Job Description

Description

Our Local Government client, Lambeth, London, is recruiting a Children's Services Team Manager to manage the day-to-day operations of the team and a team of social workers responsible for safeguarding and promoting the best interests of children in accordance with the statutory framework. To ensure that services are delivered in accordance with the Government policy, keeping up to date with new proposals and initiatives, legislation, policies, and departmental procedures and that these are customer-focused and of the highest possible quality. To provide leadership to frontline staff in delivering and implementing any future changes in policies, procedures, or other developments, and to support the service senior managers by advising on strategy, policy and future direction of the service, ensuring effective feedback and translation into service delivery.

Key Responsibility

To have led responsibility for meeting the performance targets of the team and to report these to managers and staff as required. To manage budgets and expenditure to ensure that resources are optimised in line with eligibility criteria and priority levels as prescribed in assessment and care management policies and procedures, financial regulations, and ensure value for money. To provide leadership, ensuring effective working relationships with other parts of Children's Services, the Departments (Education, Housing and Adult Social Care), external agencies (Health, police, etc.) and the third sector. minimum 3 days in the office.

Qualification Essential

• GCSE Grade (or equivalent) in English Language and Mathematics.
• Diploma in Social Work or equivalent.
• Advanced Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, Social Media and CRM.

Please note: Only candidates who fully meet these strict requirements will be considered.

• Thorough knowledge of proposed and actual legislation, statutory regulations and Government guidance and standards relevant to children in need.
• Up-to-date professional and technical expertise in relation to children in need.
• Significant post-qualifying experience working in a social care setting with children in need.
• Experience in managing or supervising in children's social services.
• Experience of working collaboratively with other services, e.g. Health and service users, to deliver a responsive and coordinated service.
• Ability to engage the coach and motivate teams, and set their targets and expectations.
• Experience in successfully managing performance and providing clear constructive feedback.
• Experience in successfully implementing plans and projects on time and within budget.
• Ability to effectively plan and manage budgets and resources.
• Demonstrate a good Understanding of the political structure and role of elected members, and the ability to work collaboratively both within their own service and across other services.
• Recent experience must include significant exposure to child protection work and to Direct Line management of case-holding practitioners.
• Extensive knowledge of legislation, guidance, and procedures regarding vulnerable children and young people.
• Ability to effectively utilise the case management system and to use applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Sound judgement in evaluating options and making decisions in the context of social work practice, including providing case direction to staff.
• A positive commitment to finance and an adaptable approach to practice leadership.

Essential Compliance Requirements

• 5 Years References/Work History
• Enhanced DBS
• Willing to engage in the mandatory pre-screening application process.

Diamond Blaque Group, a leading public-sector provider, is acting as the employment agency for this vacancy. Our organisation is deeply committed to fostering an environment of equal opportunity and diversity in the workplace.