Team Manager - SISP (Job Share)

• To ensure the SISP Team delivers high-quality services for children at risk of harm, children in need and children in care, in accordance with legal requirements, government initiatives and the council’s policies and procedures.
• Manages a range of assessments, Family Group Conferences, LAC prevention and rehabilitation services provided by the SISP Team for all children referred to the service and who are in need, at risk of significant harm, edge of care and/or have a plan of reunification with their family.
• To work with a range of professionals, the legal team, and others to ensure high quality and evidence-based court assessments.
• To assist and support the Head of Service in managing the delivery of excellent childcare practice through the effective management and supervision of a multi-disciplinary professional team.

You will be responsible for a team that includes advanced Social Workers, Parenting Practitioners, clinical professionals working within the team, support staff and FGC sessional coordinators.

Corporate Accountabilities

• To work effectively across service areas as part of the Council’s Services management team delivering Corporate objectives through the work of the department.
• To act, at all times, in line with the professional standards of conduct and performance as defined by the L.B. Hounslow Code of Conduct and Social Work England.
• Promote a positive image of Hounslow when representing the Local Authority at external events and working with key external stakeholders, recognising the particular political sensitivity of child protection services.
• Support the Lead Member in their casework auditing role and brief Members and Officers on any impact on the Local Authority of changes to legislation and any associated service risks.
• To support change, ensuring efficient systems for communication, equality impact assessment, performance development, monitoring and review are implemented.
• Raise performance by making sure there is a culture of continuous improvement and efficient use of resources.
• Oppose and where possible eradicate all forms of discrimination, making a positive contribution to managing diversity as an employer and as a service provider.
• Ensure all members of the SISP Team understand and comply with Data Protection and Information Governance requirements at all time.
• To participate in the Council’s emergency planning and responses to emergency situations when required to do so.

Functional Accountabilities

• Ensure that strategies, policies and procedures are devised and implemented to promote practice within the SISP to the highest standard so that children are protected, and their needs are met in line with statutory requirements.
• Monitor and improve service delivery through effective quality assurance processes to ensure the Local Authority is meeting its statutory requirements to children, is achieving positive outcomes for children and promoting staff development.
• Work effectively with key partner agencies as set out below to ensure that the Local Authority through the SISP Team is meeting statutory requirements relating to children at risk of harm, children in need and Looked After children.
• Operate an effective allocations system to ensure work is allocated and referrals are progressed within the required timescales at all times.
• Ensure the SISP Team and all processes operate in a state of readiness for any unannounced OFSTED inspection and that the quality of Service is always of a sufficient standard to ensure a positive outcome to any such inspection.
• Monitor and manage the performance of the SISP Team against agreed targets set in line with Departmental and National Performance Indicators.
• Assess the impact and quality of services through an embedded service user feedback process with a view to providing a dynamic and responsive service to children and their families.
• Ensure all complaints are dealt with within the legislative timescales and work proactively to prevent any escalation beyond Stage One of the Complaints Procedure.
• Carry out Disciplinary and Capability investigations across the Service in line with the prescribed policies, writing reports making recommendations and presenting to a Disciplinary Hearing as required.
• Recruit, retain, appraise, and develop appropriately trained and skilled professional staff for a safe and effective SISP service in line with L.B. Hounslow policies and procedures.
• Develop expertise within the SISP Team and self on all areas of work relating to the function of the Team, e.g. undertaking court assessments, LAC prevention and reunification work and to act as a resource for the Local Authority.
• Approve expenditure within the agreed scheme of delegation ensuring that at all times the SISP Team operate under sound financial processes, policies and standing orders are adhered to value for money is achieved so that Local Authority expenditure and commitments are minimised.
• Ensure all professional staff within the SISP Team receive regular, reflective clinical supervision to ensure assessments, interventions and planned works are progressing in line with agreed expectations and staff are fully supported so that risks to children, staff and the Local Authority are minimised.
• Prepare reports as requested to demonstrate the quality, quantity and effectiveness of the services provided by the SISP Team to assist SLT/ DLT.
• Ensure that Legal Services receive clear instruction and information from the SISP Team in respect of any Care Proceedings and/or other court work the Team is party to.