Job Description

Based in Inverness

With locality wide responsibilities

occasional travel to other offices and outlying Hearing Centres

Permanent, Full Time

35 hours per week

47,300 - 52,215

Ref: EST1321/25

Do you believe every child deserves to be cared for, included, respected and safe with opportunities for a positive future? If so, the next step in your career could be to join the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration (SCRA).



At SCRA, our Mission is to protect and uphold the rights of Scotland's children and young people, making decisions in a compassionate, inclusive and trauma informed way. We are seeking candidates who share, and can demonstrate, our Values of being Supportive, Child Centred, Respectful and Accountable.



Working at the heart of Scotland's unique care, protection and justice system for children, as a Children's Reporter your primary purpose will be to decide whether a child should be referred to a Children's Hearing for consideration of compulsory measures of supervision and to conduct court proceedings to establish facts. You will manage the competing demands of a challenging case load. Utilising effective communication skills, you will investigate and respond to referrals from partner agencies such as social work and the police or from members of the public. Based on investigations tailored to the needs of a child, you will make informed decisions regarding the need to refer a child to a Children's Hearing. You will support fair process within Children's Hearings and prepare and conduct court proceedings. With comprehensive training and support, you will present evidence in court to establish facts or to promote a Hearing's decision where that decision is supportable.



Qualified to degree level or equivalent in social work, law or another relevant discipline, you will bring at least two years' experience in a similar fast-paced environment. You will bring experience of analysing and assimilating information to make evidence-based decisions, along with the ability to use digital technology to deliver a service. Personal resilience and an ability to work at pace are essential.



We are committed to your growth and wellbeing. You will receive comprehensive learning and development within a supportive working environment. If you share our Values, this is an exciting opportunity to shape a positive future for children and young people in Scotland.



You can find more information by downloading the job description, person specification and application form which can be found at the bottom of this page, or by contacting recruitment@scra.gov.uk.



All SCRA posts are subject to a probation period of 6 months, or the term of the contract if shorter.



All posts are subject to PVG clearance by Disclosure Scotland. It is normal practice to appoint at the minimum point of the salary scale.

Closing date: Thursday 7 August 2025 at 12noon

How to apply

When completing section D of your application form, please explain how you meet each of the essential and desirable criteria laid out on page 1 of the Person Specification. You may choose to label each of these criteria and prepare a short paragraph for each.



Thereafter, please do the same for

each

of the 4 Values listed on page 2 of the Person Specification, e.g. briefly describe how you demonstrate the Value of being 'Child Centred'. Please note you are

not required

to list evidence for each of the essential criteria indicators listed as bullets under the Values (e.g. personally resilient and able to accept support to navigate challenging potentially traumatic experiences).



There will be an opportunity to demonstrate and assess some of the other Person Specification criteria at interview.



Please save the application form together with the separate Diversity Monitoring form to your drive/desktop, fill in the relevant sections and then submit both to recruitment@scra.gov.uk. When the email opens, you must attach your completed forms to it. The diversity monitoring form enables us to monitor equalities throughout the recruitment process.



The selection process will include an interview in which the panel and candidate will attend either physically, virtually or a combination of both - ensuring accessibility for all. If you require any adjustments or specific arrangements to support your application or participation in the selection process, we encourage you to contact our HR team at HR.Helpdesk@scra.gov.uk. We are committed to creating a supportive and equitable candidate experience for all.



At SCRA we are proud to be a socially inclusive employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds - regardless of sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, race, ethnic origin, age, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability and other factors such as care experience (e.g. experience in the care system), or socio-economic background. We believe that diverse perspectives strengthen our work and help us better serve Scotland's children and young people with compassion and integrity.