Scottish Government, HSCPs, LAs, Health Boards and service providers in the statutory, independent and voluntary sector.
- Excellent negotiating, facilitating, influencing and coaching skills.
- Understanding of quality improvement theory/change management and its practical application in health and social care settings.
- Ability to support implementation, spread and sustainability of specific improvements.
- Ability to develop and maintain extensive internal and external communication systems.
- Ability to respectfully challenge and influence at all levels.
- Excellent communicator with the ability to translate plans into actions.
- ICT skills and ability to use Care Inspectorate systems as required.
- Politically astute.
Desirable
- Ability to set up systems to monitor improvement, analyse data and develop quality improvement solutions.
Leading others
Essential
- Ability to provide leadership, a clear sense of purpose and direction to a professional team and meet the outcomes/improvements of the programme of work.
Management of resources
Essential
- Ability to bring together the overall work of a team of staff, including staff and budget responsibilities.
- Ability to manage resources and budgets in achievement of the Care Inspectorate.
- Ability to drive continuous quality improvement and manage planning and performance processes.
Effective communication
Essential
- Articulate and positive communicator both in verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to engage, influence and lead the development of a wide range of key stakeholder relationships, both internally and externally.
- The ability to build and guide key stakeholder strategies and manage relationships to secure delivery of the programme and sustain improvements.
Impact and influence
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to influence at all levels.
- Ability to promote, lead and implement strategies and change programmes to improve the development and quality of services and reduce health and social inequalities.
- Evidence of building positive relationships, engaging and collaborating effectively with others internally and externally and at all levels.
- Demonstrates personal resilience, being able to work flexibly under pressure with stamina and tenacity to deliver results.
Desirable
- Ability to take account of wider political and organisational sensitivities to deliver strategic objectives.
Objective decision making
Essential
- The ability to assist senior/executive management to set, in consultation with others, the overall strategic agenda objectives and performance standards for the programme.
- Demonstrates analytical and systematic approach to problem solving.
- Ability to make appropriate and realistic judgments, based on relevant, up to date and verifiable information.
- The ability to take responsibility for difficult decisions and to remain resilient against possible criticism.
Please note these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role.
Person specification
Job title: Communications Co-ordinator
Attributes
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrates a successful record of accomplishment within a relevant role.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
- Qualifications or skills and experience at SCQF Level 9 or above.
Desirable
- Membership of a relevant professional body such as Chartered Institute of Public relations or Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Excellent communication skills.
- Excellent literacy skills.
- Consistently delivers creative solutions.
- Manages conflicting priorities and works to tight deadlines.
- Flexible and responsive, reacting positively to rapidly changing priorities and demands.
- Works on own initiative and prioritises workload.
- Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
- Excellent understanding of social media in an organisational setting.
- Up-to-date knowledge, understanding and experience of the range of today’s communications disciplines and channels.
- Understands how to monitor, measure and demonstrate success through analytics and appropriate performance measures.
Desirable
- Experience using Joomla, Wordpress, Umbraco and other content management software. Knowledge of the social care sector.
Key performance outcomes
Effective communication
Essential
- Expresses ideas clearly and concisely and to adapt communication to suit different audiences.
- Produces written and verbal communication which is clear and concise.
- Listens actively to people, questions and checks understanding.
- Develops and maintains positive working relationships at all levels.
Desirable
- Plain English training or qualification.
- Copywriting or proofing training or qualification.
Objective decision making
Essential
- Understands the limits of their knowledge and experience and when to refer decisions to others.
- Acts consistently with the Care Inspectorate values to achieve the desired outcomes.
- Keeps aims and objectives consistently at the heart of decision making.
Planning and organisation
Essential
- Plans workload effectively in the short, medium and long term in conjunction with their line manager and work to strict deadlines.
- Demonstrates attention to detail in all areas.
- Shows initiative and proactively works without close supervision.
Team working
Essential
- Tolerant and fair towards others, values diversity and is non-discriminatory in their actions.
- Values and makes use of the skills, knowledge and experience of others.
- Cooperates with and supports others.
Personal accountability and responsibility
Essential
- Takes responsibility for actions.
- Maintains a high standard of work and actively looks for opportunities to improve their work.
- Demonstrates initiative within own areas of expertise.
- Ambitious and positive in quality assuring their work.
Please note – these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role. Successful applicants will be assessed against all the performance indicators used in the Performance Development Review System once established in the role.
Person specification
Job title: Improvement Support Officer – Quality Improvement Support Team (QIST)
Attributes
Experience
Essential
• Experience of providing high quality business and customer support.
• Experience of servicing meetings, including scheduling and minute taking.
• Experience of working autonomously.
• Co-ordinating and supporting multiple projects.
Desirable
ICT technical support/ organising and facilitating webinars.
Education, training and qualifications
Essential
The successful candidate will be educated to SCQF level 5 (for example, credit standard grade, national 5, skills for work national 5, national certificate, national progression award, modern apprenticeship or SVQ) or have relevant skills and experience in administration or business support.
Desirable
Qualifications or skills and experience at SCQF 6 in administration or business studies.
Skills and knowledge
Essential
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Good working knowledge of IT packages, including spreadsheets, Microsoft Applications, and database input.
• Experience of developing processes and procedures. § Ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to tight deadlines/plan and prioritise workloads.
• Ability to translate plans into action.
Key Performance Outcomes
Effective communication
Essential
• Ability to prepare reports and other written communication to a high standard.
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to adapt communication to suit different audiences.
• Ability to form constructive working relationships with people at all levels in the organisation.
Desirable
Experience communicating/ liaising with senior members of the organisation.
Objective decision making
Essential
• Demonstrates analytical and systematic approach to problem solving.
• Considers Care Inspectorate values in relation to the impact of their decisions.
• Considers the wider context in which the Care Inspectorate operates.
• Understands the limits of their knowledge and experience and when decisions need to be referred to others.
Desirable
Ability to express and present complex information.
Planning and organisation
Essential
• Ability to react to changing priorities and to prioritise conflicting demands.
• Ability to plan workload effectively in the short, medium, and long term in conjunction with their line manager and work to strict deadlines.
• Demonstrates attention to detail for both numerate and literate work.
• Ability to show initiative and work without close supervision.
Flexibility
Essential
• Encourages a flexible, positive approach to work in their team.
• Applies rules and procedures sensibly and understands where flexibility is required.
Improvement focus
Essential
• Contributes to the development of operational processes and systems.
• Ability to use knowledge and experience to gather and consolidate information to make appropriate improvements.
• Demonstrate initiative, drive and determination to complete tasks and achieve objectives.
Team working
Essential
• Ability to contribute to and support the work and decisions of the team.
• Ability to work co-operatively and supportively with others.
Person specification
Job title: Transactions Assistant
Attributes
Experience
Essential
- Previous administrative experience.
- Operating within a busy environment.
- Experience of communicating with the general public by telephone, letter and email.
- Experience of working effectively to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
- Experience of managing and prioritising own workload.
Desirable
- Experience of working with finance software.
- Experience of working with internal and external contacts at all levels.
- Demonstrate a successful track record within a similar role.
- Advanced knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
- Educated to Standard Grade level or equivalent (SCQF level 4/5).
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
- Understanding of financial controls and financial environment.
- Use of office systems and procedures.
- Concise and clear oral and written skills.
- Excellent customer services skills.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the importance of attention to detail.
- Effective organisational skills and time management, able to meet deadlines.
- Effective administrative skills.
- Excellent numeracy and communication skills.
- Prioritise own workload under broad guidance.
Desirable
- Ability to understand the limits of their knowledge and experience and when decisions need to be referred to others.
- Database administration.
- Advanced knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications.
Key performance outcomes
Effective communication
Essential
- Portrays a positive image of the Care Inspectorate/SSSC when communicating both inside the organisation and externally.
- Selects appropriate communication, style and methods depending on the needs and abilities of the audience.
- Listens actively to people, questions and checks understanding.
Planning and organisation
Essential
- Uses a systematic approach to make efficient use of time and manage workload.
- Recognises the need to be flexible in order to meet changing priorities.
- Prioritises work effectively to meet deadlines and objectives.
Flexibility
Essential
- Demonstrates a flexible, positive approach to work.
- Listens to feedback and ideas from people and will take appropriate and considered action.
- Adapts well to change, adjusting priorities as required.
- Understands where a flexible approach is required.
Team working
Essential
- Remains tolerant and fair towards others, values diversity and is non-discriminatory in their actions.
- Values and makes use of the skills, knowledge and experience of others.
- Works co-operatively and supportively with others.
Personal accountability and responsibility
Essential
- Takes responsibility for decisions and actions taken.
- Maintains a high standard of work and actively seeks out continuous improvement.
- Demonstrates initiative within own area of expertise.
- Takes responsibility for identifying and addressing areas of personal and professional development.
Please note – these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role. Successful applicants will be assessed against all the performance indicators used in the Performance Development Review System once established in the role.
Person specification
Job title: Information Governance Lead
Attributes
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrate a successful track record within a similar role.
- Experience of developing, implementing and maintaining information governance tools and standards, for example, business and security classifications, metadata schemes, life-cycle retention schedules and information asset registers
- Experience of writing policies, procedures and guidance
- Experience of working with and influencing stakeholders and partners
- Experience of undertaking information and process surveys, current state assessments and compliance audits
- Developing and/or delivering training programmes
- Experience of designing, developing and maintaining information management systems
- Line management experience
- Experience of working with the ICO and other regulatory bodies
Desirable
- Experience of working within the social care sector
- Experience of working with IT and business colleagues to integrate IG into technology platforms and business systems
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
Educated to degree level unless has proven experience in senior information governance role in a similar public body
Desirable
- Graduate or post graduate degree, or other qualification in IG-related discipline e.g. Records Management, Data Protection, Freedom of
- Information, Information Security and Assurance
- Legal qualification
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation in the context within which the Care Inspectorate works e.g. UK GDPR, DPA 2018
- The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Public services reform (Scotland) Act 2010, Public Records (Scotland) Act 2011 and associated legislation.
- Knowledge and understanding of the importance of confidentiality and information governance and security principles
- Ability to interpret and present information governance concepts and terminology legal information in lay terms
- Excellent all-round IT skills, including familiarity with the Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Explorer) and Adobe Writer.
- Proven analytical and problem solving skills
Desirable
Good working knowledge of project planning and process tools such as MS Project, Visio, and data analysis and productivity tools such as DROID and TreeSize
Key performance outcomes
Effective commmunication
Essential
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain specialist/complex issues to non-specialist staff at a variety of levels and to draft clear and concise written reports.
- The ability to foster good working relationships with a range of colleagues, providing expert or professional advice, both internally and externally.
- Portrays a positive image of the Care Inspectorate when communicating both inside the organisation and externally.
- Selects appropriate communication, style and methods depending on the needs and abilities of the audience.
- Listens actively to people, questions and checks understanding.
- Possesses and displays self-confidence, enthusiasm, motivation, tact and diplomacy when communicating both inside the organisation and externally.
- Focus on representing the work area or function with the main emphasis on advising, guiding, and persuasion; to be instrumental in resolving tensions and difficulties.
- Senior representative in their area of expertise with external contacts.
Planning and organising
Essential
- Uses a systematic approach to make efficient use of time and manage workload.
- Recognises the need to be flexible in order to meet changing priorities.
- Prioritises work effectively to meet deadlines and objectives.
- Ability to multi-task, deal with work within tight/conflicting deadlines and prioritise work appropriately.
- Excellent planning and project management skills and ability to deliver work to specified timescales.
- Responsible for a discrete area of the Care Inspectorate’s work, policy, functional or operational area of activity and for managing projects and associated resources.
- People management responsibilities in terms of planning, leading, organising and controlling the work of others.
- Plan, having an impact across the organisation or affecting the sector, externally.
Flexibility
Essential
- Demonstrates a flexible, positive approach to work and in all duties performed.
- Listens to feedback and ideas from people and will take appropriate and considered action.
- Adapts well to change, adjusting priorities as required.
- Understands where a flexible approach is required.
- Adopting creative approaches and flexibility in the use of judgement which will be influenced by a number of variables requiring significant levels of discretion.
Team working
Essential
- Remains tolerant and fair towards others, values diversity and is nondiscriminatory in their actions.
- Values and makes use of the skills, knowledge and experience of others.
- Works co-operatively and supportively with others.
- Will develop ideas and contribute directly to parts of the Corporate Plan, having an impact across the organisation or affecting the sector, externally.
Personal accountability and responsibility
Essential
- Ability to work on own initiative and exercise own judgment with discretion.
- Takes responsibility for decisions and actions taken keeping line management informed of developments or issues as they arise.
- Maintains a high standard of work and actively seeks out continuous improvement.
- Demonstrates initiative within own area of expertise with limited line management experience.
- Takes responsibility for identifying and addressing areas of personal and professional development.
- To work independently on particular aspects of projects, reporting progress and liaising as necessary.
- Provide information which typically influence decision makers and will take the lead on organisation wide projects reporting directly to a member of the ET.
Please note – these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role. Successful applicants will be assessed against all the performance indicators used in the Performance Development Review System once established in the role.
Person specification
Job title - Modern apprentice
Attributes
Experience
Essential
Care Experienced - aged 16 up to the age of 29 for completion of the MA qualification.
Desirable
Experience of planning, organising and problem solving (in a non-work context).
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
- Willingness to undertake and complete an SVQ (Scottish Vocational Qualification) that matches with the job role/funding criteria.
- Commitment to undertake further training and development in the role (particularly if needed for desirable skills).
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Good working knowledge of Outlook and Word.
- Comfortable with using numbers.
- Communication skills – includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Desirable
- Use of Excel, PowerPoint, Aha Slides (or similar) and Microsoft Forms.
- Attention to detail.
- Enjoys working in a focused way.
Key Performance Outcomes
Effective communication
Essential
- Shows a positive image when communicating both inside and outside the organisation.
- Listens actively to people, questions and checks understanding.
Desirable
Chooses right communication style depending on people’s needs.
Planning and organising
Essential
- Uses a focused approach to make best use of time.
- Able to be flexible to meet changing priorities.
Desirable
Prioritises work effectively to meet aims.
Flexibility
Essential
- Listens to feedback and ideas from people and takes right action.
- Understands where a flexible approach is needed.
Desirable
Adapts well to change, adjusting priorities as needed.
Team working
Essential
- Shows respect and fairness towards others, values diversity and is non-discriminatory in their actions.
- Values and makes use of the skills, knowledge, and experience of others.
Desirable
Works together as part of a team and is supportive of others.
Personal Accountability and Responsibility
Essential
Contributes positively and finds how tasks can be improved.
Takes ownership for own development and willing to accept help and guidance.
Desirable
Demonstrates initiative within their own area of work.
Please note – these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role. Successful applicants will be assessed against all the performance indicators used in the Performance Development Review System once set up in the role.
Person specification
Job title: Accountant
Attibutes
Experience
Essential:
- Demonstrable experience in a Finance environment.
- Experience of managing and leading a team.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of process improvement and LEAN techniques.
- Experience and knowledge of Public Sector.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential:
- Educated to SCQF level 9
- Membership of the Association of Accounting Technicians or part qualification with a Committee of Consultative Accountancy Bodies (CCAB) or equivalent.
Desirable:
- Membership of a CCAB accounting body.
Skills and knowledge
Essential:
- Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel.
- A thorough knowledge of integrated financial accounting systems
- Accounting expertise in interpreting and applying accounting standards and guidance and other resource information.
- Experience of working in a business partnering role to support budget managers
- Ability to prepare financial reports.
- Annual Accounts preparation.
- Budgeting and budgetary control.
- Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
- Good judgement and decision-making skills.
- Ability to analyse numerical and written information and present results in a clear and concise format.
- Concise and clear oral, written and presentation skills.
- Ability to work under pressure with strict deadlines.
- Planning and organisation skills.
Desirable:
- Oracle financial systems experience.
- Experience of a coaching culture and using coaching to support staff.
Key performance outcomes
Effective communication
Essential:
- Articulate and positive communicator on a 1-1 basis and in larger groups.
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and to adapt communication to suit different audiences.
- Ability to explain complex financial information to a range of audiences including non-specialists.
- Listens to feedback and ideas from others and takes appropriate and considered action.
Impact and influence
Essential:
- Demonstrates ability to influence at all levels.
- Ability to give realistic advice, based on relevant, up to date and verifiable information.
- Evidence of building positive relationships, engaging and collaborating effectively with others internally and externally.
Improvement focus
Essential:
- Identifies gaps in process and performance and makes appropriate suggestions for improvements.
- Aware of trends and changes and maintains professional knowledge and skills.
- Uses knowledge and experience to gather and consolidate information in order to make appropriate changes and improvements.
Objective decision-making:
Essential:
- Demonstrates analytical and systematic approach to problem solving.
- Ability to make appropriate and realistic judgments, based on professional expertise, relevant, up to date and verifiable information.
- Ability to analyse complex information.
Planning and organising
Essential:
- Involves others where appropriate and optimises resources to achieve desired results.
- Regularly reviews joint goals and targets and reprioritises where necessary.
- Recognises the need to be flexible in order to meet changing priorities.
Team working
Essential:
- Contributes to and supports the work and decisions of the team.
- Contributes to the shared vision and purpose and shares this effectively.
- Works collaboratively with a wide range of teams across the Care Inspectorate.
Please note – these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role.
Person specification
Job title: Information Analyst
Attributes
Experience
Essential
- Providing a professional service with a significant level of autonomy.
- Using a range of analytical methods to gain insight from complex data.
- Apply coding skills to access and manipulate large volumes of data from a variety of sources as well as identifying data inconsistencies and ensuring data quality.
- Experience in some of the following:
- statistical analysis and reporting
- intelligence analysis
- data management. - Experience in working with internal and external partners at all levels.
- Experience in presenting complex information and analysis to a range of different audiences.
Desirable
- Developing data standards and definitions.
- Official statistics production.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential
- Educated to Degree level (SCQF Level 9) with a significant numeric component.
- Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development.
Desirable
Intelligence Analysis qualification.
Skills and knowledge
Essential
- Advanced data, statistical and analytical skills.
- Competent and experienced user of MS packages.
- Experienced user of statistical, query and data management software for ETL and reporting purposes (e.g. SAS, SQL, DAX, R, Python).
- Previous use of business Intelligence tools (e.g. PowerBI, Tableaux).
- Excellent data management and manipulation skills.
- Understanding of data quality issues and validation techniques.
Desirable
- Research experience.
- Knowledge of relevant national data sources including open data.
- Public Sector / social care experience.
- Code of Practice for Official Statistics.
- Qualitative data analysis.
Key performance outcomes
Effective communication
Essential
- Articulate and positive communicator on a 1-1 basis and in larger groups.
- Ability to express complex ideas clearly and concisely and to adapt communication to suit different audiences.
Impact and influence
Essential
- Demonstrates ability to influence at all levels.
- Ability to give realistic advice, based on relevant, up to date and verifiable information.
- Evidence of building positive relationships, engaging and collaborating effectively with others internally and externally.
Improvement focus
Essential
- Identifies gaps in information and makes appropriate suggestions for improvements.
- Aware of trends and changes and maintains professional knowledge and skills.
- Listens to feedback and ideas and takes considered and appropriate action.
- Uses knowledge and experience to gather and consolidate information in order to make appropriate changes and improvements.
- Ability and willingness to learn new skills quickly.
Objective decision making
Essential
- Demonstrates analytical and systematic approach to problem solving.
- Ability to make appropriate and realistic judgments, based on professional expertise, relevant, up to date and verifiable information.
- Ability to analyse complex information.
Planning and organisation
Essential
- Involves others where appropriate and optimises resources to achieve desired results.
- Regularly reviews joint goals and targets and reprioritises where necessary.
- Recognises the need to be flexible in order to meet changing priorities.
- Ability to manage workloads under pressure to tight deadlines.
Team working
Essential
- Contributes to and supports the work and decisions of the team.
- Contributes to the shared vision and purpose and shares this effectively.
- Works collaboratively with a wide range of teams across the Care Inspectorate and external colleagues.
- Willingness to share expertise and knowledge with colleagues.
Please note – these are key performance outcomes to be used to recruit into the role.
Successful applicants will be assessed against all the performance indicators used in the Performance Development Review System once established in the role.
Subcategories
Inspector - Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)
The early learning and childcare expansion…
Role: Inspector - Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)
Location: Forth Valley, Borders, Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh & Glasgow
Salary: £31,083 - £39,069 plus excellent benefits
Hours: 140 hours to be worked over a 4-week period
Contract: Permanent or 2-year secondment (would be considered)
Join us and make a difference – for you, for everyone
It’s our job to ensure care for everyone, everywhere in Scotland is as good as it can be. If you are as passionate about high-quality care as we are, and you’re experienced in your field, we’d love to hear from you.
About us
As a national scrutiny body that supports improvement. We inspect care services and partnerships across Scotland, report on the quality of care people experience, and support improvements in services to facilitate improvements in outcomes for people.
We inspect care services individually. We also work with other scrutiny bodies to inspect the social care and social work services people are experiencing in local areas.
We champion high-quality care whenever we encounter it across the thousands of inspections, we carry out each year, and we work closely with all care providers to support them to improve all the time. We collaborate with other organisations too, supporting improvement across public services. Our work plays a big role in reducing health and social inequalities between people and communities.
We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference - specialists who understand how to put people’s needs, rights and choices at the heart of delivering social services – and how to lead improvement too. Our 600 staff work with services across the public, voluntary and private sectors. We have offices across Scotland and many of our staff work from home.
About you
Whether early or established in your career, you will share our determination that care, social work and justice services should work well for people – every time. You’ll be confident about what good-quality care looks like and how to deliver it. You’ll be good at analysing information and evidence. You will have excellent writing skills for narrative inspection reports that are clear, concise and focused on outcomes. You will be confident in working with a wide range of people and at supporting and advising on improvement.
You’ll currently be working, or have significant experience in, social care, social work, health, children’s services, early learning, child protection, or community learning and development. You will be registered or eligible to register with a professional body like the SSSC, NMC or GTC.
About the role
Our care inspectors work with care services: childminders, nurseries, care homes, care at home, housing support and a host of other specialist services. A specialist in your field, you may have helped lead a service and have a strong track record in delivering quality. You’ll be adept at leading improvement and influencing others. You will work with people experiencing care, and care service providers, managers and staff.
Why join us?
We strive to be a great employer, knowing that competitive salary, leave and pension schemes are only part of that. We pride ourselves on the values we hold, person-centred; fairness; respect; efficiency and integrity - all supported with a culture of care and kindness.
We believe in collective leadership and innovation. You’ll have a lot of autonomy to manage your own work and use the professional skills you’ve honed during your career – but in new ways. Starting on day one, our learning and development support will help you become confident in the craft of scrutiny and in supporting improvement. Because a lot of your role is about sharing effective practice across Scotland, the impact you can have on experiences and outcomes for people is significant. You will draw on management and leadership skills you’ve developed in the past.
We’re proud to be a progressive, supportive employer – we’re happy to talk about flexible working with you and we’re members of the Disability Confident Scheme, aiming to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace.
New appointments will normally be placed on the minimum grade for the role; a higher starting salary may be offered in exceptional circumstances only.
ELC expansion
The Scottish Government is committed to expanding the provision of funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) from 600 hours to 1140 hours per year by 2020. The expansion of ELC is aimed to support the reduction in the poverty-related attainment gap and improve long term outcomes for children and families.
Due to the ELC expansion programme we are looking for 7 further ELC Inspectors in addition to the “business as usual” Inspector campaign launched recently.
Principles and aims
The priority for the expansion to 1140 hours is to improve children's outcomes and close the poverty-related attainment gap. In addition, the expansion aims to support parents into work, study or training. The Scottish Government's four principles of the ELC expansion are: quality, flexibility, affordability, and accessibility.
The Scottish Government has stated that quality is 'at the heart' of the expansion and that achieving a high-quality ELC experience for children is a key objective.
Use and provision
A 2018 survey found that the main reason why parents use funded ELC is that they consider it beneficial for their child's learning and development. In addition, parents reported using the funded hours to either work, increase the number of hours they work, or look for work.
Funded ELC in Scotland is delivered by a wide range of providers including nurseries, crèches and playgroups, from across the public, private and third sectors. A small number of childminders also deliver funded ELC, but the Scottish Government hopes this number will increase under the expansion to 1140 hours.
Criteria to apply
- We require you to hold a relevant qualification (minimum SCQF Level 9), register with either the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or any other relevant professional body and undertake PVG checks.
- You must also be prepared to do a Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement (Social Services) at SCQF level 10 with appropriate support from the organisation.
- You will have a minimum of three years recent and demonstrable management experience in a relevant field. You must also be willing to travel with overnight stays as required.
Before you apply
- Please contact the relevant body directly to resolve any queries you have regarding registration or eligible qualifications for registration (SSSC, NMC and so on) before submitting your application.
- For an informal chat about the job role, please contact (Who?) You or Kim Connolly, Team Manager on 07766133161
- For all other queries, please contact Human Resources at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To apply
- If you are interested, please see the minimum criteria to apply as an Inspector and the specific guidance and directions to apply. Thereafter, click on the gateway questions link to apply.
- Your completed application form (campaign number C39 only forms) and equal opportunities form should be returned to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.no later than Monday, 14 October 2019 at 8.00am.
- We anticipate that selection days will take place in the week commencing Monday, 18 November 2019.