Information Governance Analyst

Published: 28 February 2025

Job title: Information Governance Analyst

Salary: £38,931 – £43,014

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Flexible (Any Care Inspectorate office)

Contract: Permanent


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.

Our desire is to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, that enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a 4-week period.

Starting salary

Please bear in mind that new entrants start on the grade minimum for the role. However, we have a generous benefits package which you will find on our website.

About the role

Information Governance sits at the heart of everything the Care Inspectorate does. The successful candidate will work with the team to support the operation and provision of the core information governance function which includes:

  • Analysing, drafting and responding to external enquiries relating to Freedom of Information Scotland Act (FOISA), Information Rights (DPA 2018) and other information requests.
  • Analysing, drafting and responding to internal enquiries regarding Data Protection and Information & Records Management relating to Care Inspectorate operational matters and business support practices.
  • Supporting key transformational project work providing advice and guidance on Data protection and Records & Information Management.

In addition, the Information Governance Analyst will support the provision of, timely advice on Data Protection; acting as the Deputy Data Protection Officer and being able to interpret and make recommendations on Data Protection Law.

About you

You should be educated to SCQF level 9 or have the relevant skills and experience and knowledge of legal processes related to information governance and/or record management.

The successful candidate will hold a degree in a relevant subject, such as a Law Degree, or be able to demonstrate a successful track record over a minimum of two years in a similar role.

Working knowledge of the Data Protection Act 2018 and Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act (FOISA) 2002 is essential. Working Information & Records management knowledge is an advantage as is an understanding of O365 and SharePoint.

The successful individual will be part of a busy team that deals with members of the public, Care Inspectorate colleagues, and senior managers. Be able to analyse information and prepare statistical reports, have excellent communication and organisational skills with an ability to remain calm under pressure.

Next steps

You’ll find more information in the job profile and person specification.

If you would like more information please contact recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot, otherwise, we can arrange a time for an informal chat about the role with Janice Morgan-Singh (Information Governance Lead & Data Protection Officer).

If you believe that your skills, experience and motivation make you a suitable candidate for this post, complete the online application form by 08:00 on Monday 31 March 2025.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held no sooner than 17 April 2025 at our Dundee office.

Downloads: 8899

Information Governance Lead

Published: 02 March 2018

Job title: Information Governance Lead

Salary: £55,530 to 61,314

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Flexible (Any Care Inspectorate office)

Contract: Permanent


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.

Our desire is to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, that enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. We are moving towards the expectation that all staff will work collaboratively, within and across teams, in person, for approximately 40% of their working week.

About the role

We are looking for a talented and experienced person to provide leadership in information governance and assurance, both internally and externally, ensuring our data protection, records management and wider information governance work is of high quality.

The post holder will provide the Care Inspectorate with leadership in information governance and assurance, internally & externally. They will be the prime source of expert advice and policy development, to create and maintain high level awareness, profile and understanding of the strategic and operational importance of information governance.

About you

You will play a key role in ensuring that the Care Inspectorate meets its statutory and legal obligations and be the prime source of expert advice and policy development to create and maintain high level awareness, profile and understanding of the strategic and operational importance of information governance. You will be capable of acting as a Data Protection Officer as defined under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018 and Data Protection Act 2018.

You will be responsible for overseeing important change programmes in how we manage, use and share information. We need applicants who are ambitious and motivated with a “can do” attitude.

You will be able to demonstrate considerable working experience in Information Governance. You will have excellent communication skills and an ability to engage with and understand the information needs of different audience types.

You’ll be able to support, develop and line manage staff, and have experience in data analysis, interpretation and management reporting.

We would welcome someone qualified as a solicitor, but that’s certainly not essential: your core skill may be in data protection or records management. Either way, you will have a detailed understanding of the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation, Freedom of Information Act and other information-related legislation and regulations, with practical experience of helping organisations meet these requirements.

You will have the ability to liaise with internal groups, external partners and system suppliers to ensure IG requirements of projects, information systems and day-to-day operations are met.

Next steps

You’ll find more information in the job profile and person specification.

If you would like more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Ewan Stewart at ewan.stewart@careinspectorate.gov.scot.

If you believe that you are a suitable candidate for this post, please download and complete an application form and submit it by email to recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot by 08:00 on Monday 29 July 2024.

