Job title: inspector

Qualifications and professional registration essential criteria 

Professional registration

Be registered with or eligible to register with one of the following regulatory bodies:

  • Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
  • General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS)
  • Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
  • Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)

(Applicable only to occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and practitioner psychologists)

  • Other equivalent professional bodies across the UK nations

If applying under SSSC registration, you must hold a suitable practice qualification at the appropriate SCQF level. For details on acceptable qualification, please refer to our recruitment pages.

Hold, or be willing to undertake one of the following regulatory awards:

  • Regulation of Care Award
  • PDA Scrutiny and Improvement Practice (Social Services) – SCQF Level 10

Qualifications

Hold a qualification that meets the registration requirements of the relevant regulatory body – SCQF Level 9 (e.g. degree in social work, nursing)

Method of assessment

  • Application review and documentation

Experience essential criteria

Professional expertise

Significant professional expertise in the sector relevant to the role:

  • adult social care
  • healthcare
  • early learning and childcare
  • children and young people.

Experience

Demonstrable experience showing leadership and accountability in complex professional practice. This may include:

  • Leading case management
  • Overseeing projects or resources
  • Providing expert guidance to colleagues
  • Taking the lead on service development or improvement initiatives

Method of assessment

  • Application review and interview

Skills/abilities essential criteria

Evidence based professional judgement - Applies sector knowledge and critical thinking to deliver accurate, insightful advice and robust professional judgements.

Analytical decision making - Identifies priorities, gathers and evaluates evidence, and considers multiple options before reaching well-reasoned, defensible decisions.

Complex evaluation - Weighs up conflicted or nuanced information to form sound conclusions, and records findings clearly and systematically.

Effective communication - Communicates with clarity and impact, verbally and in writing, tailored to diverse audiences.

Relationship building - Builds constructive relationships with individuals and organisations at all levels, fostering trust and collaboration in scrutiny and improvement contexts.

Digital literacy - Strong digital literacy, including the use of Microsoft 365 and an ability to quickly learn and confidently use new software to collect, analyse and communicate evidence securely and effectively across all platforms.

Method of assessment

  • Application review, practical exercise and interview 

Inspector competencies

Supporting and co-operating 

Outcomes:

  • Demonstrates respect, empathy, and positive regard for others, creating a sense of inclusion and belonging
  • Prioritises people, working effectively with individuals, teams, and those who use care services to build trust and empowerment
  • Acts with integrity, aligning personal values with professional standards and organisational ethos, and our aspiration for accountability
  • Recognises the limits of their own expertise, seeks guidance when needed, and actively fosters a culture of listening, learning and improving.

Method of assessment

  • Practical exercise and interview 

Communication and presenting

Outcomes:

  • Communicates with clarity, credibility, and professionalism to support trust and accountability
  • Builds strong relationships and engages confidently with diverse stakeholders, strengthening connection and collaboration
  • Considers the impact of decisions on people and aligns actions with Care Inspectorate values of person-centred, respect, integrity, equity and impact
  • Understands the broader strategic and policy context in which the organisation operates and contributes ideas to help shape the future
  • Responds positively to change, remains resilient under pressure, and role models a culture of learning and improvement
  • Manages setbacks constructively, maintaining focus on performance and delivery
  • Tailors communication style to suit different audiences and contexts, empowering others to engage effectively.

Method of assessment

  • Practical exercise and interview

Analysing and interpreting

Outcomes:

  • Applies a structured and analytical approach to problem solving, balancing rigour with accountability and fairness
  • Identifies core issues within complex scenarios and responds with sound judgement that enables trust in outcomes
  • Uses expertise effectively and embraces new technologies to enhance practice, supporting continuous learning and improvement
  • Produces high-quality written communication tailored to purpose and audience, ensuring impact on performance and delivery
  • Contributes evidence and insight that supports shaping the future of scrutiny and improvement in care.

Method of assessment

  • Practical exercise and interview

Organising and executing 

  • Plans and prioritises workload across the short, medium, and longer term
  • Delivers high-quality services that meet or exceed expectations
  • Responds flexibly to changing demands and conflicting priorities
  • Works independently with initiative and minimal supervision.

Method of assessment

  • Application review and interview