Job profile
Job title: Executive Personal Assistant (PA)
Responsible to: Executive and Committee Support Manager
Principle working contacts
- Chair and Board members
- Chief Executive
- Executive Directors
- Strategic Management Group
- Executive and Committee Support Manager
- Executive PA to the Chief Executive and PAs to Executive Directors
- Scottish Government and other external bodies and partners
Job purpose
- To provide high quality confidential PA support to the Executive Director of Corporate and Customer Services and the Chair of the Care Inspectorate Board
Key accountabilities
- Organise, plan and delegate work appropriately to ensure the provision of efficient and highly confidential PA support to the Executive Director of Corporate and Customer Services and the Chair.
- Check and prioritise all email correspondence and meeting invitations on behalf of the Executive Director and the Chair.
- Develop and administer a system for dealing with enquiries on behalf of the Executive Director and the Chair, including composing responses to routine correspondence.
- Maintain appropriate ways of working for supporting the Executive Director of Corporate and Customer Services, the Chair and Board members.
- Manage and co-ordinate the Executive Director’s and Chair’s diaries, making appointments and arranging meetings, events, booking venues, organising catering and hospitality for visitors as necessary.
- Make travel and accommodation arrangements for the Executive Director and the Chair.
- Prepare agendas and collate, check and distribute paperwork for meetings as required.
- Make seminar/conference and other visit arrangements.
- Maintain and ensure that all types of filing systems, registers and records are up to date, including review and updating of the Board’s Register of Interests.
- Attend meetings as required at our head office and at various locations across Scotland, in order to take notes/minutes and prepare action records.
- Assist the Executive and Committee Support Manager in administrative tasks related to Board and Committee meetings.
- Establish good working relationships in regular communication with other officers of the CareInspectorate, external partners and Scottish Government.
- Assist other members of the Executive and Committee Support team when required.
- Assist in the preparation of PowerPoint presentations/speeches as required.
- Provide PA support cover in the absence of the Executive PA to the Chief Executive.
- Carry out your duties in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, procedures, guidance, practices and legislative requirements, taking reasonable care for your safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or fail to do while at work.
Relationship management
- Ensure productive and smooth working arrangements and protocols between staff delivering businesssupport and all other Care Inspectorate employees.
- Develop and maintain constructive and co-operative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient executive support.
- DemonstrateacommitmenttotheCareInspectorate’saims,vision and values and to the Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
- Ensure effective communication of the Care Inspectorate's work with people who use care services, carers, relatives and advocates.
Other duties
This job description is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
This job may also require some travel to other offices of the Care Inspectorate.
Job profile
Job title: Planning Manager
Responsible for: Planning Co-ordinator
Principal working contacts
- Executive Director of Scrutiny and Assurance
- Chief Inspectors
- Service Managers
- Team Managers
- Strategic Inspectors
- Inspectors
- Business Support staff
- Managers and employees of the Care Inspectorate
- External agencies/service providers/service users and carers
- Education Scotland
Job purpose
To manage and co-ordinate the delivery of national inspection planning across a wide range of social care services and services for children and adults to ensure that the Care Inspectorate makes the best use of its resources and performs effectively and efficiently as an independent scrutiny and improvement body.
Key responsibilities
Strategic management
- In conjunction with the Chief Inspector, develop and manage systems and processes to support effective national inspection planning in order to meet corporate aims and objectives.
- Build and maintain effective partnerships with Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland and other scrutiny and improvement partners to support effective and efficient joint inspection planning.
- In conjunction with the Chief Inspector develop and deliver strategies, action plans and targets for inspection planning in support of corporate aims and objectives.
Operational management
- Manage and co-ordinate the effective and efficient delivery of scrutiny and improvement planning activity.
- Manage and maintain scrutiny plans for the current year and draft plans for subsequent years, ensuring inspection planning activities are consistent with the Care Inspectorate’s objectives and targets.
- Ensure that the provision of the inspection and capacity planning information is accurate, up-to-date and reliable for managers and staff throughout the organisation to support the planning and delivery of the Care Inspectorate’s scrutiny and improvement functions.
- Plan and execute the strategic objectives for inspection planning systematically in alignment with the Care Inspectorate’s business objectives.
- Promote continuous improvement in all aspects of inspection and capacity planning, including quality assurance and consistency of practice.
- Participate in the recruitment and selection of staff as required.
- Prepare and present reports to the Chief Inspector, Executive Director of Scrutiny and Assurance or Executive Team as required.
- Deputise for the Chief Inspector and undertake such other duties as may be required by the Executive Director of Scrutiny and Assurance.
People management
- Lead and manage a team, ensuring that they work effectively and efficiently to meet the aims, objectives and targets of Care Inspectorate.
- Provide advice, guidance and support to team members through regular one-to-one supervision, performance development reviews and personal development plans to ensure continuous improvement in their work and support their personal and professional development.
- Coordinate and monitor administrative support to the team
- Promote consistent, high quality practice amongst team members, manage their performance and monitor their standards and behaviour.
- Promote the health, safety and welfare of staff in accordance with Care Inspectorate policies, procedures and guidance.
- Promote diversity and equality of opportunity, ensuring that these principles are upheld across all areas of work.
Relationship management
- As a manager, model corporate behaviour and demonstrate a strong commitment to organisational values.
- Develop effective working relationships within the team and with managers and staff across the organisation ensuring effective collaborative and cross-directorate working.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with partner scrutiny and improvement bodies and other key stakeholders.
- Contribute to the continuous development of the Care Inspectorate and manage change effectively and creatively.
- Promote the work of the Care Inspectorate and raise aware of its work in a positive manner.
- Ensure effective working protocols in accordance with the Care Inspectorate’s Communications, Human Resources, Finance, IT and Operations function.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision and values and to the Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
- Ensure effective communication of the Care Inspectorate’s work with people who use care services, carers, relatives and advocates.
Other duties
This job may require some travel and may involve some overnight stays and unsocial hours.
This job description is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
Person specification
Job title: Transactions Assistant
Attributes
Experience
Essential:
- Operating within a busy Finance environment.
- Demonstrate a successful track record within a similar role.
- Experience of communicating with external customers by letter, telephone and email.
- Experience of working effectively to meet deadlines and achieve objectives.
- Experience of managing and prioritising own workload.
Desirable:
- Experience of working with Oracle Cloud Fusion.
- Experience of working with internal and external contacts at all levels.
- Demonstrate a successful track record within a similar role.
- Experience of developing and documenting processes and guidance documents.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential:
- Educated to Standard Grade level or equivalent (SCQF level 4/5).
Skills and knowledge
Essential:
- Excellent 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.
- Ability to understand the limits of their knowledge and experience and when decisions need to be referred to others
- Excellent numeracy and communication skills.
- Prioritise own workload under broad guidance.
Desirable:
- 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 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.
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: Administrator Support Assistant (internally known as Chief Inspector Support Assistant)
Attributes
Experience
Essential:
- Experience of providing business support at executive and/or senior level including diary management
- Experience of interpreting the business conducted at meetings and producing accurate minutes to reflect discussion and decision
- Experience of preparing communication for circulation to various audiences
Desirable:
- Ability to develop and produce correspondence and emails on behalf of a senior manager.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential:
- Educated SCQF Level 5, such as Standard Grade level or equivalent.
Desirable:
- Hold a relevant qualification in administration, and/or secretarial studies e.g. HNC/D or equivalent.
Skills and knowledge
Essential:
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Excellent organisational, planning and decision making skills.
- Ability to manage conflicting priorities and work to tight deadlines/plan and prioritise workloads.
- Experience of developing processes and procedures.
- Good working knowledge of IT packages including Microsoft Applications and database input.
- Ability to translate plans into action.
Key performance outcomes
Effective communication
Essential:
- 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
- Regularly communicates with and ensures they are accessible to colleagues and key contacts
- Ability to communicate decisions to colleagues and key contacts.
Objective decision making
Essential:
- Demonstrates an 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
Desirable:
- Ability to express and present complex information.
Planning and organising
Essential:
- Ability to react to changing priorities and manage conflicting demands
- 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.
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
- Ability to apply skills flexibly as required.
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.
Job profile
Job Title: Information Governance Analyst
Responsible to: Information Governance Lead
Principle Working Contacts
Information Governance Team
Communications Team
Contact Centre
Intelligence Team
Legal Team
IT Team
Chief Executive
Scottish Government Sponsor Branch
Executive Management Team
Managers and employees of the Care Inspectorate
Other public authorities
General public
Job Purpose
To support the operation and provision of the information governance functionand associated data protection, freedom of information, records management, information sharing and data quality practices and processes.
To provide advice internally and externally on information governance practices. To support a range of solutions on issues related to the information governance function’s key processes.
Key Accountabilities
Operational Management
• Line manage the Information Governance Coordinator in theprocessing of statutory information requests, other data sharing requests submitted to the Care Inspectorate and any other information governance related tasks.
• Action requests for support and information including operational requests from internal colleagues, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and any external enquiries.
• Provide day-to-day management of the external and internal information request process including analysing and responding to Statutory requests for information made under the Freedom of information (Scotland) Act 2002 and Data Protection Act 2018.
• Monitor and improve practices and processes to reduce inefficiency, raise quality and uphold best practice in all aspects of information governance work.
• Manage and Support key projects and initiatives as directed by the IG Lead to ensure that Information Governance considerations are captured and addressed.
• Liaise with the Information Governance Lead, communications colleagues and directors to ensure appropriate corporate oversight of, and engagement in, information governance activities.
• Liaise with the Scottish Information Commissioner’s Office, the UK Information Commissioner’s Office, Scottish Government Sponsor Branch and other agencies on matters related to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, Data Protection Act 2018 and relevant codes of practice to establish and maintain best practice.
• Deputise for the Information Governance Lead when required in relation to any statutory or operational requests for guidance, any data sharing requirements or data protection matters.
• Carry out your duties in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, procedures, guidance, practices and legislative requirements, taking reasonable care for your safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or fail to do while at work.
Relationship Management
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with the Care Inspectorate’s directors, communications team, legal team, operational managers and business support to ensure smooth cross function working and incorporation of Information Governance best practice.
• Maintain effective working relationships on information governance issues with external organisations as necessary, to identify best practice and ensure statutory obligations are met e.g. National Records Scotland.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision, values.
• Portray a positive image of the Care Inspectorate when communicating both inside the organisation and externally.
Other Duties
This job description is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job and to respond positively to changing business needs.
Job profile
Job title: Administrator Support Assistant (internally known as Chief Inspector Support Assistant)
Job location: Any Care Inspectorate office (with expectation of travel to Dundee Head Office for team working requirements)
Responsible to: Executive Support Officer
Principal working contacts
- Executive Support Officer
- Executive and Committee Support Manager
- Chief Inspectors/Service Managers
- Strategic Management Group
- Executive PAs/Director PAs
- Scottish Government Departments
- External agencies
- Stakeholders
Job purpose
To provide an efficient and effective support service to the chief inspector and their service managers.
Key responsibilities
- Provide a confidential PA and administrative support service to the chief inspector.
- Manage, co-ordinate and prioritise all email correspondence and calendar appointments on behalf of the chief inspector and service managers.
- Develop and administer a system for dealing with enquiries, recording, acknowledging receipt of and re-directing correspondence and monitoring progress of responses.
- As required, compose responses to routine correspondence for the chief inspector and service managers’ signatures.
- Monitor and follow up progress of requests for information from the chief inspector and service managers to meet required deadlines.
- On behalf of the chief inspector, make all conference/seminar/meeting and other visit arrangements; confirm travel arrangements, ensuring adequate travel time between appointments and accommodation bookings.
- Prepare and circulate agendas and paperwork for meetings on behalf of the chief inspector and service managers, as required.
- Attendance at chief inspector-led meetings as required at various locations across Scotland to take notes and record actions.
- Assist in the design and preparation of PowerPoint presentations for the chief inspector, as required.
- Communicate with other officers of the Care Inspectorate, members of the Board, external partners, Scottish Government and members of the public.
- As part of the wider team, provide support cover in the absence of the other chief inspector support assistants.
Relationship management
- Ensure productive and smooth working arrangements and protocols between staff delivering directorate support and all other Care Inspectorate employees.
- Develop and maintain constructive and co-operative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient support.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision and values and to the Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
- To ensure effective communication of the Care Inspectorate's work with people who use care services, carers, relatives, and advocates.
- Carry out your duties in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, procedures, guidance, practices, and legislative requirements, taking reasonable care for your safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or fail to do while at work.
Other duties
This job may require some travel and may involve some overnight stays and unsocial hours.
This job description is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
Person specification
Job title: Senior change manager
Attributes
Experience
Essential:
- Proven experience leading business change activities within complex digital transformation programmes.
- Demonstrated ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership and board-level executives.
- Extensive knowledge and practical application of change management principles, methodologies, and tools.
- Track record of successfully delivering change initiatives on time, within budget, and aligned with strategic objectives.
- Strong ability to develop and execute communication and engagement strategies to build change readiness, drive adoption and manage resistance.
- Expertise in shaping and developing business change frameworks, templates, and best practices.
- Experience managing change activities involving third-party partners and external service providers.
Education, qualifications and training
Essential:
- Certification in Change Management methodologies (e.g., Prosci, APMG Change Management, ACMP).
- Educated to degree level or equivalent (SCQF Level 9).
Desirable:
- Qualification in relevant project/programme management methodologies (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile, MSP).
Skills/knowledge
Essential:
- Deep understanding of change management models, frameworks, and best practices.
- Ability to align change initiatives with wider organisational strategy and business objectives to ensure change delivers value.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problemsolving skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and challenges.
- Experience of shaping and delivering effective stakeholders strategies, with the ability to build strong relationships with internal teams and third-party suppliers to drive transformation efforts.
- Understanding of how digital tools and technologies impact business change and transformation.
