The Role

Does the sound of working for an amazing service, where you can truly make a difference whilst feeling supported appeal to you?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our business support service are looking to recruit a full-time permanent Business Support Manager to join our amazing team at Wandsworth and help play a central role in achieving positive outcomes for children & young people!

About the service

Here at Wandsworth Childrens Services, we are passionate about delivering fantastic services for children.  We couldn’t deliver these services without the commitment of our incredible Business Support Service.

We have recently conducted a review of business support across Childrens Services and have reorganised the whole service to sit under one umbrella.  This will ensure that there is an efficient, flexible, confidential and responsive service to meet the needs of the Children’s Services department.

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Business Support Manager to join our newly created service. You will lead on the strategic development of the Business Support Service in relation to Children’s Social Care. You will work with Senior Service Managers to ensure that the business support service meets their needs in providing effective administration support, robust financial processes and by providing advice and expertise on business support systems, data protection/GDPR and Council policies and procedures. So, it is essential that you have an in depth understanding of the way in which the Children’s Services Department delivers its services.

The successful candidate will directly manage 7 Principal Business Support Officers, who in turn manage teams of business support officers in MASH, YOT and across Social Care.  You will have overall responsibility for approx. 40 staff. 

This is a challenging post in a fast-moving service, and you will need to have worked in or have a good knowledge of Children’s Services in a Local Authority setting.  Your role is pivotal in ensuring a flexible, efficient and responsive support service is provided. We are looking for someone to help shape and develop business support to meet the needs of this busy area.

You will report directly to the Head of Business Support Service and work closely with your counterpart BSM, ensuring that the business support service is consistent across the directorate.  You will be a key player in the wider Childrens Service’s department, and you will need to have a flexible approach in supporting other areas and at times may even be required to work elsewhere across the directorate.   In turn, we will ensure that you get all the support, training and development you need to be able to successfully undertake your role.

To be shortlisted to interview for this position your CV and personal statement will clearly evidence you have:

• have managed a large team of staff previously, including dealing with issues, concerns and grievances
• be able to support and develop your team with regular meetings, monthly 1-2-1s and on-going training
• have a good understanding of social care services across Childrens Services
• have experience of budget control and finance to ensure your team carry out financial transactions in accordance with audit procedures
• have proven experience of reviewing procedures and processes, making recommendations and implementing changes

If you’d like an informal discussion or to know more about the role, please contact Rebecca Fitzgerald at Rebecca.Fitzgerald@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Benefits

Now what else can we offer you that will enhance your work-life balance you ask? We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate flexible working including working from home. We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date: 11:59pm on Sunday 14^th February 2021
• Shortlisting Date: Week commencing 15^th February 2021
• Interview Date: To be confirmed

Useful Information:

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Please note that the advertised dates for interviews may change due to the current Covid-19 situation. If they do, we will let you know as soon as possible. Your health and wellbeing is our top priority. Should you become unwell due to Covid-19 during the recruitment process we would very much appreciate receiving an update from you as soon as possible.

Equality Statement

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils