Team Manager, Children with Disabilities
A brilliant opportunity has arisen within the Children with Disabilities (CWD) Service for a bright, enthusiastic, Practice Manager or existing Team Manager to manage one of the CWD Social Work Teams based at Station Road. This role would suit a current Manager who is looking to progress in their development within Redbridge and may want to consider this exciting, crucial role.
We are looking for someone who will influence good practice as well as expand their skills in management whilst taking on a leadership role within the Service. Reporting to the Head of Service, you will be offered excellent support and development opportunities. The Children with Disabilities Service is committed to ensuring staff have manageable caseloads and that we maintain an ‘Outstanding’ service. As a Team Manager you will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the Service has well-developed structures and systems in place to support this.
Additional information about the role:
We have a strong permanent team, giving stability, direction and energy to the organisation. Redbridge Children with Disabilities Service is a great place for social care practitioners to thrive. Fundamental to fulfilling the responsibilities of this post is the ability to respond flexibly, positively and successfully to the ever-changing pressures that the Local Authority may face. Support can be provided with gaining knowledge of the SEND and commissioning aspects of the role.
As the Head of Service I am invested in the development of my management team and work with each individual manager to tailor their development needs and ensure that relevant opportunities are given to maximise their management potential.
You will deliver excellence in all aspects of social work and safeguarding. Your expertise, passion and creativity will ensure that each individual child and young person experiences services which enable them to develop and achieve their dreams and aspirations. Your work will demonstrate a commitment to a joined-up approach with our partner agencies and, most importantly, with children, young people, families and carers.
You will need to be able to lead, motivate and support a busy, enthusiastic, committed team in a challenging environment and promote a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
The Team Manager is expected to have a detailed understanding of the Children Act 1989/2004, Care Act 2014 and other relevant legislation policies, procedures and thresholds. They need to have experience of working with complex cases where children are subject to Children and Family Assessments, Child in Need, Transition and Child Protection plans. In addition to this, they require a full understanding of Legal Planning Meetings (LPM’s) Public Law Outline (PLO) processes and working knowledge of cases in proceedings and those that are subject to Section 7,37 and Supervision Orders.
Further to this, the CWD Team Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Children Looked After with disabilities including overseeing Court work, SEND tribunals (in the High Court) and permanency planning arrangements for children in care with disabilities, as well as providing oversight on transitional arrangements. You will need to be SW England registered and have a recognised social work qualification. It would be preferable for you to have obtained your PEPS as we are a ‘Student Academy’.
The full job description and person specification can be viewed by clicking on the apply now link.
Redbridge is among the fastest growing parts of the country and the third most diverse London borough. Our communities are attracted by a mixture of excellent schools, relatively affordable housing compared to other parts of London, high quality open spaces and rapid transport connections into the heart of the City.
We are so proud of our Children and Families’ service. Rated as Outstanding by OFSTED, we offer a whole family approach to the care of children in Redbridge.
We are one of only a few authorities who have achieved this top score under the new inspection framework. Highlights from the report included praises for:
Exceptional leadership
Promotion of best practice and innovation
Highly effective practice
Happy and supported staff
Meeting emerging problems such as gangs, county lines and exploitation
Thoughtful social workers
We can provide such strong services because of our highly qualified and motivated staff who put children and young people at the heart of everything we do. We offer a range of roles in our services for social workers, family support workers and others at all levels, supported by experienced managers and a variety of learning and development opportunities.
We also continually develop our services to respond to emerging best practice so that we can continue to offer outstanding services to the children and young people in our borough.
Training, development, and support is provided for all our staff from specific programmes for newly qualified social workers through to continuous professional development for more experienced staff.
Children Services are implementing Trauma Informed Practice to equip practitioners to better support the mental health and wellbeing of our children, young people and families.
We want to offer support to frontline staff as we understand working with children, young people and families in the context of abuse, neglect and other adversities place high emotional demands on practitioners.
We offer a range of classroom based and online learning as well as opportunities for reflective practice and learning. We also have opportunities for apprenticeships and a dedicated progression programme for social workers and occupational therapists. The Career Progression Framework is closely linked to the Social Work Professional Capabilities Framework and introduces clear levels of performance and achievement in social work that are directly linked to levels of pay. This can be used to help identify strengths and areas for development.
In addition we also offer great benefits at Redbridge:
Local government pension scheme
28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
Cycle to work scheme
Discounted Car Parking
Employee discount scheme
Flexible working options including job sharing, compressed hours and term-time working
Employee volunteering scheme
Employee assistance programme
Excellent learning & development opportunities
Performance management and career progression support
Confidential Employee Support helpline
Electric car and bike pool scheme
If you would like an informal discussion about working in children’s social care at Redbridge please contact Judy Daniels, our Principal Child and Family Social Worker at Judy.Daniels@redbridge.gov.uk