The Role

Do you see yourself promoting good practise in social work?

Would you like the opportunity to shape and develop lives of children?

Would you like to join a council that promotes positive outcomes for children?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

We are looking for a Special Guardianship and Permanency Team Manager to join our Children Looked After service and play a central role in achieving positive outcomes for children and young people!

About the service

Things are changing in Wandsworth and rapidly. 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 role

As a Special Guardianship Team Manager, you will be managing social workers in the Special Guardianship and Post Permanency Team to ensure safe and resilient placements for Children Looked After. You will lead a social work team that undertakes SGO Assessments in line with the PLO and provides support to family’s subject to Special Guardianship Order (SGO) who may be in crisis and will need to develop a working relationship based on collaborative methods of working. 

You will work closely with managers and teams across the service, you will be crucial in improving further our ability to sustain permanent placements for children and drive improvement in permanence care planning for children we care for. In addition to the supervision of the team you will also manage the Private Fostering Social Worker and drive the development of the private fostering function within the local authority and amongst partners. get involved in chairing and recording meetings including foster carer reviews, placement support and strategy meetings when appropriate.

To be shortlisted for the position your CV and personal statement will demonstrate the following:

• Experience and knowledge of the needs of Special Guardianship and Post Permanency Support are essential, as is a social work qualification.
• The ability to use data to drive improvements positively within the team.
• Able to demonstrate the child at the centre of your thinking and be able to work closely and reflectively with colleagues and other partners to ensure excellent outcomes for children.
• Have strong leadership skills and be a good team player to work closely and creatively with the management team to ensure improvements in service delivery across the service.

What you'll get in return

“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.”

Paul Angeli, Assistant Director for 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 12th July 2020
• Shortlisting Date: Monday 13th July 2020
• Interview Date: Monday 20th July 2020

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 Steve Pearson by email steve.pearson@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils