Social Care Worker

Healthcare & Medical
Caithness
May 1, 2026
Permanent
Urgent

Job Description

Overview

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of people? Do you want to help people thrive, not just survive? Would you love to work in a remote and rural community? Then this could be just the job you are looking for. A career opportunity has arisen for a suitably experienced social care worker at Melvich Community Care Unit, Portskerra, Sutherland.

We are looking for a caring, compassionate and reliable person who is interested in supporting people in your community. This is an extremely rewarding role where you will be proud of the difference you make.

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual who can work both on an individual basis and as a member of a team. You will adopt a person-centred approach to deliver a high standard of flexible and responsive care to our 6 service users within the care home. You will provide support and assistance to service users using the re-ablement approach to maximise and maintain their independence.

This post is responsible for leading the shift, administration of medication and to support and guide other care staff to meet the needs of the residents. You will undertake a key working role within the service, so you should have knowledge and experience of Support Planning and the reviewing process and risk assessing in relation to older people.

Previous experience in a social care setting is essential and ideally you will hold an SVQ 3 in social care or as a minimum hold SVQ 2 with a willingness to achieve an SVQ 3 in Social Care and register with the SSSC as a Practitioner in a Care Home Service for Adults.

This is a permanent full-time post of 36 hours per week, predominantly working a mixture of early shifts 07:30-15:30 and late shifts 14:30-22:00 but also includes a mix of weekday and weekend working.

Informal enquiries regarding the post to: Gemma Mackenzie, Care Home Manager Tel or e-mail

Recruitment team can be contacted by e-mail:

Responsibilities

  • Lead the shift and provide medication administration support as required.
  • Support and guide other care staff to meet the needs of residents.
  • Undertake a key working role within the service with knowledge of Support Planning, reviewing processes and risk assessment for older people.
  • Deliver person-centred, flexible and responsive care to service users using a re-ablement approach to maximise independence.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Previous experience in a social care setting is essential.
  • SVQ 3 in social care or SVQ 2 with willingness to achieve SVQ 3 and registration with the SSSC as a Practitioner in a Care Home Service for Adults.

Contract and Hours

This is a permanent full-time post of 36 hours per week, predominantly working a mixture of early shifts (07:30-15:30) and late shifts (14:30-22:00), with a mix of weekday and weekend working.

Additional Information for Candidates

  • Effective from 1st April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will be reduced from 37 to 36 hours. Part-time hours will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis with an increase in the hourly rate to keep pay unchanged.
  • Applications are welcome from Gaelic speakers.
  • You should apply for this post by completing the application process on Jobtrain. Do not upload a CV as it will not be used for short-listing purposes.
  • Posts close at midnight on the indicated date.
  • For help to complete an application on Job Train please follow the provided link.
  • To view our accessibility statement, please follow the provided link.
  • Please note that our correspondence method is by e-mail; ensure you enter your e-mail address accurately and check regularly (including junk folders) for updates.
  • Contact Jobtrain Candidate Support Hub for advice on system issues.
  • We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge when using Jobtrain.
  • Once you have submitted your application form you will be unable to make amendments.
  • Some vacancies are for internal candidates only; if you are a member of staff, reflect this in your Jobtrain profile.

NHS Highland is geographically the largest of the 14 regional boards of NHS Scotland, covering an area of 12,500 square miles, across Highland and Argyll & Bute. We employ over 10,700 people and strive to create a positive culture guided by NHS and social care values.

Care and compassion, dignity and respect, openness, honesty and responsibility, quality and teamwork are core values observed across the organisation.

Location

Related Jobs