OVERALL PURPOSE OF JOB:
- To contribute to and support the Boroughs Together Vision including the implementation of our Strategic Improvement Plan for Children's Services; the Children and Young People's plan and specific improvement initiatives related to external regulation.
- To embed our Restorative approach to the culture and our Systemic model of social work practice.
- To be an active member of the Service management team, to work collaboratively with colleagues and external stakeholders to achieve our service plans and priorities.
- To have whole team leadership responsibility for the delivery of statutory services within a defined service area within the Children's Social Care and Safeguarding Directorate consistently applying high standards to deliver good outcomes for children, care leavers, and their families.
- To provide direct line management and supervision to a team of up to 14 practitioners; up to 2 Assistant Team Managers; Senior Social Workers and newly qualified social workers undertaking their ASYE year and student social workers.
- The post holder will have budgetary responsibility of a variable amount according to the service-specific delivery e.g. section 17 Children in Need (CA 1989).
REQUIREMENTS:
- Recognised Social Work Qualification & Registration with Social Work England.
- Significant experience of team management and practice supervision in a statutory social work setting that includes having responsibility for high-risk cases and care planning for children with SEND
- Highly able to use and apply data and management information to achieve continuous team improvement
- Able to manage social workers undertake effective appraisals and support practitioners in their continuous professional development including drafting of performance/practice improvement plans.
BENEFITS:
- Permanent salaries have increased by circa £4500 in 15 months due to the 2 most recent public sector payrise agreements - there will be another payrise agreed in 2024/25 (not sure that this quite matches up with locum TM pay yet, but it's getting there).
- We're a GOOD local authority focused on reaching excellence.
- Ofsted graded our senior leadership as OUTSTANDING.
- Stability: 100% of our Service Managers and 71% of Team Managers are permanent.
- Our firmly established practice model, Circles of Support, was recently nominated for the prestigious MJ Award for Innovation in Children's Services and allows systemic, restorative practice to flourish.
- We offer genuine flexible/hybrid working as long as children and families are supported.
- Career progression; we promoted 30 internal colleagues in 2023.
- Social Care Academy - 47 social workers have studied for systemic higher education with us since 2020. Our Academy offer received significant praise from Ofsted.
- A competitive package for Team Managers of up to £62,201 (includes market supplement).
- Oyster card/parking permit for business use.
- Wellbeing service, leisure and discount benefits (Council scheme).
- Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension.