Team Manager - Referral & Assessment Team

Main Purpose:
To fulfill the authority’s responsibilities under the Children Act 1989 and other relevant legislation concerning children in need, particularly those requiring protection and those in the care of the authority.

Summary of Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Assess and provide services to children in need within legislative frameworks, departmental procedures, and child care policy.
2. Apply relevant internal policies and procedures when working with complex family situations and vulnerable children.
3. Ensure efficient service provision by liaising with other divisions, council departments, NHS trusts, schools, and other stakeholders.
4. Maintain high professional standards within your workload and promote such practice within the team.
5. Uphold professional standards and work in alignment with departmental vision, values, procedures, and managerial guidance.
6. Supervise professional staff within the team, adhering to relevant internal procedures.
7. Deputize for the group manager when necessary, including managing duty and providing support to team members.
8. Chair various professional and statutory meetings, including child in need meetings, care reviews, and permanency meetings.
9. Make budgetary recommendations and use delegated budgetary powers as appropriate.
10. Undertake training to stay updated on departmental procedures, legislation, regulations, and professional practice.
11. Take responsibility for practice development within the team, contribute to training, liaison, and represent the team as required.
12. Promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice within and outside the Council.
13. Undertake any other duties as required to meet the changing needs of the service.
14. Support the Group Manager in achieving departmental objectives and targets.
15. Perform any other duties as required to ensure efficient Department/Section running.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to work within legislative frameworks and departmental procedures.
• Effective communication skills with children, parents, carers, and colleagues.
• Ability to supervise and support junior staff dealing with difficult situations.
• Strong teamwork and partnership-building abilities.
• Skill in chairing statutory meetings and analyzing complex situations.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for record-keeping and report-writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Creative problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to contribute to team development and quality assurance systems.

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of relevant legislation, such as the Children Act 1989.
• Understanding of available services for children and families and the organizational framework.
• Knowledge of child development, family functioning, and social work intervention methods.

Experience:

• Relevant post-qualification experience in children and families social work.
• Experience supervising complex casework, contested care proceedings, supporting social workers, and practice teaching.

Bromley Values and Behavior:

• Demonstrates accountability and responsibility.
• Actively seeks continuous improvement.
• Builds productive relationships.
• Communicates effectively and influences others.

Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Social Care.
• Registration with Social Work England or the ability to obtain registration before employment.

Special Requirements:

• Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check is required.