Who are we looking for and why work at Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS)?
At CHS we recruit, train and support empathetic and committed volunteers across Scotland. Our volunteer roles are Panel Members and Area Support Team (AST) members.
Our 2,500 volunteer Panel Members take part in children’s hearings in their local areas, making decisions with and for infants, children and young people. Our organisation also supports a network of 22 Area Support Teams made up of 400 volunteers who support Panel Members in their local communities. This role provides a great opportunity to help vulnerable children and young people and their families and also to support our volunteer community by enhancing practice.
We are looking for someone with a proven track record in handling feedback and complaints. You’ll be the first point of contact, either by e-mail, web form or telephone. You’ll have great interpersonal skills, be an excellent communicator and be able to multi-task and prioritise effectively.
You will need to capture the detail of the complaint accurately, establish what outcomes are required and work with our volunteer community and other partners to establish the facts so that you can respond to the complaint appropriately within the timelines required.
You’ll need a good understanding of public sector complaints and the requirements of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman’s model complaints handling procedure.
Supporting the Complaints Management Officer you will be involved with several exciting projects we are working on, including the development of a more child friendly complaints policy and an improved feedback loop.
You’ll also need a good eye for detail, be comfortable using complaints management systems and be familiar with Office 365 products, including Teams, and be able to produce reports in relation to complaints and have the confidence and skills to engage with our partners and senior leaders.
Feedback & Complaints at CHS
We are keen to enhance or feedback channels and our primary aim is to resolve most of our complaints at the frontline, without the need for formal investigation. As Complaints Officer, you will play a key role in improving processes relating to feedback and complaints management. As well as handling complaints in line with SPSO guidelines we also have a pastoral responsibility for our volunteer community so it’s important to understand what that means and get the balance just right.
You will have the opportunity to get involved in other projects which will enhance our insight and awareness of the experience of children and young people in hearings as well as from other partners.
Complaints sits within the practice and policy team at CHS and that provides the perfect route for us to take the learning from complaints and feedback and translate that in to practical guidance for our volunteers.
Life at CHS
As an organisation that works within the children’s hearings system, we are passionate about making a positive contribution to improving outcomes for Scotland’s infants, children and young people. Our values are at the very heart of what we do every day. By working with us, you’ll be joining a diverse community of colleagues and volunteers.
At CHS we are proud to celebrate difference. We all have different skills, experience and backgrounds and we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture where you can be yourself.
We offer an excellent benefits package, from health and wellness to finances and family. including: generous annual leave, flexible working and other leave policies, fantastic pension, Employee Assistance Programme, development opportunities and wider employee wellbeing initiatives.
Diversity and Inclusion
CHS is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We actively encourage applicants from all protected characteristics and commit to providing any reasonable adjustments required during application and assessment process, and upon joining CHS.
For more details and to apply, please download the application pack from the CHS website which includes information about the organisation, full job description and person specification, as well as the application link and instructions. If you wish to apply for this post, please complete the CHS application form via the link in on our website. CVs are not accepted.
If you would like to discuss any working differently requirements or adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment and selection process please contact jobs@CHS.gov.scot
For an informal and confidential discussion on the role, please email jobs@CHS.gov.scot and we will arrange for one of our leadership team to contact you.
Closing Date: 09 May 2022
Interviews will be held within a few weeks of closing date Thistle House Edinburgh (Virtual Interviews can be arranged as an alternative)
After the closing date, this role profile won’t be available on our website, so please save a copy when you apply.