The Role

Do you see yourself as a leader of inclusive, relationship-based social work practice?

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for children?

Would you like to join a team committed to innovation and transformation of the way we work with children and families?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Families and Communities Service is looking to recruit two permanent Team Managers to join our amazing team and help play a central role in achieving positive outcomes for children in Wandsworth!

Our vision

Here in Wandsworth we are on an exciting journey of transformation. We have developed our Practice Model and are preparing for the implementation of the Family Safeguarding Approach. Family Safeguarding is a way of keeping families together where it is safe to do so. It was developed and promoted by Hertfordshire and is funded by the Department for Education. Wandsworth will be the first Local Authority in London to implement this new way of working.

Motivational Interviewing is a key component of the approach and all staff will undergo training with the aim of working collaboratively with families, empowering and engaging parents to make positive changes for their children and themselves. Outcomes for children in Hertfordshire since 2015 have shown consistent improvement, with significant reduction in child protection plans, care proceedings and domestic abuse incidents.

We are investing massively in all our staff, our leaders as well as partners to enable us to make our engagement with families and communities in Wandsworth a success. We passionately believe that if we invest in new ways of thinking and working, you'll have everything you need to do the job you trained for. We have incredibly sound, solid and strong leadership in Ana Popovici and Paul Angeli, who have an exciting vision to transform our approaches to the most vulnerable in society.

About the service

The Families and Communities Service has undergone a recent restructure. We now have 12 Child in Need teams (two dedicated to vulnerable adolescents) working in three clusters, covering different parts of the borough. These clusters mirror our Early Help clusters to aid continuity for families, a holistic approach, and seamless transitions between different parts of our service. Families and Communities also includes a specialist team for children with disabilities, and a Case and Court Progression Manager to oversee the Court and PLO work in the service.

We now have two Team Manager vacancies with the creation of our additional Child in Need teams. You will be working collaboratively with your colleagues across the department and with partners, to deliver high-quality and responsive social work to some of the most vulnerable children and families in Wandsworth. We value each staff member in the service and want each and every one to be a leader and champion of exemplary practice, able to work with families to make changes through child in need and child protection plans, care proceedings, and to achieve early permanence for children when they cannot remain at home.

About you

As a Team Manager in the Families and Communities Service, you will be responsible for the progression of plans for some of the most vulnerable children in the borough. We will need you to ensure that decisions are made in a timely and effective manner, and that your team works in collaboration and partnership with families and other agencies. You will be key in implementing Wandsworth’s Family Safeguarding Model, promoting relationship based social work and interventions, purposeful assessments, reflective supervision and responding to the needs of the community.

You will be accountable for the performance of your team and we have high expectations, but you will have support where you need it. You will be responsible for running regular group supervision and you can draw on the expertise of our social work academy who can help you in supporting your social workers. A creative problem-solver, your can-do approach and commitment to quality will inspire your team to achieve excellence.  

Our team managers:

• Manage a small team of five social workers
• Have the assistance of business support colleagues
• Have access to an excellent training offer for Team Managers and Social workers including Masters Level Leadership and Management training, Systemic Leadership Training, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Practice and various other reflective spaces to promote best practice.
• Earn up to £51k plus a £2,000 welcome payment & retention bonus of £3,000 every two years (payment is pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Receive a comprehensive and competitive pay and benefits package

Benefits

In return, we can offer you working arrangements that will enhance your work-life balance and a generous holiday allowance of 31 days plus bank holidays.  

In addition, we offer a range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, HMRC childcare scheme, 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.

Wandsworth is a vibrant borough with great transport links. There are excellent shops, local leisure facilities and each area of the borough has its own unique range of amenities.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

• Closing Date:  11:59pm on Sunday 27^th September 2020
• Shortlisting Date: Week commencing 28^th September 2020
• Interview Dates: Week commencing 5^th October 2020

Useful Information:

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 pleased to be 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).

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

How to apply?

To be considered for interview your CV and supporting statement (no longer than 1 side of a4) must highlight your knowledge, skills and experience listed in the Job Profile located at the bottom of the advert.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Elizabeth Souter by email elizabeth.souter@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

•  Team Manager - Job Profile