Deputy Service Manager - Req24080

Are you resilient and empathetic leader, with the ability to inspire positive development in staff practice. Do you have a good understanding of child and adolescent development, a restorative approach and relevant experience in working with vulnerable young people’s behaviour, some who can be hard to engage? If the answer’s yes, the role of Deputy Service Manager (Care) at Adel Beck Secure Children’s Home could be right for you.
At Adel Beck we care for 24 young people aged 10 to 18. They are referred to us following court proceedings, placed on remand or sentenced to a period of detention, or because they need to be placed in secure accommodation for their own safety or the safety of others. You will be responsible for the oversight and management of three 8 bedded secure children’s homes, leading a team of Team managers and care practitioners who have a vital role in the daily lives and long-term outlook for the vulnerable young people at Adel Beck, who may have complex needs and display challenging behaviours.
Our goal is to inspire change in attitudes, behaviours, learning and emotions. We want to enable every young person to grow up and make a positive contribution as part of their family and wider community, safe from risk-taking behaviour, exploitation and offending.
We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence. 
The role

As the Deputy Service Manager (Care), you will be the lead senior manager for the operational oversight and management of the three secure homes and their managers and staff teams at Adel Beck. You will play a key role in developing the operational and strategic direction of Adel Beck by working in partnership with our health and education services in the delivery of high quality services that meets the needs of those young people in our care,  using a restorative and solution focussed approach to support them in their personal growth and learning.
You will:

• provide high quality leadership, supervision and support to the care managers and care teams.
• work alongside other senior managers within the home, council and on a national basis to deliver high-quality care in a safe, secure environment.
• manage staff following policy and procedure, and support with recruitment and staff development lead on the development and oversight of Adel Becks Workforce Development strategy by supporting the workforce development lead in implementing the delivery plan.
• manage behaviour in a proactive, solution-focused manner and develop long-term strategies
• provide management oversight to ensure that primary care is responsive to individual needs, including health care, learning support and personal development.
• coordinate activities to enhance middle and senior leaders (care) in eh delivery of quality childcare services.

About you

We are looking for experienced, enthusiastic, adaptable candidates with the personal qualities to connect with and inspire a committed staff team who work with vulnerable children and young people. You must have:

• the confidence to lead your management team and liaise with other professionals and all stakeholders on a local and national basis.
• excellent communication and listening skills with staff and managers at all levels.
• self-awareness to understand your potential impact on others, with ability to reflect on your own practice.
• confident to provide high support and high challenge in your leadership style.
• have a bigger picture overview in terms of how to develop the service.

We expect the following experience and qualifications:

• knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and child protection and safeguarding principles
• experience working in a residential childcare environment and of supporting staff and other professional practitioners as well as children or young people with complex and challenging behaviour
• experience supervising and developing staff and managing their development and training
  experience of service planning and strategic or operational development.
• excellent verbal and written English, numeracy and basic computer literacy
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management (or equivalent) or a commitment to achieving the qualification within 18 months of appointment (we pay the course fees)
• understanding of child and adolescent development
• understanding of restorative and trauma-informed practice

What we offer you
You’ll be part of a supportive leadership and staff which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart. There’s no greater job satisfaction than seeing the difference you make every day to the lives of children and young people.
We offer:

• a competitive salary plus enhancements for relocation
• generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holiday allowance
• high quality supervision and support
• funding for you to study for relevant qualifications 
• ongoing training opportunities for you to build the skills you need to do your best for the young people in your care
• opportunities to be part of a national network of secure care and influence national policy and practice in this area of work
• a clear career path for the right candidates through the children's services management structure, with potential for progression into even more senior management roles within either Adel Beck or Children’s Services.
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund

How to apply

Before applying please read the job description and employee specification carefully. To apply you should submit: 
an up-to-date CV (maximum 4 pages) covering your full career history

a supporting statement (maximum 1 page) explaining your suitability for the role
Your supporting statement must demonstrate that your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements in the job description and employee specification. Think about your transferable skills, competencies and attributes and explain how these qualify you for the position. 
We hold interview panels regularly to fill ongoing vacancies.
To arrange an informal chat about the role please call our main reception on 0333 0000405 or email adelbeck.admin@leeds.gov.uk. 
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description 
Job purpose

All staff are required to support the Home’s main purpose of encouraging and enabling children and young people to develop attitudinally, behaviourally, educationally and emotionally so that they may deliver positive contributions to their families, society and their local communities whilst reducing offending, resulting in the decrease in victims of youth crime. The role should always create and maintain a customer focused attitude and approach that promotes positive relationships and generates a culture of openness and trust.

The role should deliver efficient, effective and quality services by way of flexible working and to work together with colleagues from all other service areas within the home to provide and maintain a safe and secure living and learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children and young people in which they can prosper, develop and achieve. The role will also foster, maintain and support pro-social behaviour, a restorative and solution focussed approach with children, young people and colleagues.
Role  

To be responsible for the overall management, leadership and operation of Residential Care Services in Adel Beck Secure Children’s Home, ensuring provision is efficient, effective and economically viable meeting with Childrens Homes Regulations, Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards, Youth Justice Standards, Education Standards, National Curriculum, Stakeholders, Contractual requirements, Leeds City Council and the homes policies, procedures and guidance.

Responsibilities

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Support the Service Manager (Secure Accommodation) in the overall management, leadership, business planning and delivery of service ensuring contractual, legislative and statutory requirements are met.

Deputise in the absence of the Service Manager (Secure Accommodation).

Provide leadership and management that focuses the Team Managers on corporate and contractual responsibilities ensuring a consistency of practice and approach in the delivery of care services.

