The posting
Job Description
ACTUAL CLOSING DATE: Applications must be received by 15 November 2026 at 11:55pm.
Please ensure that you read the full advert text and do not submit a CV, as these will be disregarded as they do not form part of SLC application process. If you require to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents.
INTERNAL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY VIA OPPORTUNITY MARKETPLACE.
Location: Council Offices South Vennel, Lanark Hours: 17.5hrs per week, permanent Salary / Hourly Rate: £23.14 - 26.65 per hour
Are you a motivated and skilled Social Worker with a commitment to supporting individuals involved in the justice system to achieve positive outcomes?
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Justice Social Worker to join our Lanark Locality Team for a period of up to 12 months. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a dynamic service, delivering high-quality social work interventions that promote public protection, rehabilitation and desistance from offending.
As a Justice Social Worker, you will work with individuals subject to statutory justice Orders. You will undertake comprehensive assessments, develop and review intervention plans, and work collaboratively with partner agencies to manage risk and support positive change. This post will involve working with people who have been convicted of a wide range of offences including domestic and sexual offences.
Please note that a Degree in Social Work or an equivalent recognised qualification is essential for this post. Applications will only be considered from candidates who meet this requirement.
Key responsibilities include:
- Undertaking comprehensive assessments of service users' needs, strengths and risks.
- Managing a diverse caseload and coordinating interventions in line with legislative and organisational requirements.
- Preparing and submitting high-quality Justice Social Work reports for Courts and other relevant forums.
- Conducting risk assessments using recognised assessment tools and professional judgement to inform risk management plans.
- Developing, implementing and reviewing case management plans to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.
- Work in partnership with justice partners, health services, housing providers and third-sector organisations.
- Maintaining accurate and timely case records and documentation.
- Contributing to public protection arrangements and multi-agency risk management processes where required.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- A Degree/Diploma in Social Work and registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
- Experience of report writing within a justice or social work setting.
- Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and risk management principles.
- The successful applicant would also be required to undertake Non Personal Police Vetting level 2 as part of a requirement to use ViSOR.
- Strong case management skills, including planning, review and evaluation of interventions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- A commitment to social justice, inclusion and person-centred practice
View the Social Worker job profile.
Please answer the following question as part of your application submission, your answers should be uploaded under supporting documents
- Please provide an overview of your Social Work experience to date and tell us about what make you a good candidate for this post.
If you require to submit any further additional information to support your application (not a CV), please upload this under supporting documents.
Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address
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.
Legislative Information
This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Scotland Act 2020.
This post is considered a Regulated Role with Adults, in respect of the Disclosure Scotland Act 2020. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with 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
As an employee of South Lanarkshire Council, you would also receive a wide range of benefits including:
- 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)
About Us
South Lanarkshire Council is the unitary authority serving the South Lanarkshire council area in Scotland. The council has its headquarters in Hamilton, has 16,000 employees, and a budget of almost £1bn. The large and varied geographical territory takes in rural and upland areas, market towns such as Lanark, Strathaven and Carluke, the urban burghs of Rutherglen, Cambuslang, and East Kilbride which was Scotland's first new town.
Our vision is for South Lanarkshire as set out in our Economic Strategy is to have one of the strongest and most dynamic economies in Scotland, where businesses, communities, and residents achieve their full potential and prosper.
We will achieve this through three key interrelated themes:
- People - skills, learning and employability
- Place - physical infrastructure and place
- Business - business development and growth
