The Role

Would you like to improve the outcomes for children and young people who have been in care?

Would you like to support young people to build bright and stable futures for themselves?

Would you like to spend every day at work knowing that you have made a difference in the lives of young people who face challenges with their mental health?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Children Looked After Service is looking to recruit two team managers to join our amazing team in Wandsworth and help play a central role in achieving positive outcomes for children between the age of 0-18 years old!

Our Vision

Here in Wandsworth we are on an exciting journey of transformation. We have developed our Practice Model and preparing for the implementation of the Family Safeguarding Approach. Family Safeguarding is a way of keeping families together where it is safe to do so. It was developed and promoted by Hertfordshire and is funded by the Department of Education. Wandsworth will be the first Local Authority in London to implement this new way of working.

We are investing massively on all our staff, our leaders as well as partners to enable us to make a success of our engagement with families and communities. We passionately 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. We have an incredibly sound, solid and strong leadership in Ana Popovici and Paul Angeli who have an exciting vision in transforming our approaches to the most vulnerable in society.

About the team

This is an exciting opportunity to join our friendly social work team led by engaging and supportive senior managers who are striving to continue improving and developing the service. Close supervision is provided to help support our social workers drive forward children’s care plans.

By implementing the Family Safeguarding model we are working towards caseloads reducing across the team so that our social workers can focus on doing what social workers are trained to do and positively make a difference in the lives of young people in the borough.

About the role

Wandsworth Social Services require experienced and motivational team managers to lead a talented group of social workers within CLA and UASC teams. As a team Manager you will manage, develop and maximise operational relationships within the team and Partners to deliver an effective Children Looked After service, which is timely, within budget and in line with policies and procedures.  You will provide quality supervision so that they can positively work with children, young people and their families to champion their needs whilst building trust and confidence

To be shortlisted your CV and personal statement will demonstrate:

• You have relevant CLA team management experience or proven experience of supervising and undertaking management and leadership role.
• You are a motivated innovator who is committed to working with multi-cultural communities and collaborating effectively with partners from Education, Adoption and Fostering whilst trying to achieve permanency for our children. 
• You are an effective communicator with strong presentation skills.

Benefits

The Shared Staffing Arrangement aims to be at the forefront of innovation in local government and the organisation will invest in your development and ensure the opportunities for progression that only a large organisation can provide.

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance including a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays (pro rata). In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as 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 is also offered.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date: 11:59pm on Sunday 15^th November 2020
• Interview Date: To be confirmed

Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage and could be subject to change. 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. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

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).

How to apply?

To be considered for interview your CV and supporting statement (no longer than 1 side of a4) must highlight your knowledge, skills and experience listed in attached Job Profile located at the bottom of the advert.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Hilary Galloway by email Hilary.Galloway@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils