Policy Assistant
Location: Any Care Inspectorate office
Salary: £25,320 - £26,877
Contract: Temporary for one year
The successful applicant will provide an efficient and effective support service to the Policy Team, reporting to the Senior Policy Adviser.
You will be required to provide a confidential tailored support service. Duties will be varied and include overseeing email traffic to the Policy Team’s shared mailboxes, supporting the Policy Analysts to maintain the Hub website, updating routine papers and undertaking small research projects with support from the Policy Analysts.
The role will also include regular policy and parliamentary scanning activities, alerting staff to relevant developments.
You will have excellent interpersonal, organisational and research skills, be highly skilled in all Microsoft Office packages and be able to work on your own initiative and enjoy a challenge.
You’ll find more information in the:
For an informal chat prior to applying, please contact Claire Neary, Senior Policy Adviser on 07818588721.
If you believe that your expertise, skills and motivation make you suitable for this post, please complete an application form (and an Equalities Monitoring Form where you are an external applicant) and return by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by no later than 8am on Monday 6 December 2021.
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Team Manager – Adults
Location: East of Scotland
Salary: £48,453 - £53,502 (140 hours over 4 weeks)
Contract: Permanent or secondment
About the role
We are looking for a full-time team manager to manage a team of inspectors in our adult’s specialism in the Edinburgh area.
Our team managers support their team of inspectors to manage the inspection workload, consider risk factors and maximise performance. They also manage enforcement activity and support service development and improvement. Team managers work closely with our registration and complaints teams to ensure effective regulation of care services.
Team managers have a relationship manager role with a number of local authorities and national providers. They are expected to take part in and keep up to date with national initiatives and development to support the work of the team. Team managers also provide professional development to the team of inspectors that they manage.
About us
As a national regulator and scrutiny body, we inspect care across communities, report on the quality of care people experience, and ensure it is as good as it can be. We are a scrutiny body that supports improvement.
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.
About you
You will be educated to degree level or equivalent and hold an appropriate professional qualification and be committed to your own continuous professional development.
You should have significant experience of operational scrutiny activity and professional regulatory practice within health, social care, or other relevant sectors. You will have experience of implementing improvements and managing change.
You will need to be able to provide leadership and direction to a diverse team of professional staff. You will need to demonstrate a significant knowledge of working with inspection and regulation of care as well as a commitment to the principles of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 and the principles of better regulation.
Why join us?
This is an exciting time to join the Care Inspectorate, with an opportunity to be at the heart of change as we consider the recommendations of the Independent Care Review.
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’re proud to be a progressive, supportive employer, and equality, diversity and inclusion are important to us.
All new entrants will start on the grade minimum for the role however we have a generous benefits package which is highlighted below.
Flexibility and agility are important to us. That’s why we have a number of policies in place that support flexible working and time off when you need it, such as flexi-time, flexible hours, home working, carers leave and special leave. The inspector role is flexible with 140 hours over a four week period.
Our annual leave allowances are generous, starting at 32 days (in less than 1 years’ service by 1 April) and climbing to 42 days after 5 years of service.
All our employees are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme, which is a defined benefit career average scheme. Employee contributions range between 5.5% and 10% depending on earnings and are matched by employer contributions of 17%.
To apply
You’ll find more information in the:
Those who have applied in the last 6 months need not apply however this does not preclude current team managers from using the internal transfer process
For an informal chat about the job role, please contact the HR team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and a member of the team will arrange for you to receive a call back from one of our Service Managers.
If you believe that your expertise, skills and motivation make you suitable for this post, please complete an application form (and an Equalities Monitoring Form where you are an external applicant) and return by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 8am on Monday 29 November 2021.
It is anticipated that interviews and selection will take place no earlier than 16 December 2021 .
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4 pathways for complaints
Following assessment, there are a number of ways we can handle complaints when they are raised with us, and we may use multiple methodologies for one complaint. It is important that each complaint is dealt with through the most appropriate route to ensure that concerns are resolved as quickly and effectively as possible.
All complaints are assessed for any aspects of adult and child protection. Any complaints which require to be assessed as adult or child protection are referred to the lead agency, the social work department and/or police. We keep in touch with the social work department/police until a decision is made about any investigation they will undertake. If a decision is made that no investigation is required by them, the issues will be re-assessed through our resolution pathways and investigated by the Care Inspectorate if this is appropriate.
The 4 resolution pathways
These are:
Intelligence - where we receive information about a care service, we may use the information as intelligence about the service to help inform our scrutiny and improvement support activity. For example, bringing forward a full, unannounced inspection of a service.
Direct service action – when issues are straightforward and suitable for quick or immediate action, we contact the service and ask that they engage directly with the person making the complaint to resolve the issues directly with the person. Typically, this is used to intervene quickly and achieve a positive result.
Investigation by the care provider – when issues are suitable for the complaint to be investigated via the service’s complaint procedure, we obtain consent to share the person’s contact details with the service and we require the service provider and ask them to investigate the concerns and respond to the complaint and to the Care Inspectorate.
Complaint investigation by the Care Inspectorate – following assessment, we investigate serious complaints about failings in care that have led to or are likely to lead to poor outcomes from an individual or individuals.
We receive information from a range of sources. As referred to above, every complaint raised is risk-assessed to determine the seriousness of the concerns and dealt with appropriately and proportionately. If we investigate and uphold a complaint about a care service, the outcome is published on our website.
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Business Support Assistant - Complaints
Location: Flexible
Salary: £20,448 - £21,789
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Temporary until 31 March 2022
About us
We are the national regulator and scrutiny body responsible for providing assurance and protection for people who experience care services, their families, carers and the wider public, as well as supporting delivery partners to improve the quality of care for people in Scotland. Our vision is that people across Scotland experience high quality care that meets their needs, rights and choices.
We are a scrutiny body that supports improvement. We inspect individual care services and we also work with other scrutiny bodies to inspect the social care and social work services people are experiencing in their local areas.
About the role
Working as part of a team, you will provide comprehensive administrative and clerical support within a scrutiny and assurance business support role in line with the Care Inspectorate’s policies and procedures. Whilst this particular post will predominantly be working to support the complaints function and its inspectors the post holder will also require to undertake the wider general administrative duties and tasks required as part of the office business support team. These duties will be varied and will include the provision of e.g. customer service; telephony, reception, filing, word processing, data input and general clerical duties.
Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, it is expected that you will be undertaking duties predominantly from home but with an expectation that, where deemed necessary, you will be available to work from the office on an ad-hoc or longer-term basis in due course. We will consider applications on a reduced hours basis.
About you
We are looking for an organised individual who has good attention to detail, is customer-focused and enjoys working in a busy and supportive team. You will have a positive attitude and be keen to develop your skills and take on new challenges.
The successful individual will have:
- A good working knowledge of O365/Microsoft Office suite to include Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Excellent telephone and customer service skills.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Ability to work on own initiative and prioritisation of workload.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
Next steps
You’ll find more information in the:
If you require any further information or for an informal chat, please contact:
Fiona Naris, Business Support Officer, by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tel 01786 432944
If you believe that your expertise, skills and motivation make you suitable for this post, please complete an application form (and an Equalities Monitoring Form where you are an external applicant) and return by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by no later than 8am on Monday 29 November 2021.
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Inspector recruitment
How we recruit inspectors
Our inspector recruitment process also follows the same model as our other roles with the addition of a two-step selection stage, detailed below.
Selection assessment 1
If you’re shortlisted, we’ll invite you to complete our online selection assessment. This is a written exercise designed to test your potential to be an inspector.
Selection assessment 2
If you successfully complete the online assessment, you’ll be invited to attend an interview and to speak to your written exercise response on how you would give feedback.
If you’re successful at this stage, we’ll let you know and confirm next steps. We’ll either confirm you’re the preferred candidate for a suitable vacancy (based on your specialism and location) or you’ll be invited to join our talent pool for future vacancies.
We accept CVs from prospective inspectors throughout the year. We will note your interest and will contact you during the next recruitment period, following your CV submission, to complete the online application form. We also have guidance available that may assist you in completing your CV:
For more information about our talent pool please see the FAQs below.
FAQs about inspector recruitment
What qualifications do I need to become an inspector?
To become an inspector, you must be registered with, or able to register, and hold a qualification that meets the registration requirements of one of these regulatory bodies:
- Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
- General Teaching Council (Scotland) (GTC)
- Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
- General Medical Council (GMC) Health and Care Professions Council (applies to the following roles only: occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and practitioner psychologists)
- Other equivalent professional bodies for the UK nations
Inspectors eligible to apply for registration with the SSSC must hold a suitable practice qualification at SCQF level 9. For more information on the list of suitable qualifications please see the section below.
