Response Officer

Would you like the opportunity to grow, develop your analytical skills and build resilience working in a high-profile team responding to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry?

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry is a major public inquiry that was established under statute and is independent of the Scottish Government. The purpose of the Inquiry is to raise awareness of the abuse of children in care, and in particular, to identify systemic failures that led to abuse happening. The Inquiry may make recommendations to improve legislation, policy, and practice.

The Response Unit to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry sits within the Redress, Relations and Response Division of the Directorate for Children and Families, and co-ordinates the Scottish Government's representation to the Inquiry in its capacity as a core participant. To that end, the Unit anticipates and responds to the policy and wider implications of the Inquiry as it progresses. Part of the work of this role involves the analysis of Scottish Government records, as well as evidence which is released confidentially from the Inquiry to the Scottish Government.

The work is personally and professionally rewarding but can also be challenging. As well as having access to a very supportive team, there will be bespoke professional support covering resilience and self-care available for staff working in the Response Unit.

• Analyse a range of material, including historical records relating to the care and protection of children in care, witness statements, inspection reports, social work records, Scottish Government policies etc.
• Produce high-quality, evidence-based research outputs, including reports and summaries derived from the analysis of a wide range of material and records (detailed above).
• Contribute insight to the Response Unit's understanding of a wide range of policies, regulations and legislation spanning 1930 to 2014.
• Build and sustain effective working relationships across teams and internal stakeholders within the Scottish Government to support the delivery of Inquiry-related actions.
• Enhance analytical practices within the team by promoting efficient approaches to analysis projects, assisting to inform policy coordination and decision-making.
• Demonstrate flexibility and collaboration by supporting colleagues across a high-performing team and contribute to unit and divisional priorities as needed.
• Support core functions, including assisting with drafting responses to Ministerial correspondence, Parliamentary Questions, First Minister's Questions (FMQs), MiCases and Freedom of Information (FoI) requests.