We're serious about social work at Essex County Council. It's demanding, it's complex, but it's also hugely fulfilling. Here you'll have time to be the Service Manager you always wanted to be, achieving change for our most vulnerable children and families through direct relationship-based social work practice. You'll work collaboratively with other agencies and partners to ensure that we provide the right response at the right time to every child and family receiving services.

We are looking to build on the well-earned achievements of our teams, and the families they work with. In this role, you will harness that momentum and lead our teams as we seek to deliver better outcomes for our community. This is an opportunity to shape the direction of children's social work in Essex. You'll have an immediate impact on the way our teams think and communicate - but you'll also have a lasting impact on future generations of Essex residents. From the small details, to the big picture, you will be a guiding force for staff and families alike.

You'll lead the Assessment and Intervention and Children and Young People with Disabilities services across the West of the county, covering the diverse areas of Harlow, Epping Forest, Brentwood and Uttlesford Districts. These services undertake critical work for children's social care including the safe management of thresholds and safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.

There are three Assessment and Intervention teams, which receive all initial contacts and referrals of children where there is a concern about their welfare and needs which may require statutory services. The teams undertake assessments and interventions generally up to 3 months, wherever possible leading to resolution or transfers to alternative support services. Where this isn't possible the teams transfer to longer term services within West quadrant. There is one Children and Young people with Disabilities service, working with children and young people up to the age of 25 across the full range of support and intervention required including children and young people in and leaving care. The services are all committed to high quality work and engagement with all children and families, using relationship based practice to maximise the possibility of problems being successfully resolved, positive change occurring and families being sufficiently supported to enable children and young people to be safe and to reach their potential. All the teams believe strongly in working collaboratively with agencies including Health and Education to ensure that plans and interventions support good outcomes for the children and families we work with.

What you will need to join us

• A recognised social work qualification (i.e. Diploma, degree or Master's in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent) with current registration Social Work England.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners and stakeholders, demonstrating breadth of thinking across social care, partners, the wider council and the system as a whole.
• Significant experience within a social care setting, with a deep understanding of current social care issues and implications for delivery at local level.
• Strong leadership and behavioural skills with the ability to focus on results forging a highly performing and motivated team from diverse backgrounds to achieve objectives.
• Experience of successful delivery within a rapidly changing and ambiguous environment while managing conflicting priorities.
• Proven influencing skills with an ability to pro-actively lead and deliver cultural change to improve quality of service.

Closing date: 17th June 2020.

Planned interview date: 26th June 2020

As part of employment with Essex County Council should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.

Please note ECC regularly reviews its reward and benefits

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please contact the Resourcing Team on 03330135888.