Job Description

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

Based in DG Health and Social Care, this role sits within the Improving Mental Health Services Division within the Mental Health, Social Care and NCS Directorate. The Division currently comprises three Units working with system leaders to ensure people can access the right mental health services and neurodevelopmental support at the right time and in the right place.

As a team leader within the Care, Support and Access Unit, the postholder will be responsible for leading on adult neurodevelopmental policy. Under the leadership of the Unit Head, the postholder will work collaboratively with two other C1s working on CYP Neurodevelopment, CAMHS and specialist and regional CAMHS, perinatal and infant mental health services and eating disorders policies. The post involves direct line management responsibility for 1-2 members of staff and overall responsibility for a team of 3-4 officials, including professional advisers.

As part of its ongoing re-organisation, the Directorate is putting a focus on flexibility and adaptability, ensuring we always have the right level of resourcing to support our priorities. The postholder will model leadership in terms of flexibility, positivity, and supporting the ongoing evolution of Directorate and Division priorities and structures.

As the Adult Neurodevelopmental (ND) Policy Team Leader, you will be working in a politically high-profile, busy and exciting policy area within a small collaborative and supportive team / Unit. The role will provide opportunities to make a significant contribution in an area of Scottish Government policy that has significant public, policy and political interest, including a Manifesto commitment to roll out a new approach to support the needs of neurodivergent adults seeking services, assessment and diagnosis.

The role involves collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders working on related policy topics including Children & Young People’s ND, learning disabilities, and related health and social care spaces. The role involves significant Ministerial engagement given the profile of this policy issue, giving the postholder the opportunity to build on their current experience of delivering in a fast paced, high profile environment focused on delivery of Ministerial priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and play an active role in progressing delivery of the Manifesto commitment to “work with partners across Scotland to adopt the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ 4-tiered national pathway for neurodevelopmental conditions to ensure anyone with or without a formal neurodevelopmental diagnosis can access the support they need when and where they need it”.

• Lead the development of policy to support improved neurodevelopmental support across Scotland, providing advice to Ministers on how to implement the 4-tiered approach, and on sound use of funding to progress this commitment, in line with agreed financial management processes.

• Lead on improvements to support for neurodivergent adults including continued work to scope a workstream to develop assessment standards for private providers delivering ND assessments, leading on advice to Ministers on assessment standards, and on development of SIGN guides for ND conditions.

• Lead on data improvement to inform approaches to development of new supports and services for neurodivergent adults.

• Play an active part in thecollective leadership of the team, Unit, Division and Directorate, including driving forward delivery of agreed Ministerial / Directorate priorities, ensuring resources are matched to those priorities and that there is strong collaboration with other Team Leaders and the Unit Head in driving the priorities of the Unit’s work.

• Model leadership by providing structures that support the team, including actively managing performance and development among the team, providing constructive feedback and encouraging a focus on learning and development.

Working pattern

This role is a temporary position with an expected commitment of 12 months.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive C1 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Vacancy closes at 11:59pm.

Selection Process

All applications will be invited to an informal discussion with the hiring manager.

Informal discussions are to be confirmed.

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact Suzi.Macpherson@gov.scot

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.