Develop and maintain culture, policy and practice that ensure children and young people receive high standards of care.

Support measures to challenge any behaviour prejudicial to the service’s aims.

Ensure Team Managers embed all legislative and guidance frameworks appropriately through compliance with policy, procedure and practice.

To participate in and ensure recruitment, selection, induction, supervision, training and development supports the aims and requirements of the service. 

Ensure employment policies and procedures relating to managing staff are followed.

Chair Operational Management Team meetings.

Use resources effectively to achieve outcomes and where resources are insufficient identify with reasoned argument the likely impact.

Horizon scanning to identify potential hazards to delivering effective services.

Ensure staff recruitment selection, training and development to support the aims and requirements of the service.

Model, effective communication techniques, including negotiation and collaborative working with staff, partner agencies children and young people.

Promote and embed a culture with Team Managers which addresses the needs of children and young people and recognises individual differences ensuring that a range of high-quality programmes and interventions are available.

Promote, embed a culture and develop others to support the dissemination of Effective Practice, maintain clear protocols and ensure colleagues receive up to date information.

Ensure funds and resources are made available for staff induction and training including effective engagement.

Participate in information-sharing protocols with external partner agencies and local youth justice service partners (e.g. secure establishments).

Develop robust audit systems and quality assurance processes for monitoring services including the supervision of staff.

Ensure robust risk management, safety and security policies and procedures are in place, implemented and monitored.

Support a culture where risk and public protection are balanced.

Develop self and staff to enhance performance and practice through reflection and learning, share knowledge, best practice, promote ideas for innovation and improvement and use information to take effective decisions.

Understand and promote local approaches to multi-agency assessment.

Keep up to date with local and national developments in respect of the assessment of children and young people in the criminal justice system and more widely.

To physically restrain and control in line with approved restraint techniques, guidelines and procedure (SI©) (training will be provided).

To provide effective and supportive management services on a rota and on call basis.

To ensure Team Meetings take place are productive, managed effectively and records maintained.

Manage the performance of team members to ensure service standards and requirements are maintained.

Respond proactively to developments in research and practice in managing risk and other core business elements.

Ensure prior to using any equipment or undertaking an activity a risk assessment is in place and a safety data sheet available if required.

To participate in annual appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.

Ensure the Medication Policy and Procedure is followed by all staff and appropriate training provided.

Take a lead and active role in the development of organisational policy and practice.

Ensure Leeds City Council Financial Procedure Rules, Procurement and Contract procedure rules are followed promoting an ethos of spending money wisely.

Use of current computer software programmes and packages to manage and support service delivery.

Maintain records as required to meet contractual, legislative and statutory requirements.

Provide information, reports, attend, chair and participate in meetings and reviews relevant to service delivery.

Develop, establish and sustain effective working and information-sharing protocols with colleagues and external partner agencies including youth justice services (e.g. Secure Children’s Homes) to ensure an integrated service is provided, delivered and maintained.

Model effective communication techniques with staff and invite feedback on own communication skills.

Monitor and evaluate engagement skills of practitioners through regular practice, observation and feedback.

Ensure Information Governance protocols are adhered to, including legislative and good practice guidelines.

To undertake any other duties within Childrens Services that, are commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's and Departmental Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
Qualifications

Level5 or above relevant professional childcare or equivalent qualification – essential.

Professional Management Qualification – Level 5 – essential.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
Ability to pass information effectively, accurately and concisely between children, young people, carers, colleagues and other agencies.

Ability to motivate, interest and enthuse manage and direct staff.

Ability to organise, deploy and manage staff both routinely and in emergencies.

Ability to contribute to the professional development of self and staff through appraisal, supervision, training and by example.

Ability to develop and maintain high standards of professional practice.

Ability to chair meetings constructively, arbitrating and resolving conflict when necessary.

Ability to contribute to development through participation in meetings, preparing discussion documents, revising policy and procedure and developing new ideas and initiatives.

Ability to manage own workload ensuring that timescales are met and that high standards of service delivery are maintained.

Ability to respond positively and constructively to supervision and appraisal both as a provider and participant.

Ability to implement Equal Opportunities Policies in a sensitive and supportive way.

Ability to act as advocate, ensuring that the views of children and young people are considered.

Ability to manage constant and often conflicting demands.

High personal levels of patience, tenacity and tolerance.

Ability to challenge partners constructively.

Social Work or related equivalent qualification – essential.

Professional Management Qualification – desirable (must work towards and achieve within 9 months of appointment).

In depth knowledge of the National Minimum Care Standards for Residential Care for Children and the Children Act, Guidance and Regulations, Volume 5, Children’s Homes.

In depth knowledge of Local Authority policies and procedures.

In depth knowledge of Youth Justice systems.

In depth knowledge of Child Care systems.

In depth knowledge of adolescent growth and development.

In depth knowledge of delinquent and challenging behaviour.

In depth knowledge of child protection procedures and the impact of abuse.

Knowledge and understanding of secure accommodation criteria, purpose and function.

Working knowledge of team building, teamwork, group dynamics and motivation.

In depth knowledge of Equal Opportunities policies and managing diversity.

Computer literate, with a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other applications.

Of leading and managing teams.

Ability to hold difficult conversations with staff and young people.

Of supervision and appraisal.

Of providing staff training and development.

Of managing difficult, demanding and challenging children and young people.

Chairing Meetings and Reviews.

Recruitment and Selection.

Able to write and develop Policies and Procedures.

Practice Development through quality assurance.

Finance Procedures.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.

Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.

Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.

Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.

Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.

Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.

Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.

Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.
Project management skills, experience or qualification.
QCF Assessor/verifier.

Business Planning and Development experience.

Work with young people with identified mental and other health care needs or barriers to learning.