Social Worker (Justice Services)
Glasgow City Council
Job Description
Role – Social Worker (Justice Services)
Location – GCHSCP, Justice Services, Barlinnie Prison, 81 Lee Avenue, Glasgow, G33 2QX
Contract Status – Permanent
Are you interested in working for the largest local authority in Scotland, in partnership with the NHS, to help improve the health and wellbeing of our community? Then you are in the right place!
At Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCHSCP), our team is responsible for delivering Justice Social Work services within HMP Barlinnie. We assess, manage, and support individuals in custody, aiming to help people make positive changes, reduce offending, and protect the public.
We work with a wide range of individuals, many with complex and multiple needs, in partnership with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), health services, community-based social work teams, and third sector organisations.
This is an exciting opportunity to join Prison Based Social Work at HMP Barlinnie and be part of a team delivering a vital frontline service, supporting rehabilitation and preparing individuals for release and reintegration into the community.
As a Social Worker within Prison Based Social Work, you will play a key role in the assessment, management, and support of individuals in custody. This will involve:
• Undertaking comprehensive assessments of risk and need, and contributing to risk management processes
• Preparing high-quality reports, including those for progression, parole, and other statutory purposes
• Supporting rehabilitation and promoting positive outcomes for individuals in custody
• Contributing to release planning and working to support safe and successful reintegration into the community
• Managing a caseload and meeting key performance indicators
• Working collaboratively with SPS, health professionals, community-based social work, and third sector agencies
• Participating in multi-agency meetings, case discussions, and reviews
• Delivering and contributing to interventions aimed at reducing reoffending
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date case records
• Contributing to duty systems and wider team responsibilities
This role offers the opportunity to work within a dynamic and challenging environment, developing specialist skills in justice social work practice. We are committed to supporting both personal and professional development, and training opportunities will be provided.
We are looking for someone who is:
• A qualified Social Worker with current SSSC registration
• Enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to making a difference
• A strong communicator with the ability to build effective working relationships
• Able to undertake complex risk assessments and make informed professional judgments
• Capable of managing competing demands and prioritising workload effectively
• Committed to partnership working and multi-agency collaboration
Applicants must either possess a Degree / Diploma in Social Work (or Social Work equivalent). Please refer to the Person Specification for full details of the required qualifications, skills, knowledge and competencies that are required for the above role.
Registration to the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) is an essential requirement for this role. If you hold a non UK qualification you must be registered before applying for this post. If you hold a UK qualification you must either be already registered or have applied within 3 months and be registered within 6 months from your start date. Please note as part of the local government pay deal, local authority staff are currently not required to pay SSSC fees.
Membership of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme is essential on taking up appointment. Please note successful candidates will be required to pay for their PVG Membership and/or Scheme Checks.
These roles are excepted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exclusions and Exceptions) (Scotland) Order 2013 (as amended).
If you would like to find out more about the role before applying, you can contact:
Derek Archibald Team Leader 0141 770 2123 Derek.Archibald@sw.glasgow.gov.uk
Julie Bennett Service Manager 0141 770 2123 Julie.Bennett@glasgow.gov.uk
Working for us!
For more information on Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (GCC) please visit the following websites:
GCC Website and GCC Conditions of Service
Application Packs
We want everyone to be able to apply. If you need the Application Pack in another format, like Braille, large print, or another language, please call us on 0141 287 1054.
If we need to post it to you, we’ll send it by second-class mail within three working days. Please allow enough time to complete and return your application before the closing date. If you think you might need more time because of accessibility needs, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
There are also a number of Accessibility Tools compatible with the myjobscotland website which may assist you with your application. More information on these can be found at https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/accessibility-statement.
Further Information
Please note that Glasgow City Council is currently completing a Job Evaluation exercise and introducing a new pay and grading structure which may impact on current salaries quoted in job adverts, see