Service Lead (Systemic and Workforce) - Children's Services

Job Advertisement: Service Lead (Systemic and Workforce)

Position: Service Lead (Systemic and Workforce)
Salary: �66,318 - �80,874
Grade: MG2
Section: Children's Social Care
Directorate: Wandsworth Children's Services
Reports to: Assistant Director (Practice Standards and Principal Social Worker)
Manages:

• 4 Family and Systemic Psychotherapists
• 1 Social Care Academy Team Manager
• 1 Wandsworth LINKs Team Manager

Last Review Date: April 2024

About Us:

Join our dynamic team at Wandsworth Children's Services, working under the Richmond/Wandsworth Shared Staffing Arrangement. As a Service Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of children's social care by embedding systemic practices and leading workforce development.

Job Purpose:

We are seeking a highly motivated individual to lead the integration of systemic ideas and practices into all aspects of our service delivery. You will have strategic and operational responsibility for the Social Care Academy and workforce development, and lead the Wandsworth LINKs service, which offers innovative group work for families, Family Group Conferences (FGCs), and Lifelong LINKs.

Your mission is to support the improvement of practice with children and families, prevent children from entering care, and facilitate safe returns home. Additionally, you will develop the skills of our practitioners, managers, and leaders to ensure the highest standards of practice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Vision: Provide clear leadership for the service, setting high standards and achieving outcomes.
• Systemic Service Development: Lead the planning and delivery of a systemic service within Children's Social Care.
• Workforce Training: Oversee workforce training and development, working closely with the Wandsworth Safeguarding Children Partnership.
• Supervision & Appraisal: Provide high-quality supervision and appraisal to direct reports, ensuring consistent high standards.
• Practice Improvement: Drive the improvement of Systemic Social Work practice and ensure effective performance management.
• Quality Assurance: Work with the Quality Assurance Service Lead to enhance practice quality through evidence-based methods.
• Service Evaluation: Ensure services are evaluated rigorously and continuously improved based on feedback and outcomes.
• Workforce Development: Coordinate recruitment, support, and retention of skilled staff.
• FGCs & Lifelong Links: Lead responsibility for Family Group Conferences and Lifelong Links.
• Partnerships: Foster effective partnerships with teams across the directorate and external agencies.
• Budget Management: Ensure services deliver value for money within allocated budgets.

Person Specification:

Essential Knowledge and Experience:

• Profound understanding of safeguarding children and young people.
• Expertise in systemic approaches within children's statutory services.
• In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and theoretical frameworks.
• Significant management experience within children's social care services.
• Proven track record of developing and managing systemic practices and clinical teams.
• Strong experience with statutory processes, child protection procedures, and partnership working.

Essential Skills:

• Strong leadership and vision to inspire and motivate teams.
• Ability to manage change and lead projects effectively.
• Proficient in assessment tools and theoretical frameworks.
• Excellent partnership and multi-agency working skills.
• Strategic planning and complex information analysis capabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Qualifications:

• Social work qualification and UKCP-recognized qualification in family and systemic psychotherapy.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Postgraduate qualification as a Systemic Supervisor.

Our Values:

• Think Bigger
• Embrace Difference
• Connect Better
• Lead by Example
• Put People First

Join Us:

If you are a driven individual with a passion for improving children's social care and developing systemic practices, we encourage you to apply. Help us create a supportive, inclusive, and high-performing environment for children and families in Wandsworth.

Apply Now:

To apply, please submit your application and CV to Phil Puaca at Ackerman Pierce, (phone number removed),