Please also complete the equal opportunities form and submit along with your application.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held in person at our Dundee Office during week of 12 August 2024.

Downloads: 6799

Inspection Planning Manager - Workforce Planning and Data

Published: 14 May 2024

Job title: Inspection Planning Manager – Workforce Planning and Data

Salary: £38,553 - £42,597

Hours: 35 hours per week

Location: Flexible (Any Care Inspectorate office)

Contract: Temporary for up to 12 months


About the role

Due to a period of absence, a temporary vacancy has arisen within our Planning Team. In this demanding and challenging role, you will 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.

This will include the management, co-ordination of inspection activities and national and team 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.

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.

Our desire is to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, that enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. We are moving towards an expectation that all staff will work collaboratively, within and across teams, in person, for approximately 40% of their working week.

About you

The successful applicant will have an operational background in workforce planning activities, systems and processes, together with workload planning and prioritisation knowledge.

You will be educated to SCQF Level 5 and, ideally hold a relevant qualification at SCQF Level 6 or 7. You will have excellent communication skills and be able to demonstrate a broad level of knowledge of working within inspection/regulation of care and associated IT systems, such as Work Management Tools, Microsoft Excel and Power BI, alongside the ability to translate plans into action.

Next steps

You’ll find more information in the job profile and person specification.

If you would like more information or an informal chat about the role please contact Deborah Holyroyd at Deborah.Holroyd@careinspectorate.gov.scot. Please include a contact telephone number and times that would be best to reach you in your email.

If you believe that you are a suitable candidate for this post, please complete our online application form by 08:00 on Monday 17 June 2024*.

It is anticipated that interviews will be held at either our Dundee or Stirling office on 26 June 2024.

Downloads: 4569

Inspector (adults)

Published: 07 May 2024

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. We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference.  

About you

You’ll have considerable experience in adult health or social work/care as well as significant knowledge of current policy drivers and challenges within the sector. You will have a successful track record in working with people, assessing standards of care, managing conflict and promoting the rights of people who use care services.  

We’re currently recruiting for vacancies in our inspection teams. We are looking for applicants particularly in the central belt, North West Scotland, Argyll and Bute, and Dumfries and Galloway. However, we welcome applications from candidates across mainland Scotland. 

We would welcome applications from candidates across mainland Scotland. As an inspector you must be able to travel with occasional overnight stays as required.

About us

We are different because of our great benefits, our investment in learning and development, and above all, giving you the opportunity to help shape care in Scotland. 

What you will be doing as an inspector 

Making a difference through working with services delivering adult and older people care. You’ll work with people experiencing care, care service providers, managers and staff and be confident in supporting and advising on improvement. 

Click here to watch a short video on what one of our inspectors has said about their role.

The skills you need 

If you think this job is where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, there are a few things you need. Whilst it’s important to have the basics, we will support you in developing your skillset throughout your journey with us. 

You’ll be confident about what good-quality care looks like and how to deliver it across adults and older people services. You’ll be resilient and adaptable, able to work on your own initiative or as part of a team, manage competing priorities, build effective networks with partners, and have strong communication skills. Equally, you’ll be good at analysing information and evidence, and you’ll have excellent writing skills to produce reports that are clear, concise, and focused on outcomes.   

We need you to have a relevant qualification (minimum SCQF Level 9) and be registered or eligible to register with a professional body like the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Teaching Council (GTC). Please see further information at the bottom of this advert on recent updates to the registration process for the SSSC.

All new entrants will start on the grade minimum for the role however we have a generous benefits package which is highlighted below. 

Salary and benefits 

  • Salary: £46,569 - £54,975 plus excellent benefits.
  • Network of offices across Scotland.
  • Flexible Hours: 140 hours to be worked over a 4-week period.
  • Up to 37 days annual leave (after 5 years’ service) + 6 fixed public holidays.
  • Contract: Permanent, two-year secondment or locum (where candidates have previously worked for us as inspectors).

We desire to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, that enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a 4-week period. 

In addition to our excellent benefits package, we also 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. 

This is an exciting time to join the Care Inspectorate, with an opportunity to be at the heart of change as we consider the impact of the independent care review. We’ve recently changed our recruitment process and how we assess new people.  We’re looking to attract inspectors from a broader range of professional backgrounds and now is the perfect time to come and join us. 

What next?

Click here to find out more on our careers site. You can also contact the recruitment team at recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot for further information.

If you’re ready to apply now, please click here to access our gateway questions and application form. Your application should be received no later than Monday 3 March 2025 at 08:00.

The Care Inspectorate is committed to recruiting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities that we serve. It is vital that we monitor and analyse diversity information so that we can identify how we can improve the way we meet the needs of our applicants and staff. To assist us to monitor the effectiveness of our equality and diversity practices, we would encourage you to complete the equalities monitoring form at the end of the application form.

We anticipate holding Stage 1 of our assessment process between Friday 14 - Monday 17 March, and Stage 2 no earlier than Monday 7 April 2025 over a 2 week period at one of our main offices.

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 that would be suitable for you.

Registration information and process

As an Inspector you will support the Assurance and Improvement Directorate to ensure that the Care Inspectorate meets its responsibilities as defined by the Public Services Reform Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.

The successful applicant must be registered with a professional body (this can be NMC, GTCS, NMC, HCPC, SSSC), within three months of appointment.

For SSSC registration, there is a specific registration category for Care Inspectorate Authorised Officers (AO). Regulated Care Inspectors who register with SSSC will do so as a Primary Authorised Officer under both types of work (Social Care and Children & Young People). Primary Authorised Officers will require to complete a Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement Practice within 5 years of initial registration.

Employees will be expected to maintain registration with the same professional body throughout their employment in the Care Inspectorate. This includes employees working in authorised officer roles who are recruited to the Care Inspectorate based on their registration with the NMC, GTCS, HCPC or other recognised professional body. It is a contractual requirement to maintain registration with the same professional body and employees should not transfer their registration to the SSSC from another recognised professional body, including the NMC, GTCS or HCPC.

Job profile

Person specification

Downloads: 38090

Inspector (children and young people)

Published: 20 April 2023

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 the field, we’d love to hear from you. We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference - who understand how to put the needs and rights of children and young people in Scotland at the heart of delivering social services – and how to lead improvement too.  

About you

You’ll have recent experience of supporting the delivery of high-quality care for children and young people (CYP) and will have significant knowledge of current developments and challenges within the sector. Joining us will allow you to play an important and exciting role in helping deliver on Scotland’s Promise to children and young people. You’ll have experience as a registered care service manager, deputy manager, social worker, senior social worker or social work manager. You’ll have experience of leadership in your role of supporting looked after children and young people, either in a formal management, senior practitioner position or as a specific project/strategy lead. You should have experience in assessment and critical analysis and be able to communicate well with a wide range of people, verbally and in writing. You will have a strong value base that is rooted in listening to children and young people.

We’re currently recruiting for vacancies in our CYP inspection teams. We would welcome applications from candidates across mainland Scotland. As an inspector you must be able to travel with occasional overnight stays as required.

We are different because of our great benefits, our investment in learning and development, and above all, giving you the opportunity to help shape care in Scotland. We want children and young people to feel loved and secure in whatever setting they are in and to have meaningful connections. We know that there is still much to do for children and young people in Scotland and we are committed to keep The Promise.

What you will be doing as an inspector

Making a difference through working with services delivering care for children and young people. You’ll work with children and young people experiencing services, service providers, managers and staff and be confident in supporting and advising on improving outcomes for children.

We are a proud Corporate Parent with an ambitious plan to take forward our work. We try hard to actively listen to the views of children and young people to support improvement. We have a group of young inspection volunteers, young people with lived experience of care, who support us with this and enhance and influence our work. Inspectors work alongside our young inspection volunteers in lots of ways. There are exciting and innovative plans to develop this partnership approach further.

Click here to watch a short video on what one of our inspectors has said about their role.

The skills you need

You’ll be resilient and adaptable, have the ability to work on your own initiative or as part of a team, manage competing priorities, build effective networks with partners and have strong verbal communication skills. You will be good at analysing information and evidence to reach balanced judgements and you’ll have excellent writing skills to produce reports that are clear, concise and focused on outcomes.

You will listen carefully to children, young people and their families to understand what is important to them, how they are experiencing care and support and the difference services are making to their lives. You’ll work with care service providers, managers and staff and be confident in supporting and advising on improvement. You’re likely to have experience of delivering improvement in a service, experience of partnership working, experience of applying good practice guidance and the ability to respond to and manage change. You will have a sound and insightful understanding of the messages from care experienced children and young people about what is important to them.

We need you to have a relevant qualification (minimum SCQF Level 9) and be registered or eligible to register with a professional body like the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Teaching Council (GTC).

All new entrants will start on the grade minimum for the role however we have a generous benefits package which is highlighted below.

Salary and benefits

  • Salary: £46,569 - £54,975 plus excellent benefits.
  • Network of offices across Scotland.
  • Flexible Hours: 140 hours to be worked over a 4-week period.
  • Up to 37 days annual leave (after 5 years’ service) + 6 fixed public holidays.
  • Contract: Permanent, two-year secondment or locum (where candidates have previously worked for us as inspectors).

We desire to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, that enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a 4-week period. 

In addition to our excellent benefits package, we also 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.

This is an exciting time to join the Care Inspectorate, with an opportunity to be at the heart of change as we play our part in delivering on the Promise to Scotland’s children and young people. We’ve recently changed our recruitment process and how we assess new people and now is the perfect time to come and join us.

What next?

Click here to find out more on our careers site. You can also contact the recruitment team at recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot for further information.

If you’re ready to apply now, please click on the gateway questions link to access the application form. Your application should be received no later than Monday 3 March 2025 at 08:00.

The Care Inspectorate is committed to recruiting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities that we serve. It is vital that we monitor and analyse diversity information so that we can identify how we can improve the way we meet the needs of our applicants and staff. To assist us to monitor the effectiveness of our equality and diversity practices, we would encourage you to complete the equalities monitoring form at the end of the application form.

Click here to apply now

We anticipate holding Stage 1 of our assessment process between Friday 14 - Monday 17 March, and Stage 2 no earlier than Monday 7 April 2025 over a 2 week period at one of our main offices.

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 that would be suitable for you.

Registration information and process

As an inspector you will support the Assurance and Improvement Directorate to ensure that the Care Inspectorate meets its responsibilities as defined by the Public Services Reform Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.

The successful applicant must be registered with a professional body (this can be NMC, GTCS, NMC, HCPC, SSSC), within three months of appointment.

For SSSC registration, there is a specific registration category for Care Inspectorate Authorised Officers (AO). Regulated Care Inspectors who register with SSSC will do so as a Primary Authorised Officer under both types of work (Social Care and Children & Young People). Primary Authorised Officers will require to complete a Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement Practice within 5 years of initial registration.

Employees will be expected to maintain registration with the same professional body throughout their employment in the Care Inspectorate. This includes employees working in authorised officer roles who are recruited to the Care Inspectorate based on their registration with the NMC, GTCS, HCPC or other recognised professional body. It is a contractual requirement to maintain registration with the same professional body and employees should not transfer their registration to the SSSC from another recognised professional body, including the NMC, GTCS or HCPC.

Job profile

Person specification

Downloads: 45140

Inspector (complaints)

Published: 20 April 2023

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. We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference.  

About you

You’ll have considerable experience in health or social work/care as well as significant knowledge of current policy drivers and challenges within the sector. You will have a successful track record in working with people, assessing standards of care, managing conflict and promoting the rights of people who use care services.

We are particularly looking for candidates with rounded experience in the field of children and young people and early learning and children’s care.

We are a national team so would welcome applications from candidates across mainland Scotland. As an inspector you must be able to travel with occasional overnight stays as required.

About us

We are different because of our great benefits, our investment in learning and development, and above all, giving you the opportunity to help shape care in Scotland. 

What you will be doing as an inspector 

Making a difference through working in the complaints teams to ensure people receive good care and resolving complaints across adult services. You’ll work with people experiencing care, care service providers, managers and staff and be confident in supporting and advising on improvement.

The skills you need 

If you think this job is where you can make a real difference to people’s lives, there are a few things you need. Whilst it’s important to have the basics, we will support you in developing your skillset throughout your journey with us.

You’ll be confident about what good-quality care looks like and how to deliver it across children and adult services with a focus on complaints. You’ll be resilient and adaptable, able to work on your own initiative or as part of a team, manage competing priorities, build effective networks with partners, and have strong communication skills. Equally, you’ll be good at analysing information and evidence, and you’ll have excellent writing skills to produce reports that are clear, concise, and focused on outcomes.

