Social Care Assistant, Short Breaks and Supported Living Network - ORK10705


Company:	Orkney Islands Council
Salary:	£34,468 - £35,168
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Kirkwall, KW15 1RP
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	17 Aug 2026
Closing date:	30 Aug 2026

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Summary

Advert

Social Care Assistant

Short Breaks and Supported Living Network

24.33 hours per week*

Permanent

£34,468 - £35,168 pro rata

£17.87 - £18.23 per hour

The above amounts include shift allowance and Distant Islands Allowance.

This post also attracts a

Golden Hello Payment of £2,000 and is eligible for the

Refer a Friend Scheme payment of £750 – please see attached Terms and Conditions, and the Information Sheet for more information about this scheme and other benefits.

*It is essential that the above posts are occupied by a female and Part 1 of Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010 will apply.

We are seeking two dedicated Social Care Assistants to join our Short Breaks and Supported Living Network Service within Orkney Health and Care. This service provides high-quality, person-centred support to adults with learning disabilities and their families, enabling independence and inclusion in the community.

The post holders will help ensure high-quality, responsive care that promotes independence and wellbeing and will contribute to support planning and risk assessment processes, in collaboration with the Senior Social Care Worker and wider team.

The successful candidates will support an individual who is transitioning to independent living in Kirkwall. You will promote choice, dignity, and wellbeing. The role includes supporting daily living tasks and helping and supporting the individual access community activities such as music, social events, cinema, swimming, walking, and day trips.

These posts will be required to provide overnight support in the form of sleep-in duties, for which the post holder will receive a sleep-in allowance of £14.14 which is equivalent to the Scottish Local Government Living Wage.

Applicants must have a person-centred approach, with excellent communication skills, understand Health and Social Care Standards and Care Inspectorate requirements and be able to demonstrate professionalism and a commitment to social inclusion.

Ideally, candidates will hold an SVQ Level 2 in Health and Social Care, or other equivalent level qualification to enable registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and have experience supporting adults with learning disabilities. Where the essential qualification is not held, applicants must be willing to achieve this within three years of appointment. Successful applicants must register with the SSSC within 3 months of appointment to the role.

Requirements

This post involves a contractual requirement to:

• work unsocial hours on a rota,

click here for Unsocial Hours Information.

This post is a regulated role with adults and requires Level 2 Disclosure with PVG scheme membership.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Joanna Nicholson, Registered Manager, on 01856 871431/01856 871960 or Kristin Soames/Laura Harcus, Senior Social Care Workers on 01856 871431.

Applications close at 23:59 on Sunday 30 August 2026 with shortlisting and interviews following.

For information on applying and our recruitment process,

click here for Information for Applicants.

We would welcome your

feedback on our recruitment process.

Orkney Islands Council is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of age, gender, race or ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity status or gender reassignment status.

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