The role of Service Manager for the Looked After Children and Leaving Care Service is pivotal to providing a high standard of care and support to Westminster’s looked after children and care leavers, consistent with the aspirations of the corporate parenting strategy.
The Service Manager will maintain a diverse and skilled work force of both social workers and personal advisers leading relational practice which is person centred, thoughtful, responsive, creative and systemically informed.
The Service Manager will supervise 5 deputy service managers a senior business support officer and work collaboratively across the service with other managers to provide a multi-disciplinary service.
The Service Manager provides leadership for this service and will work to ensure the service is effective and of the highest quality. The Service Manager will manage all aspects of the team's work, and hold responsibility for the quality of this work, ensuring performance indicators are met and taking budgetary responsibility.
Service Manager works with several professionals to ensure that the links between children and care leavers is well transitioned. This will include Adult services, Mental Health Teams, Clinicians, Education, the Virtual School and other external agencies and services.
Essential:
• The analytical and strategic skills to understand the requirements of legislation and guidance and translate these into a new service suited to local circumstances
• Ability to set targets and monitor their achievement
• Ability to manage a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to manage and implement change for team member
• Ability to establish, monitor and control operational budgets
• Ability to develop and motivate individuals and lead the team
• Ability to establish systems of quality assurance
• Ability to communicate articulately and confidently with a range of people – both in writing and orally
• Possession of analytical skills and numeracy skills
• Ability to develop and utilise an appropriate Information System
• Flexibility to work outside normal office hours and attend occasional evening meetings if required
• Commitment to implement the Council’s equal opportunities policy
Desirable:
• Ability to apply systemic ideas to practice and supervision
• Ability to commission services from outside agencies
Qualifications
CQSW or post-graduate Diploma in Social Work or equivalent professional qualification is required.
Systemic practice (and/or systemic supervision) qualification desirable.
Interested in working for us? Hear below from our staff on why we think Westminster is a great place to be a social worker.
Westminster is dynamic, multicultural and unique - much like you, our potential employees.
This is an opportunity to work within a family services that has been Ofsted rated as OUTSTANDING since 2016 and with stable inspiring leadership also rated by Ofsted as OUTSTANDING. Caseloads are manageable and you will have the opportunity to genuinely make a difference to families. We are committed to creating opportunities for our staff to thrive.
We believe that everyone has talent. We will coach and mentor our people, taking the time to nurture our own. Staff have several opportunities for career progression within the organisation through secondment and permanent appointments to managerial, clinical and other specialist roles.
We have a culture where our people embrace feedback and are constantly learning. We are continuously striving to set high standards and finding innovative ways to provide a better service to our residents. Our offer to you includes:
Systemic Social Work Practice for Children and Families (Year 1 and 2)
Signs of Safety
Rich training offer through the West London Alliance (various core and additional training)
Supportive, inspiring and reliable leadership
Manageable caseloads and a strong Early Help offer to provide a wide range of resources
Support from our highly skilled clinical team
Competitive remuneration packages
Genuine remote and flexible working options – we know how important this is to you
Smarter Working with new modern technology
Wellbeing service, leisure, and discount benefits (Council scheme)
Travel season ticket loan, cycle scheme, Local Authority pension
Visit our website for more information and detail about working in family services in Westminster.
To arrange an informal discussion with one of our managers, please contact Myriam Ridgway, Senior Business Support at mridgway@westminster.gov.uk