Service Lead (Systemic and Workforce) - Children's Service

Description:

Service Lead (Systemic and Workforce) - Children's Service

£66,318 - £80,874 per annum

Ofsted Rating: 'Good'

Section: Children's Social Care
Directorate: Wandsworth Children's Services
Responsible to: Assistant Director (Practice Standards and Principal Social Worker)

Responsible for:

4 Family and Systemic Psychotherapists
1 Social Care Academy Team Manager
1 Wandsworth LINKs Team Manager

Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and driven Service Lead for our Children's Social Work Services and Workforce. This leadership role, specific to Wandsworth Children's Services, operates under the Richmond/Wandsworth Shared Staffing Arrangement. The ideal candidate will be responsive to the needs and expectations of Wandsworth Council, demonstrating a high level of drive, stamina, and political sensitivity. This role requires fostering effective teamwork, setting standards for continuous improvement, and thriving in a complex environment.

Job Purpose: As the Service Lead, you will spearhead the integration of systemic ideas and practices into all aspects of service delivery within children's social care. You will have strategic and operational responsibility for the Social Care Academy and workforce development, alongside leading the Wandsworth LINKs service, which includes innovative group work for families, Family Group Conferences (FGCs), and Lifelong LINKs.

Your mission is to enhance practice with children and families, prevent the need for children to enter care, support their safe return home, and develop the workforce's skills to ensure best practices. You will work directly with children, families, and their networks, maintaining high practice standards and improving practice quality through evidence-based methodologies.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the service with a clear vision, ensuring high standards and outcomes.
Develop and embed systemic practices across Children's Social Care.
Oversee workforce training and development for Children's Services, collaborating with the Wandsworth Safeguarding Children's Partnership.
Provide reflective professional supervision and appraisal to direct reports.
Enhance the Systemic Social Work practice approach in Wandsworth.
Collaborate with the Quality Assurance Service Lead to link quality assurance and practice improvement.
Rigorously evaluate services for quality and outcomes, fostering a learning culture.
Coordinate workforce development activities, including recruitment and retention.
Lead responsibilities for FGCs and Lifelong Links.
Manage the delivery of parenting group work, including support for those affected by domestic abuse.
Ensure key relationships and processes improve outcomes for children and families.
Recruit, support, develop, and retain skilled staff.
Foster partnerships across the directorate.
Meet national and local performance and quality indicators.
Ensure services are cost-effective, evidence-based, and within budget.

Generic Duties and Responsibilities:

Contribute to the continuous improvement of services in Wandsworth and Richmond.
Comply with Codes of Practice, including data protection and health and safety policies.
Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and legal compliance of information and systems.
Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion, creating a supportive and respectful environment.
Understand and fulfil the council's safeguarding duties for children, young people, and adults.

To be successful you will need:

Social work qualification and UKCP recognised qualification in family and systemic psychotherapy
registration with Social Work England.
Post graduate qualification as a Systemic Supervisor
To have kept up to date with research and best practice, evidenced through substantial professional development.
Clean DBS

This profile outlines the core responsibilities and is not exhaustive. Additional duties commensurate with the role, including emergency support, may be required.

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families and have the skills and experience required, we encourage you to apply.

For more info on this or any role in London simply upload your CV here or contact Callum Parr at Ackerman pierce on (phone number removed) or

Closing Date: 11:59pm on Friday 24th May 2024
Shortlisting Date: Tuesday 28th May 2024
Interview Date: Wednesday 12th June 2024