SERVICE MANAGER
Croydon
£50,000 - £55,000 per annum
About Our Client
Established in 1996, our client offers social work services to families across the UK. With two residential family-care centres, they aim to provide an independent range of services for children and their families to give the best opportunities for children to remain with their parents if it is in the child's best interests.
They offer a range of bespoke parenting assessments within a multidisciplinary team. Assessments and interventions are tailored to meet the needs of the service users (child and parent).
Our client is a highly regarded, Ofsted regulated service, having worked within the family courts for over 26 years and pioneering the viability assessments. They offer a range of assessment models to improve the outcomes for children and families. They pride themselves on the relationships they establish with children and families placed with them empowering and supporting them to engage in change.
Their work environment includes:
- Diverse workforce
- Casual work attire
- On-the-job formal training (CPD)
- Lively atmosphere
- Growth opportunities
The Role
Responsible for the day-to-day management, leadership, and strategic direction of the centre. This role involves ensuring that high-quality assessment services are delivered to families, overseeing daily operations, managing a multidisciplinary team, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. The Service Manager will play a pivotal role in safeguarding children and supporting families, working closely with external agencies to provide comprehensive assessments and care plans. You will lead and manage a team of residential family social workers and support workers, generate high-quality observation reports, and attend court proceedings as required.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership and Management:
- Provide Leadership
: Lead, direct, and inspire a team of family support workers to deliver outstanding services.
- Staff Management
: Assist in recruitment, training, supervision, and performance management of staff. Ensure that staff are supported and motivated to perform their roles effectively.
- Service Delivery
: Oversee the delivery of thorough and accurate assessments of families, ensuring reports are completed to a high standard and within required timeframes.
- Service Management
: Manage a Residential Family Assessment Centre, ensuring efficient operation in accordance with relevant legislation, procedures, policies, and the Statement of Purpose.
- Safeguarding
: Take lead responsibility for ensuring that all safeguarding practices are adhered to, maintaining a safe environment for children and families.
- Service Improvement
: Continuously evaluate and improve the centre's services, implementing changes to enhance service delivery and outcomes for families.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- Degree in social work or a related field, with registration with a relevant professional body.
- Extensive experience in social work, child protection, or family services, with significant experience in a leadership or management role.
- Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, safeguarding procedures, and family assessment processes.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to produce high-quality reports and present to stakeholders.
- Proven ability to manage a multidisciplinary team and work collaboratively with external partners.
Desirable:
- Postgraduate qualification in social work, management, or a related field.
- Experience in a residential family assessment setting.
- Knowledge of Quality Assurance Frameworks and experience in implementing quality improvement initiatives.
Personal Attributes:
- Leadership
: A strong, compassionate leader with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
- Resilience
: Able to handle complex and emotionally challenging situations with professionalism.
- Integrity
: Demonstrates a commitment to ethical practice and safeguarding principles.
- Problem-Solving
: Strong analytical and decision-making skills, with the ability to resolve complex issues effectively.
- Adaptability
: Flexible and open to change, with the ability to manage competing priorities.
Benefits:
- Great salary
- Company pension
- Career progression
- Specialist training
- On-site parking