- Ability to work proactively, at pace, and independently, taking ownership of tasks and driving change effectively using project management skills.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of the social care sector.
Competencies/key performance outcomes
Effective communication:
- Proficiency in creating compelling, clear, and impactful content tailored to diverse audiences and communication channels.
- Ability to explain complex issues to diverse stakeholders in a clear and engaging way, both verbally and in writing.
- Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with different teams and build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
Impact and influence:
- Skilled in persuading and engaging stakeholders to gain buy-in and drive change.
- Evidence of building positive relationships, engaging and collaborating effectively with others internally and externally.
Objective decision making:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify and address stakeholder concerns and adjust communication strategies accordingly.
- 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:
- Ability to work under broad direction (often self-initiating work) to establish milestones and successfully meet objectives.
- Involves others where appropriate and optimises resources to achieve desired results.
- Regularly reviews joint goals and targets and reprioritises where necessary.
- Proactive in identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies to ensure smooth project delivery.
Team working:
- Contributes to and supports the work and decisions of the project team.
- Contributes to the shared vision and purpose and shares this effectively.
- Commitment to innovation in change practices and continuous improvement based on feedback and performance data.
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.
Job profile
Job title: Planning Coordinator
Responsible to: Planning Manager
Principal Working Contacts
- Head of Business Change
- Executive Director of IT, Transformation & Digital
- Chief Inspector (Strategic Scrutiny, Children’s, and Adults)
- Chief Inspector (Children’s Services)
- Chief Inspector (Adult Services)
- Executive Director of Scrutiny & Assurance
- Chief Inspector (Registration and Complaints)
- Executive Director of Strategy and Improvement
- Service Managers
- Planning Manager
- Inspectors / Strategic Inspectors
- Managers and employees of the Care Inspectorate
- External agencies/service providers/service users and carers
- Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland
Job purpose
To coordinate the delivery of national inspection planning across a wide range of social care services and services for children and adults to ensure that the care inspectorate makes the best use of its resources and performs effectively and efficiently as an independent scrutiny and improvement body.
Key responsibilities
Strategic management
- In conjunction with the Planning Manager, develop and manage systems and processes to support effective national inspection planning to meet corporate aims and objectives.
- In conjunction with the Planning Manager, develop and manage systems and processes to support effective and efficient deployment of resources for all the Care Inspectorate’s scrutiny and improvement functions.
- Maintain effective partnerships with Education Scotland, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and other scrutiny and improvement partners to support effective and efficient joint inspection planning.
- Support the Planning Manager in formulating objectives, strategies, action plans and targets for inspection planning activity to ensure that these are achieved.
Operational management
- Support and coordinate the efficient and effective delivery of scrutiny and improvement planning activity.
- Support the management and maintenance of scrutiny plans for the current year and draft plans for subsequent years.
- Promote continuous improvement in all aspects of inspection and capacity planning.
- Support the Planning Manager with the preparation and presentation of reports for other senior managers.
- Plan, coordinate, and maintain regulated care and strategic inspection plans and provide information as required to Care Inspectorate colleagues and scrutiny partners.
- Deputise for the Planning Manager and undertake such other duties as may be required by the Planning Manager.
People management
- In conjunction with the Planning Manager, manage and coordinate the work of the Planning Assistants on a day-to day basis and ensure they are deployed effectively and efficiently to meet the aims, objectives, and target of the Care Inspectorate.
- Provide advice, guidance, and support to Planning Assistants through regular one-to-one supervision, performance development reviews and personal development plans to ensure continuous improvement in their work and to support their personal and professional development.
- Promote consistent, high quality practice amongst staff, and manage the performance and monitor standards and consistency of practice of all employees delivering inspection planning activity.
- Create and sustain a learning culture which promotes the development of employees to maximise their potential and contribution to meeting the organisation’s objectives.
- Carry out your duties in accordance with our Health and Safety policies, procedures, guidance, practices, and legislative requirements, taking reasonable care for your safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or fail to do while at work.
Relationship management
- Develop strong professional relationships with managers and staff across the organisation ensuring effective collaborative and cross directorate working.
- Develop and maintain effective working relationships with partner scrutiny and improvement bodies and other key stakeholders.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the Care Inspectorate’s aims, vision, and values and to the Care Inspectorate’s overall objective of improving care in Scotland.
- Ensure effective communication of the Care Inspectorate’s work with people who use care services, carers, relatives, and advocates.
Other duties
This job may require some travel and may involve some overnight stays and unsocial hours.
This job description is a broad picture of the post at the date of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time. Consequently, the post holder will be required to carry out any other duties to the equivalent level that are necessary to fulfil the purpose of the job, and to respond positively to changing business needs.
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.