Inspectors must also hold or undertake one of these appropriate regulator's awards:
- Regulation of Care Award
- PDA Scrutiny and Improvement Practice (Social Services) SCQF level 10
Qualifications that meet the Scottish Social Service Council’s (SSSC) registration requirements
Care inspectors eligible to apply for registration with the SSSC must hold a suitable practice qualification.
Main practice qualifications
- BA Childhood Practice
- Postgraduate Diploma in Childhood Practice
- BA Social Pedagogy (University of Aberdeen)
- BA (Hons) Social Work (or equivalent)
- PDA Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 9
- SVQ Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 9
- SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 9
Qualifications also accepted
- SVQ 4 Children's Care Learning and Development at SCQF Level 9
- SVQ 4 Health and Social Care at SCQF Level 9
Qualifications that meet requirements of other regulatory bodies
- A qualification meeting the registration requirements of the General Teaching Council (Scotland), Nursing and Midwifery Council or the General Medical Council.
- A qualification meeting the registration requirements for the following professional groups regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council:
- Occupational Therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Speech and Language Therapists
- Practitioner Psychologists
- Degree/Diploma in Community Education as recognised by the Standards Council for Community Learning and Development for Scotland Approvals Committee.
If your qualification does not appear on either of these lists, you can email the SSSC at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and provide a copy of your qualification certificates. The SSSC will confirm if your qualification meets the SSSC registration criteria. Further information is also available on the SSSC website and can be accessed by following the link here.
What experience do I need to become an inspector
To become an inspector, we need you to have senior professional experience, expertise and knowledge of adult social care or health care, early learning and childcare or children and young people sectors.
You should also have experience of lead responsibility for complex professional practice through case management, managing people, projects or resources. We welcome applications from candidates with these professional backgrounds.
What support will I get to maintain my professional registration?
Maintaining your registration with your professional body is a core requirement for all inspectors. To support this, we’ll provide you with access to a range of learning activities for your continuing professional and personal development. Our learning management system automatically records all of your learning and we’ll support your re-validation with your professional body. You’ll also participate in regular supervision and peer learning activities through our LEAD (learn, experience, achieve and development) performance and development process.
All inspectors are also expected to undertake our Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement (Social Services) at SCQF level 10.
What is the salary and grade for the role of inspector?
The role is on an Inspector grade 7. Starting salaries are non-negotiable and all new staff start on the grade minimum for their role. Please see the current starting salary on the advert for the current recruitment campaign.
Following six months service, you will receive an annual increment on 1 April each year until you reach the top of the grade.
How much flexibility is there in terms of working hours and location?
Our inspectors work flexibly and you’ll work 140 hours over each four week period. This equates to 35 hours per week.
We have offices across Scotland and we support a range of flexible working arrangements including homeworking and hybrid working.
Once I apply, how long will it be before my application is considered?
We accept applications from prospective inspectors all throughout the year. We have two recruitment periods each year and your application will be considered during the next recruitment period, following your application submission.
How long does the selection process take?
Our selection process is based on a two-stage assessment. Depending on the volume of applications we receive, we aim to complete each recruitment period within three months of the adverts closing date. Our recruitment team will communicate regularly throughout the recruitment period to ensure you’re up to date on the status of your application and you have all of the information you need to participate in our selection process.
What happens after I've been offered a role?
We’ll carry out pre-employment checks so we can confirm your offer of employment. These include:
- proof of ID / right to work in the UK
- two successful references, where one is from your current or most recent employer
- a PVG check
- occupational health questionnaire and referrals where appropriate
- registration and qualifications check
Once all checks are complete, we’ll agree a start date and formally confirm your offer of employment by providing you with a contract outlining your terms and conditions.
I've been invited to join the inspector talent pool. What does this mean?
If you successfully complete our selection process, we’ll either confirm you’re the preferred candidate for a suitable vacancy (based on your specialism and location) or you’ll be invited to join our talent pool for future vacancies.
Our talent pool is our bank of candidates who have successfully completed the inspector selection process and are available to be appointed to suitable vacancies, based on their specialism and location.
As a member of our talent pool, you’ll be a valued candidate and we’ll:
- monitor and identify suitable vacancies that we can offer you based on your specialism and location
- share regular updates about our vacancies, recruitment plans and other relevant Care Inspectorate news.
You don’t need to reapply for future inspector vacancies for up to two years.
Unfortunately, depending on our vacancies, we may not always be in a position to offer a role to all talent pool candidates.
If you would like to chat to us about our recruitment process or a particular job, please get in touch with our HR team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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