The Role

COMMITMENT TO INSPIRE

WE GIVE YOU WHAT THEY NEED

At Wandsworth, we believe that if we invest in new ways of thinking and working, you'll have everything you need to do the job you trained for. In turn, that means we're able to deliver the best possible support for children and young people.

Working closely alongside our Team Manager to deliver our vision and strategic values, you will have direct responsibility for three or four social workers, as well as any newly-qualified colleagues, students, trainees and support staff.

Using management information and audit findings, you will oversee performance management and quality assurance, making certain that examples of excellence are shared. You will also mentor and support social workers in dealing with their most complex cases - ensuring that they receive high-quality supervision and that team members have the opportunity for reflection and analysis.

We'll expect you to deputise for the Team Manager when required and support them across a range of areas, including recruitment and retention of staff and the chairing of meetings.

In lieu of carrying your own caseload, you will be expected to act as an expert in this specialist field, offering advice and guidance, while establishing collaborative working with allied health and social care professionals. You will bring together and co-ordinate the team around the child to ensure a multi-disciplinary approach to safeguarding.

An HCPC-registered graduate with an appropriate social work qualification, it's obviously vital you have systematic knowledge of relevant legislation and are familiar with new evidence-based research. We are also looking for an advanced qualification in social work (such as a specialist award in working with children and families) or evidence that you can work to this level.

You will have experience of managing a team or service with a similar complex caseload and will have a well-developed understanding of assessment, planning and intervention.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays. 

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as Performance Related Pay, membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts at many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments. A wide range of developmental opportunities are also offered.

How to apply?

Please complete all the sections of the application form or alternatively, you can provide us with an updated CV which contains full employment history including start and end dates, role title, key responsibilities and reasons for leaving. Include reasons for any gaps in paid employment and any voluntary work. You are welcome to provide any additional information to support your application. The information you give will be used to decide if you should be shortlisted for interview.

If you are having difficulty in applying online, please contact the Recruitment team on 020 8871 8825 or recruitment@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk to see if we can offer alternative arrangements for you to apply.

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