Orkney - the complete package!

Year after year we are named one of the best and happiest places to live in the country thanks to our wonderful lifestyle, rich heritage, landscapes, beaches, wildlife, a thriving food and drink sector, world leading energy innovation and community spirit like no other.

So, whether you are already here or looking to make a move - could you be part of Orkney Islands Council’s journey to make a real difference in our communities? Come and Join Us to find out!

We have an exciting and challenging leadership role available - Head of Children, Families and Justice Services and Chief Social Work Officer (CSWO), which covers health and social care Children and Families Services alongside the CSWO role.

As a Council we have invested substantially in our management team and wider resources - and we are prioritising putting the right leaders in place to ensure that this investment pays its dividend in terms of setting and achieving our ambitions.

This is an exciting time to take on this critical senior role within the Extended Corporate Leadership Teams of both the NHS and Council, as we have committed to a programme of change and improvement.

In The Council Plan, the Council has pledged to work tirelessly to safeguard our cherished islands and achieve the best possible outcomes for the people of Orkney and the current NHS clinical strategy identifies Children and Young People as a priority. Living and working in a small community, our staff feel a real sense of community responsibility and want to make our services as good as they can be - in very challenging circumstances - for all who need them or work within them now, and into the future.

Hear from some of them now….

Stephen Brown, Chief Officer of Orkney Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “I came to Orkney to take on this role some two years ago and while it is challenging, I am here to make a difference and that is what I believe I am doing.

“I am committed to a journey of improvement with an open-door policy for staff. We have a responsibility to protect all those in our care – and that includes our workforce.

“I work with a team who genuinely care for those they are tasked with supporting – they go over and above without even realising it. If that sounds like the kind of team you would like to be part of, then come and ‘Join Us’.”

Maureen Swannie is the interim Head of Head of Children, Families and Justice Services including Children’s Health. With a background in nursing, Maureen is a “grow your own” member of staff, having lived in Orkney all her life.

“My overriding reason for taking on the interim post is that I want to make a difference to the lives of children, young people and families and also our staff.

“I want to ensure our staff teams feel and believe they are valued, which, of course, they absolutely are. We are very much looking forward to welcoming and supporting a new Chief Social Work Officer. We’re a fantastic team, so please take a look at what’s on offer.”

Stephen Crew has some 22 years’ service within the caring profession at Orkney Islands Council.

He’s a Registered Manager with Children’s Residential Services and would highly recommend what Orkney has to offer.

“I am very biased having lived in Orkney for most of my life and having brought up two children of my own here when I say there is nowhere better. Orkney is a vibrant, safe community with a good standard of living. It is often said that if you can survive your first winter in Orkney then you will enjoy living here. Orkney gets into your blood and is very hard to leave.”

He also speaks to the “can-do and over and above” attitude adopted by the team around him.

“I am lucky to have a great team with a wealth of experience and skills who due to the nature of the job go over and above in order to support our young people.”

The application process includes an information pack to help answer some questions you may have about living and working in Orkney.

Check out all the relevant details here:

Head of Children, Families and Justice Services and Chief Social Work Officer - | Orkney Islands Council | myjobscotland