The Role

Paul Angeli, Assistant Director for Families and Communities

“I am committed to developing a culture and environment where social care practitioners are valued and recognised. I want staff in the department to feel safe, supported and to be well managed and we have lots of work taking place to achieve this. I am working with staff to build a positive culture that will help to build a strong community of practice.”

Can you inspire, encourage and develop amazing social work teams to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people?

If the answer is yes, then we want to encourage you to consider becoming our next Head of Service for Families and Communities!

Our vision

Wandsworth is an inspiring well-resourced and diverse local authority. Things are rapidly changing in Wandsworth. We have a newly appointed Director of Children’s Services and Assistant Director for Children and Families with ambitious plans to lead Wandsworth to good and outstanding. We are working with new projects and ways of working which are very exciting. This includes introducing systemic practice; being part of the innovation programme and introducing the Family Safeguarding Model; and planning to work with Coram on a New Beginnings programme for our care leavers.

About the service

The aim of the service is to provide support to children in need. These incorporates work  with children subject to child protection plans, on the edge of care and those coming into the care system. The teams in this service area have responsibility for most Care Proceedings, developing permanency for children and ensuring vulnerable adolescents are well safeguarded. Working along colleagues in other team and specialist resources the service undertakes assessments, reviews and interventions of children in need and looked after.

About the role

It’s a role where you will have a key strategic leadership and effective delivery of safeguarding and looked after children’s services for children and families.

You will have responsibility for children in need and those in need of protection as well as being responsible for supporting the Assistant Director in their strategic oversight of Vulnerable Adolescent work across the Division and ensuring that consistent, high quality practice is embedded in relation to CSE and missing children and young people.

You will lead practice in your area developing and embedding the family Safeguarding approach. You will also be supporting the development and embedding of the Practice Model.

The successful candidate will also ensure effective performance management of the service to ensure improved outcomes for children and young people.  The intention is to develop and lead the service to become a best practice example of innovative work with children and families

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 12^th July 2020
• Interview Date: TBC

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 must address the requirements listed in attached Job Profile located at the bottom of the advert.

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

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils