Interim Service Manager - Children’s

Interim Service Manager - Children’s

About the role

As the manager of the either the Access and Response Team, Social Care Long Term, 0-25 Disability Services or Corporate Parenting (Transition to Independence, Looked After Children, Fostering and Adoption) service, the post holder will provide strategic direction for their area of social care services.

The post holder will, through the managers who directly report to them, ensure that vulnerable children are protected from significant harm, and that the council works with children where there is risk of family breakdown, as well as working with children in care to enable the best possible outcome for the child.

The role includes responsibility for the leadership and management of their service area, ensuring compliance with the National Standards.

The role involves direct line management of a group of managers and staff and also has a lead strategic function within the department.

The role involves promoting collaborative partnership arrangements and reporting within the political framework. There is also a requirement to report to relevant partnership boards and chair relevant decision making panels relating to children and young people with complex needs.

The role requires the on-going development of social work practice and long term strategic planning for the service.

The role may include negotiation of contracts with other organisations, and responsibility for the leadership and management of commissioning.

Key Knowledge & Skills

• 1. You will have substantial managerial experience organising and co-ordinating business support services
• 2. You will also have experience of producing long term plans which satisfy business objectives.
• 3. You will have extensive experience in risk management and applying these principals to services.
• 4. You will be able to think and act strategically, solve problems and make decisions.
• 5. You will be able to understand the organisations requirements and expectations of the function and put strategies in place to achieve these.
• 6. You will have experience of designing and managing resources within the function to meet organisational requirements
• 7. You will have an applied understanding of the technical issues in your service areas and departments.
• 8. You will have excellent leadership skills and use these to inspire, motivate and develop your teams to high levels of performance.
• 9. You will have proven business and people managerial experience in this area.
• 10. You will be a skilled communicator, who is able to negotiate with and influence colleagues and partners.
• 11. You will hold a relevant degree or an equivalent level academic qualification or experience of an equivalent level
• 12. You will hold a professional qualification in any directly relevant discipline
• 13. You will be able to deal with confidential and highly sensitive issues.

Person Specification

Essential

• Recognised and relevant professional qualification e.g. DipSW, CQSW, CSS. Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• A proven track record of senior management within Children and Young Peoples Services
• Project management and strategic long term planning skills
• Experience of managing budgets and resources within Children’s Services
• Experience of leadership and change management
• A clear in-depth understanding of the national issues and legal framework relating to Children and Young People
• Experience of Commissioning Services
• Knowledge of Outcome Based Accountability
• Skilled communicator, able to deal with confidential and highly sensitive issues
• Evidence of a management qualification or equivalent

Rate Of Pay

PAYE: £400

Umbrella: £500

Location: BS37 5AF