Planning Officer x2 - MID

Job Vacancy

Children’s Services continues to be impacted by the complex needs of the children and families that we support. This is an exciting opportunity to be the front of service development and review. These roles will lead the review, planning and development of internal resources including our workforce. This will include planning to increase internal support services including residential care, commissioned services, and workforce planning.

Candidates need a depth of understanding of modern social work practice and the challenges that face service delivery. The post holder will need highly developed communication skills to support stakeholder engagement, writing policy and reports.

Queries can be directed to Rebe

The jobholder must hold a degree level qualification in social work or an acceptable equivalent discipline or a post-graduate qualification from a recognised professional institute.

In order to exercise the wider remit of the post, in particular the awareness of professional and legislative changes and the development of good practice following the publication of reports, a jobholder requires post-qualifying experience to include the following:

• direct practice experience of service planning or development
• substantial experience in the delivery or management of services within a social care environment
• practical experience of partnership working and joint commissioning
• proven report writing and presentation skills.

This experience is gained through having held a variety of roles in the service provision field.

The jobholder calls on a knowledge of social work and related legislation, a wide knowledge of Council policies, and an understanding of the needs and expectations of external partners and providers and must have an understanding of the interrelationship between individual and aggregated need in order to assess, prioritise and choose between options.

This Post requires education to degree level with postholders frequently having undertaken additional post qualifying training or having considerable post qualifying experience. Professional qualification in Social Work, Health, or related discipline.

In order to exercise the wider remit of the post, in particular the awareness of professional and legislative changes and the development of good practice following the publication of reports, a jobholder requires post-qualifying experience to include the following:

• Direct practice experience of service planning or development.
• Substantial experience in the delivery or management of services within a social care environment.
• Practical experience of partnership working and joint commissioning.
• Proven report writing and presentation skills.

This experience is gained through having held a variety of roles in the service provision field.

- Essential understanding of Adult Social Care and Health and Community service systems, and awareness of transition and complex connections, relationships, and pathways between Services.

- Essential and contemporary specialist knowledge relating to one or more service areas. Acting as a conduit to national strategic development; knowledge of best practice and research, introducing this to and implementing within local practice. e.g. Learning disabilities, Older People, Mental Health, and ability to draw on practice in these areas, and issues relevant to service users and clients within these services.

CLOSING DATE - Sunday 18th January 2026

INTERVIEW DATE - February 2026 TBC

Position Title:

Planning Officer x2

Directorate:
Children, Young People & Partnerships

Location:

Fairfield House

Contract Status:
Fixed term for 2 years

Hours of Work: 36

Working Pattern:
Monday - Friday

Weeks per year: 52

Please note that it is Midlothian Councils policy that successful applicants will be appointed to the first point on the salary scale.

Based on 36 hours over 52 weeks per year, the minimum actual salary for this position is £48,370.86 per annum.

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and Protected Adults under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children or…