The central purpose of the service is to drive continuous improvement to provide a range of services in line with statutory requirements and best practice expectations that will ensure that the most vulnerable children in our community receive the support that enables them to stay safe and to fulfil their potential.
The Service Manager: Child Protection and Child in Need (CP&CIN) will deputise for the Head of Child Protection and Vulnerable Children on occasions and at key strategic meetings
Their central responsibility is to lead and manage a group of frontline operational teams that meet the needs of vulnerable children and their families ensuring that children are safeguarded in line with legislative requirements, in line with legislative requirements e.g. ‘Children Act 1989’, ‘Children Act 2004’, ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018’, Public Law Outline (2014). Formulating service plans to ensure maximum efficiency whilst maintaining quality of service response.
The Service Manager is responsible for the maintenance of quality and performance as measured through key national performance indicators. They will also attend one or more of the sub-groups of the Enfield Safeguarding Children Board and will represent the service at other key multi-agency meetings.
They are also required to support the Head of Child Protection and Vulnerable Children in developing policies and strategies for children who are at risk of accommodation, supporting children to live safely within their families and communities, wherever possible
As a senior leader within the Council the Head of Service will also:
Communicate agreed direction and purpose for staff in the service in a way that engages and motivates people
Lead their service area to deliver high performance
Lead the budget planning process for their service
Lead the effective planning, commissioning and delivery of services
Set and communicate clear service standards
Contribute to the development and implementation of strategic goals for the service which link to the Council priorities and support the achievement of the long-term ambition for the Council and is residents
Identify and recommend evidence based areas for service development and improvement.
Build effective relationships with relevant partners and elected members
Key Accountabilities: |
Role Specific Accountabilities |
1. Accountable for the direction and operational delivery of the Child Protection and Child in Need Service. Responsible for managing, supervising, decision-making and giving case direction to Team Managers and Social Workers – performance is measured against the key national indicators. |
2. Meetings with other agencies e.g. Hospitals, Police etc. in order to maintain good communication and positive working relationships in working with vulnerable children/child protection. This includes multi-agency safeguarding partnership meetings. |
3. Driving quality assurance processes, regularly auditing and tracking service improvement through audits and performance monitoring systems. |
4. Monitor performance with rigour and act with pace on any areas of concern. |
5. Deliver dynamic effective social work, recruiting and retaining high calibre staff. Embedding cultural change across all service areas. |
6. Chairing Managers meetings, Team meetings and representing the service and wider council in various multi-agency settings. |
7. Lead on key projects and investigations as required and when directed. This includes the development of processes and procedures that affect this area of service. |
8. Ensure that people processes and resources are in place to deliver effectively. |
9. Financial processes inc. authorisations and financial monitoring. |
10. Ensure budgets for services and/or programmes are managed to time and cost with an eye to both efficiency and effectiveness. |
11. Provide out of hours’ management support as part of a rota. |
12. Identify and develop talent within their service. |
13. Any other duties reasonably requested by management. |
14. Carry out all accountabilities in compliance with the Council’s Policies and Procedures. |
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES | HOW TESTED Application – A Test – T Interview – I |
Job Specifics – Skills, Experience, Knowledge, Behaviours Essential: 1. Proven experience to lead, engage, motivate, appraise and develop staff to deliver high standards of service and performance 2. Successfully led teams to respond positively to change 3. Experience of effective budget management and deliver services plans on time and on budget 4. A good understanding of the political structure and role of elected members 5. As a regular and intrinsic part of this role requires you to speak to members of the public in English, the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential and consistent with the requirements of this role. This role also requires you to be polite and courteous when conversing with the public. 6. Recognised SW qualification and SWE registered 7. Extensive experience of managing operational services to vulnerable children 8. Experience of strategic leadership across partnerships 9. Expert knowledge of legislation and statutory requirements in relation to all vulnerable children 10. Ability to drive through service improvements and performance management 11. Positive, committed, adaptable, robust and confident approach 12. Sound judgement in devising and evaluating options and dealing with complex issues Desirable:
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A/I |
Behaviours Appropriate behaviours are key to the delivery of our vision for Enfield. We want staff who will work collaboratively, flexibly and constructively, and exhibit this ethos in all their dealings with residents, colleagues and partners. Our leaders will be exemplars of the following behaviours and encourage them in staff at all levels; Takes Responsibility We want staff who are willing to make decisions and be accountable for them. Staff should have a positive can-do attitude where they see problems as challenges which can be overcome. They should accept responsibility for service delivery, be clear about their service offer and deliver what they promise. Is Open, Honest and Respectful We want staff who are comfortable and confident to acknowledge the difficulties and the barriers they face. They should also be able to constructively challenge the way things are done where there is evidence that it impedes service delivery. Challenge should be conducted in a professional, courteous manner with the aim of reaching a mutually agreeable resolution. Actively Listening and Learning We want staff who are prepared to actively listen and reflect on customer concerns with a view to understanding the customer’s point of view. Staff should be able to receive constructive criticism and be prepared to adapt the way they operate and deliver services where appropriate. Working Together to find solutions We want staff who can work collaboratively with other departments and partners, freely sharing their knowledge and skills to identify solutions to address customer concerns. Candidates: Please ensure you address these behaviours in your responses to the essential and desirable (if applicable) criteria above.
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Competencies: Candidates: Please ensure you address these competencies in your responses to the essential and desirable (if applicable criteria above). 1. Customer focus 2. Deliver service performance 3. Focus on continuous improvement 4. Political awareness and context |
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Qualifications & Professional registration criteria Candidates: Please ensure you address these qualifications in your responses to the essential criteria, you will be expected to meet these requirements of the role and they will be explored with you at interview. Social work qualification |
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Special requirements Candidates: Please note you will be expected to meet these requirements of the role and they will be explored with you at interview.
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Enfield is one of the most diverse parts of London, with all the benefits this brings across our communities, culture, heritage and local economy. It also has incredibly diverse landscapes – from the urban centres of Edmonton, Southgate, Palmers Green and Enfield Town, to rural areas and farmland in the north of the borough.
Based in the bubbling heart of Enfield Town, situated in a modern newly designed service hub, the new office is an environment which supports our smart working policy surrounded by small businesses, bars, restaurants, a buzzing high street and shopping centre. Our brand new high-tech multiagency office has good transport links into central London and is easily assessable to the M25, A10 and A406.
We are proud of the services we offer to children and families living in the borough and work with partners to ensure children receive the best start in life. We are passionate about improving outcomes and driving up standards and performance. Ofsted has rated our children’s services as GOOD overall, read the full report here
Our offer to you include:
A rewarding role in an Ofsted rated GOOD children’s services department
Up to 32 days annual leave depending on grade and length of service. You will also get eight public holidays per year and an extra day off at Christmas.
A blend of remote and office based working
Health and leisure discounts and tax-free bikes for work.
Modern purposefully designed working environment in Thomas Hardy House located 5 minutes from the station
A clear career progression pathway, supported by a comprehensive training programme
Smart technology assistance including hybrid video conferencing
Employee Assistance Programme to provide advice and counselling services. This is a free and confidential service available to staff and members of their family.
Enthusiastic and proactive staff network groups
1 month paid sabbatical for children’s social workers