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Safeguarding Children's Manager (Service Manager) – Independent Reviewing Service

Employer
London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Location
London (Greater)
Salary
£58,810 - £72,211 per annum
Closing date
19 Jul 2020

The Role

Can you inspire, encourage and develop an amazing IRO team to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people who are looked after?

Can you work together with children and young people to co-produce and shape new developments in the IRO service?

Do you have a strong commitment to high standards of practice and performance?

If so then we would positively encourage you to apply!

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 IRO service is part of Children’s Planning and Review. The aim of the service is to provide quality assurance to the plans and arrangements for children who are looked after to ensure outcomes are improved and help the child achieve their full potential. This quality assurance function includes monitoring the performance by the local authority of their functions in relation to a child’s care.

As the Service Manager you would be responsible for the operational management and leadership of the IROs but also have strategic responsibilities across Children’s Social Care.  A key priority for the service is to ensure that all children who are looked after and cannot successfully return to their family, have a secure, permanent home in which to grow up in.  

About the role

This is a role where you will have a key strategic leadership and operational delivery of the quality assurance service for children looked after. You will have strong relationships that provide a quality assurance challenge on behalf of children looked after to operational colleagues and the wider partnership.

You will lead practice in your area developing and embedding innovation in the service alongside colleagues from the Virtual School, the Participation service and health leads. You will also be supporting the development and embedding of the child led review.

You will have responsibility for the statutory function of the IRO service and specifically the requirements of you as the IRO manager. Reporting to the Head of Service for Quality Assurance and Learning, you will have a key role in reporting into the Corporate Parenting Panel and the Safeguarding Partnership.

The successful candidate will also ensure effective performance management of the service to ensure improved outcomes for children and young people.

You will need:

  • A social worker degree and be registered with Social Work England (formerly HCPC)
  • Experience of working with partnerships to improve service delivery
  • An ability to manage budgets
  • A proven track record of leading and motivating staff
  • Management experience working in a Children’s Social Care setting
  • A good understanding of the legislative framework, statutory guidance and initiatives applicable to children who are looked after.
  • Experience of audit, writing reports to a high quality, performance data, formulating strategies, policies, objectives and targets.

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 19th July 2020
  • Interview Date: Week commencing 27th 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 Ruth Lacey by email ruth.lacey@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

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