We need you to have a relevant qualification (minimum SCQF Level 9) and be registered or eligible to register with a professional body like the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Teaching Council (GTC).

Please see further information at the bottom of this advert on recent updates to the registration process for the SSSC.

All new entrants will start on the grade minimum for the role however we have a generous benefits package which is highlighted below. 

Salary and benefits 

  • Salary: £46,569 - £54,975 plus excellent benefits.
  • Network of offices across Scotland.
  • Flexible Hours: 140 hours to be worked over a 4-week period.
  • Up to 37 days annual leave (after 5 years’ service) + 6 fixed public holidays.
  • Contract: Permanent, two-year secondment or locum (where candidates have previously worked for us as inspectors).

We desire to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, that enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a 4-week period. 

In addition to our excellent benefits package, we also 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.  

This is an exciting time to join the Care Inspectorate, with an opportunity to be at the heart of change as we consider the impact of the independent care review. We’ve recently changed our recruitment process and how we assess new people.  We’re looking to attract inspectors from a broader range of professional backgrounds and now is the perfect time to come and join us. 

What next?

Click here to find out more on our careers site. You can also contact the recruitment team at recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot for further information. 

If you’re ready to apply now, please click here to access our gateway questions and application form. Your application should be received no later than Monday 3 March 2025 at 08:00.

The Care Inspectorate is committed to recruiting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities that we serve. It is vital that we monitor and analyse diversity information so that we can identify how we can improve the way we meet the needs of our applicants and staff. To assist us to monitor the effectiveness of our equality and diversity practices, we would encourage you to complete the equalities monitoring form at the end of the application form.

We anticipate holding Stage 1 of our assessment process between Friday 14 - Monday 17 March, and Stage 2 no earlier than Monday 7 April 2025 over a 2 week period at one of our main offices.

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 that would be suitable for you.

Registration information and process

As an Inspector you will support the Assurance and Improvement Directorate to ensure that the Care Inspectorate meets its responsibilities as defined by the Public Services Reform Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.

The successful applicant must be registered with a professional body (this can be NMC, GTCS, NMC, HCPC, SSSC), within three months of appointment.

For SSSC registration, there is a specific registration category for Care Inspectorate Authorised Officers (AO). Regulated Care Inspectors who register with SSSC will do so as a Primary Authorised Officer under both types of work (Social Care and Children & Young People). Primary Authorised Officers will require to complete a Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement Practice within 5 years of initial registration.

Employees will be expected to maintain registration with the same professional body throughout their employment in the Care Inspectorate. This includes employees working in authorised officer roles who are recruited to the Care Inspectorate based on their registration with the NMC, GTCS, HCPC or other recognised professional body. It is a contractual requirement to maintain registration with the same professional body and employees should not transfer their registration to the SSSC from another recognised professional body, including the NMC, GTCS or HCPC.

Job profile

Person specification

Downloads: 11508

Inspector (early learning and childcare)

Published: 30 April 2021

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 and learning as we are, and you’re experienced in the field, we’d love to hear from you. We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference.

About you

You’ll have recent experience of supporting the delivery of high-quality care and learning for children and you will have significant knowledge of current developments and challenges within the sector. With your expertise in ELC, including school age childcare and childminding, you’ll share our determination that care services should work well for children – every time.

We’re currently recruiting for vacancies in our inspection teams. We welcome applications from candidates across mainland Scotland, particularly Aberdeenshire areas, along with applications from applicants who are fluent in the Gaelic language or willing to develop their skills in this area.

About us

We are different because of our great benefits, our investment in learning and development, and the opportunity this role will give you to help shape high quality experiences in childcare across Scotland.

What you will be doing as an inspector

Making a difference through working with services delivering care and learning for children. You’ll listen carefully to children, and their families to understand what is important to them. You will evauate their experience of ELC, childminding or school aged childcare services. You will engage with care service providers, managers and staff and be confident in advising on improvement to support services to deliver improved outcomes for children.

Click here to watch a short video on what one of our inspectors has said about their role. 

The skills you need

If you think this job is where you can make a real difference to children’s experiences, there are a few things you need. Whilst it’s important to have the basics, we will support you in developing your skillset as an inspector throughout your journey with us.

