Address
Form of workHow you'll make a difference
As the Practice Manager you will make a difference by overseeing all Families Plus 5-18 delivery work, including the direct supervision and performance management of the team, allocation of referrals and quality assurance of work completed by Families Plus workers. By leading the team effectively, you will help vulnerable families to overcome their difficulties and see their children and young people thrive.
Families Plus workers deliver targeted services directly to families and through group work. We help families with young children, and during pregnancy, who are experiencing challenges that are preventing those children from thriving. The help that Families Plus provide is for parents as well as their children, and our work takes place on a whole-family basis, whether the children are new-born or about to enter adulthood.
Direct work is based on an holistic assessment of need, normally an Early Help Assessment and Plan (EHAP), identifying goals with the family and putting together a plan with them to achieve those outcomes. Families Plus workers often lead this work but also contribute specific work to plans led by community organisations (Community EHAPs.)
The team works with family members in their homes, community settings such as schools and Children’s Centres, as well as the Council’s Hub buildings across South Gloucestershire.
As a Practice Manager, you will also be part of the management team that drives the ongoing development of the Families Plus offer so that it can respond to the changing needs of South Gloucestershire’s families.
Here are some comments from parents who have been helped by Families Plus workers:
‘The work we’ve done with you means our daughter is communicating her feelings more easily than before, which is helping enormously.’
‘After Families Plus worked with our son, he is a lot more confident with school and in himself.’
‘The parenting course we completed with Families Plus helped us massively… I can honestly say it has made us better parents.’
… and here’s what Families Plus workers say about being in the team:
‘I have really valued the training opportunities made available, which boosted my confidence in the strengths I already had, as well as increasing my knowledge to provide families with the right support.’
It’s a real privilege to be invited into a family’s life to support them at a time when they need to get things back on track – and it’s even better when you say goodbye and reflect on the positive outcomes you’ve achieved together.’
‘I really appreciate how supportive everyone – including managers – is of each other. Team members notice when their colleagues are affected by something they have heard during a session and provide support through listening, offering suggestions for a way forward, helping them complete a task or simply making them a cuppa!’
‘I love the many different challenges my role brings to me, working within the Families Plus team; I never get bored!’
What will you be doing?
- You will ensure records are kept in accordance with professional standards and prepare and present reports on cases and issues
- You will supervise the work of the team and assist in the overall leadership and management to deliver the personalised support service.
- You will quality assure work to ensure that services are delivered to a high standard, using data to target and allocate resources appropriately.
- Using your specialist knowledge, you will provide high level support and supervision, providing guidance and ensuring case work decisions are made in accordance with agreed safeguarding procedures and standards.
What we need from you
- You will be required, on occasion to work flexibly and outside normal working hours such as evenings or weekend, this is to ensure the team is responsive to the needs of the families we are supporting.
- You will hold a degree or hold a relevant professional qualification, e.g. youth, early years or social care. You will also have significant post qualification experience in the area of a children’s service setting, to include experience of staff supervision and experience of working with vulnerable children, young people and families.
- You will have a detailed understanding of successful strategies to improve outcomes for children, young people and families and have a clear understanding of the national issues.
- You will be able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of current legislation and best practice relating to children and young people’s services.
- You will be able to plan and manage departmental budgets.
- You will be an effective leader and have management experience to draw upon.
Please note that due to the nature of this role it is a requirement of employment that an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is obtained for this post.
You will be required, on occasion to work flexibly and outside normal working hours such as evenings or weekend, this is to ensure the team is responsive to the needs of the families we are supporting.
How a career at South Gloucestershire Council is different
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Ensuring all our staff are given right skills, knowledge and support to recognise and respond effectively to potential abuse or neglect.
We recognise that our diverse team of skilled and dedicated people make us a great place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and ensure that individuals are selected, promoted and developed on the basis of their merits and abilities.
Our teams at South Gloucestershire Council are making a real difference to the lives of people who live, work and learn here.
- We're building and shaping communities which people are proud of
- We're working with the most vulnerable in our community to help them achieve what they want in life
- We're investing in our schools to ensure every child and young person in South Gloucestershire achieves their full potential.
We've achieved a great deal, but we need talented and dedicated people to ensure we continue to make a difference.
We’re making a difference, be part of it!
For more information, please contact Fiona Mapley-Sims via email [email protected].
Interviews will take place week commencing: 22.01.2024
#LI-DNI
