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.

Your new role

We are now recruiting to some key vacancies across our Child Looked After Service and need outstanding managers with proven leadership skills to take this journey with us.

As a LAC Team manager, you will ensure that all children remain safe and have improved outcomes as a result of the provision of high quality social work. You will have a major contribution to make to the delivery of our vision and strategic priorities, by managing the delivery and performance of high quality social work provision to children and their families across the LAC Team.

What you'll need to succeed

We are looking for leaders with passion and strong commitment to support and development of their staff as well as keeping looked after children at the heart of their decision making:

• Experience of managing a team/service with a complex caseload, developing effective work allocation and case work prioritisation systems; deploying resources flexibly to respond to service pressures
• Experience of effective performance management (people and organisational); identifying development needs; addressing skills and knowledge gaps; disseminating good practice; and managing poor performance
• Advanced experienced of applying in practice, the principles of child care legislation relating to child protection, looked after children and the provision of services to children in need
• Systematic working knowledge and understanding of Children Act 1989 and 2004; including awareness of current national policy drivers, legislation, affecting children’s social care
• Up to date knowledge of current legislation, eg Working Together 2015, Health and Social Care Act 2012, Munroe and new evidenced-based research.
• Highly developed knowledge of theory and practice of assessment, planning and intervention; substantial knowledge of relevant legislation and its application; acquired through professional qualification in social work plus considerable experience in relevant field
• In depth knowledge and understanding of the needs of children and young people; the ability to work with children and their parents/carers and to involve them in decision making

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

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role please contact Katarzyna Prosniak at Hays Social Care for more information. Her number is 020 7259 8715 or email Katarzyna.Prosniak@hays.com