You’ll be confident about what good-quality care and learning looks like and how to deliver it across the ELC sector. You’ll be resilient and adaptable, can work on your own initiative or as part of a team, manage competing priorities, build effective networks with partners, and have strong communication skills. Equally, you’ll be good at analysing information and evidence, and you’ll have excellent writing skills to produce reports that are clear, concise, and focused on outcomes. You will have a sound and insightful understanding of the challenges facing the ELC sector and be an advocate for children recognising what is important to them.

We need you to have a relevant qualification (minimum SCQF Level 9) and be registered or eligible to register with a professional body like the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Teaching Council (GTC). Please see further information at the bottom of this advert on recent updates to the registration process for the SSSC.

All new entrants will start on the grade minimum for the role however we have a generous benefits package which is highlighted below.

Salary and benefits

  • Salary: £46,569 - £54,975 plus excellent benefits.
  • Network of offices across Scotland.
  • Flexible Hours: 140 hours to be worked over a 4-week period.
  • Up to 37 days annual leave (after 5 years’ service) + 6 fixed public holidays.
  • Contract: Permanent, two-year secondment, or locum (where candidates have previously worked for us as inspectors).

We desire to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, that enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a 4-week period. 

In addition to our excellent benefits package, we also 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.

This is an exciting time to join the Care Inspectorate, with an opportunity to be at the heart of change as we consider the impact of the ELC expansion and the future expansion of one year old care and the Scottish Government’s commitment to school aged childcare. Playing our part in delivering on the Promise to Scotland’s children and young people.

We’ve recently changed our recruitment process and how we assess new people and now is the perfect time to come and join us.

What next?

Click here to find out more on our careers site. You can also contact the recruitment team at recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot for further information.

If you’re ready to apply now, please click here to access our gateway questions and application form. access the application form. Your application should be received no later than Monday 3 March 2025 at 08:00.

The Care Inspectorate is committed to recruiting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities that we serve. It is vital that we monitor and analyse diversity information so that we can identify how we can improve the way we meet the needs of our applicants and staff. To assist us to monitor the effectiveness of our equality and diversity practices, we would encourage you to complete the equalities monitoring form at the end of the application form.

We anticipate holding Stage 1 of our assessment process between Friday 14 - Monday 17 March, and Stage 2 no earlier than Monday 7 April 2025 over a 2 week period at one of our main offices.

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 that would be suitable for you.

Registration information and process

As an Inspector you will support the Assurance and Improvement Directorate to ensure that the Care Inspectorate meets its responsibilities as defined by the Public Services Reform Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.

The successful applicant must be registered with a professional body (this can be NMC, GTCS, NMC, HCPC, SSSC), within three months of appointment.

For SSSC registration, there is a specific registration category for Care Inspectorate Authorised Officers (AO). Regulated Care Inspectors who register with SSSC will do so as a Primary Authorised Officer under both types of work (Social Care and Children & Young People). Primary Authorised Officers will require to complete a Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement Practice within 5 years of initial registration.

Employees will be expected to maintain registration with the same professional body throughout their employment in the Care Inspectorate. This includes employees working in authorised officer roles who are recruited to the Care Inspectorate based on their registration with the NMC, GTCS, HCPC or other recognised professional body. It is a contractual requirement to maintain registration with the same professional body and employees should not transfer their registration to the SSSC from another recognised professional body, including the NMC, GTCS or HCPC.

Job profile

Person specification

Downloads: 37745

Inspector (registration)

Published: 18 May 2018

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 and learning as we are, and you’re experienced in the field, we’d love to hear from you. We are looking for talented people to join us in making a difference.

About you

We are looking to add resource to a team of Inspectors to support the work of the Registration teams.  

You will be able to achieve significant improvement in outcomes for people and children and families through the range of day-to-day responsibilities. The role is different and very varied: 

  • give advice on registration matters both internally and externally
  • assess registration and variation applications across the full range of care service types
  • assess allegations of illegally operating services and take forward regulatory action in this respect. 

You’ll be improvement focused, confident in your professional knowledge base and able to apply it to influence others.  You will be flexible, able to prioritise, to respond to short-notice deadlines and manage an ever-changing caseload. You will work closely with inspection and complaints colleagues in our inspection teams.

We are a national team so would welcome applications from candidates across mainland Scotland. As an inspector you must be able to travel with occasional overnight stays as required.

About us

We are different because of our great benefits, our investment in learning and development, and the opportunity this role will give you to help shape high quality experiences in childcare across Scotland.

What you will be doing as an inspector

Making a difference through working with services delivering care for children and adults. You’ll work with people experiencing services, service providers, managers and staff and be confident in supporting and advising on improving outcomes for children and adults.

Click here to watch a short video on what one of our inspectors has said about their role.

The skills you need

If you think this job is where you can make a real difference to service user’s experiences, there are a few things you need. Whilst it’s important to have the basics, we will support you in developing your skillset as an inspector throughout your journey with us.

You’ll be confident about what good-quality care and learning looks like and how to deliver it across the sector. You’ll be resilient and adaptable, can work on your own initiative or as part of a team, manage competing priorities, build effective networks with partners, and have strong communication skills. Equally, you’ll be good at analysing information and evidence, and you’ll have excellent writing skills to produce reports that are clear, concise, and focused on outcomes. You will have a sound and insightful understanding of the challenges facing the sector and be an advocate for service users recognising what is important to them.

We need you to have a relevant qualification (minimum SCQF Level 9) and be registered or eligible to register with a professional body like the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or General Teaching Council (GTC). Please see further information at the bottom of this advert on recent updates to the registration process for the SSSC.

All new entrants will start on the grade minimum for the role however we have a generous benefits package which is highlighted below.

Salary and benefits

  • Salary: £46,569 - £54,975 plus excellent benefits.
  • Network of offices across Scotland.
  • Flexible Hours: 140 hours to be worked over a 4-week period.
  • Up to 37 days annual leave (after 5 years’ service) + 6 fixed public holidays.
  • Contract: Permanent, two-year secondment, or locum (where candidates have previously worked for us as inspectors).

We desire to achieve an effective and balanced way of working, that enables us to meet organisational needs and achieve a work-life balance that promotes wellbeing and collaboration opportunities. Our hybrid working policy gives you the flexibility to mix working from home with attendance at your base office and other work locations, spending no more than 60% of your working time working from home, measured over a 4-week period. 

In addition to our excellent benefits package, we also 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.

What next?

Click here to find out more on our careers site. You can also contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot for further information.

If you’re ready to apply now, please click here to access our gateway questions and application form. access the application form. Your application should be received no later than Monday 3 March 2025 at 08:00.

The Care Inspectorate is committed to recruiting, retaining and developing a workforce that reflects the diverse communities that we serve. It is vital that we monitor and analyse diversity information so that we can identify how we can improve the way we meet the needs of our applicants and staff. To assist us to monitor the effectiveness of our equality and diversity practices, we would encourage you to complete the equalities monitoring form at the end of the application form.

We anticipate holding Stage 1 of our assessment process between Friday 14 - Monday 17 March, and Stage 2 no earlier than Monday 7 April 2025 over a 2 week period at one of our main offices.

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 that would be suitable for you.

Registration information and process

As an Inspector you will support the Assurance and Improvement Directorate to ensure that the Care Inspectorate meets its responsibilities as defined by the Public Services Reform Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.

The successful applicant must be registered with a professional body (this can be NMC, GTCS, NMC, HCPC, SSSC), within three months of appointment.

For SSSC registration, there is a specific registration category for Care Inspectorate Authorised Officers (AO). Regulated Care Inspectors who register with SSSC will do so as a Primary Authorised Officer under both types of work (Social Care and Children & Young People). Primary Authorised Officers will require to complete a Professional Development Award in Scrutiny and Improvement Practice within 5 years of initial registration.

Employees will be expected to maintain registration with the same professional body throughout their employment in the Care Inspectorate. This includes employees working in authorised officer roles who are recruited to the Care Inspectorate based on their registration with the NMC, GTCS, HCPC or other recognised professional body. It is a contractual requirement to maintain registration with the same professional body and employees should not transfer their registration to the SSSC from another recognised professional body, including the NMC, GTCS or HCPC.

Job profile

Person specification

Downloads: 56715

Subcategories

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 recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scot

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 recruitment@careinspectorate.gov.scotno 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.