Reunification Manager

This role has a starting salary of £40,753 per annum (pro rata to £50,942 FTE), based on a 28.8 hour working week.

This is a 12-month fixed term contract/ secondment opportunity.

We are excited to be hiring a new Reunification Manager to join our fantastic Reunification Team. The team is based in Quadrant Court, Woking but covers the entire county of Surrey. The Reunification Team started in 2022 to support children to return to their families care following the NSPCC Reunification Framework. Since its creation, the team has supported 24 children to be returned home and positive feedback on practice is being received from Social Workers, Carers, Families, Guardians and Judges across Surrey.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Team
The Reunification Team sits within one of the four Looked After and Care Leaving Services but works alongside all Looked After Children and Family Safeguarding teams to support children to have safe reunification to their families. Team members work closely alongside Social Workers, Team Managers, Placement Teams and our Contact Centres to support effective testing and transition of reunification.

About the Role
As the Reunification Manager, you will manage a small team of four Reunification Practitioners who work alongside the allocated Social Worker completing direct work and parenting programmes interventions with children and families. The Practitioners caseload is low on the expectation of intense support over a timed period (usually 3 months). Within the role, the Manager strives for good quality practice and recording in the work of practitioners as many children progress to court for discharge of Care Orders.

You will act as the lead practitioner for reunification practice within Surrey and build relationships and links with all Social Work teams within the County alongside partners to publicise the team. You will be accountable for safeguarding children and work alongside social work colleagues to ensure the children's best interests are at the heart of all plans and interventions. Linking with, and learning/sharing from, other Reunification Projects across the UK is also being developed.

The Manager works alongside the Service Manager to present regular strategic and financial updates to Corporate Parenting Members and as the team was developed in only 2022, there is an opportunity for further service development and process establishment.

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Experience of working within Children's social care teams
• Social Work Degree
• Social Work England Registration
• A valid UK Drivers licence and use of own car for business travel

Contact us

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role.

For an informal discussion please contact Elaine Andrews by telephone on .

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 24th March 2024 with interviews planned for 3rd April 2024.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Before submitting your application, we recommend you read the job description. Our Life at Surrey handbook also attached provides insights of the culture at Surrey and how as a valued employee, you can help shape our Council.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.