Director of Safeguarding

Transcription

1 Candidate brief for the position of Director of Safeguarding Island of Saint Helena

2 Dear Candidate, Thank you for your interest in the role of Director of Safeguarding in Saint Helena. I believe that this is an exceptional opportunity, offering the right individual a good quality of life alongside a role of surprising complexity. We seek a new candidate to fill this position following the recent departure of the previous Director of Safeguarding. This is a role where the successful candidate will manage the Safeguarding teams and lead them in the further development of safeguarding and social services on St Helena. We are an Overseas Territory of the UK and have a strong partnership with the UK Government. In early 2016 we will have an airport. This will lead to a host of new opportunities for St Helena as well as presenting a series of challenges to our public services as we work to develop our economy. Although a remote island, we do not operate in isolation from the rest of the world. We take considerable pride in our achievements on the island. The ideal candidate for this role will bring a broad range of skills and experience. You will need to demonstrate strong and proven leadership skills and the ability to deliver effective safeguarding services. You will also be able to assist the Chief Secretary, internal colleagues and external partners to create a strategic framework for integrated social services/safeguarding. St Helena is an extraordinary place to live and work. You will find further information about the place and the role in this information pack and I would encourage you to talk to our HR Section if you have any questions. We look forward to reviewing your application. Best wishes, Roy Burke Chief Secretary Jamestown, the capital of Saint Helena

3 The island of St Helena is an internally self-governing Overseas Territory of the United Kingdom located in the South Atlantic approximately 4,000 miles from the UK. The Government comprises a Governor (who is appointed by the Crown) an Executive Council, which has the general control and direction of Government, and a Legislative Council. The Governor retains responsibility for internal security, external affairs, defence, the public service, finance and shipping. The island s population is around 4,500 and it has a typical small island economy with a high import dependency, a narrow economic base, a large public sector (around 790 staff), and significant outward labour migration. Over half of its recurrent public expenditure and 90 percent of capital expenditure are funded by British budgetary aid as the UK has an obligation to ensure that the reasonable needs of the population are met. Economic development is constrained by St Helena s extreme isolation, its small and, until recently, declining population, and a lack of significant natural resources. View of Diana s Peak, highest point on Saint Helena The overall vision of the St Helena Government (SHG) is: Strengthened community and family life through vibrant economic growth, with opportunities for all to participate, within a framework of effective government and law. To support this vision there are three National Goals: A vibrant economy providing opportunities for all to participate Strong community and family life Effective management of the environment

4 In November 2011 the UK Government agreed to fund an airport. The airport is almost complete and will be undergoing an ASSI certification process, shortly. The airport should be operational in the first half of This major project has already had a significant impact on St Helena s economic prospects and a dramatic impact on the island community, bringing a period of accelerated social and economic change. Unemployment stands at virtually zero and Government revenues are significantly increased. Achievement of the SHG s Goals and Strategic Objectives will require sound management and transformation of the public sector is designed to make it a professional, modern, and flexible organisation able to initiate and respond to change. SHG has undergone a modernisation programme and has started an Organisational Development project that will enable the Public Service to improve its delivery of the government s developmental objectives. A new Prospectus for Change and a soon to be developed Ten Year Plan are all in the pipeline. There are five directorates reporting to the Chief Secretary who is the Head of the Service: Education; Health; Safeguarding; Environment & Natural Resources and Corporate Services. The Police Service reports to the Governor. This structure remains under review. A pod of dolphins

5 Role Profile Director of Safeguarding Package circa of 92k per annum Scope of Work: The Director has the following principal responsibilities: i) Assist the Chief Secretary, internal colleagues and external partners to create a strategic framework for integrated social services/safeguarding that: Supports multi-disciplinary working; Enables vulnerable individuals and families to be identified at the earliest possible stage; Identifies the requirements for services to improve; Supports adults and children with social care and/or welfare needs and ensures that safeguarding frameworks are in place to protect them; ii) iii) Work collaboratively to ensure that services are provided in the most cost effective and joined-up way, and so far as possible at a universal and prevention level. This includes in particular promoting collaboration across social services, which includes Children and Young People, Learning Disabilities, Adults Services and residential provisions. Establishing complementary and consistent ways of working between the sections of service delivery is critical. Develop and maintain strategic and operational partnership relationships across health, education, police and voluntary organisations and thereby continue multi agency work to address the major issues affecting community life. This will include development work on domestic violence, alcohol abuse, care for older and disabled persons and under age sexual activity by older men; iv) Assist the Chief Secretary and internal colleagues in the further development of St Helena s health and well-being strategy to help ensure the cost effective delivery of health and social services v) Plan and manage the timely and effective delivery of assessments and services to ensure that individuals and families that need services and/or benefits are supported; vi) vii) Lead on the development of selfdirected support to ensure the health, safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals whilst enabling people to retain their dignity, control and, so far as possible, independence; Ensure that children s and adult s safeguarding is a corporate and universal priority; viii) Manage the Safeguarding teams and lead them in the further development of safeguarding and social services on St Helena, reviewing and developing strategies, policies and plans as appropriate; ix) Mentor the permanent Team Managers, quality assuring systems and developing them further to ensure achievement of the islands Safeguarding objectives; x) Ensure the training programmes agreed by the Safeguarding Children Board and for other services are delivered effectively; xi) Provide support and professional advice within as required. The post

6 holder should will have a responsibility with other suitably qualified professionals to the Chairperson of all Child Protection Conferences (Initial and Review) and of any Looked After Child Reviews; Personal requirements for the post: Must be able to work in a small isolated community. Flexible approach to work and be prepared to assist with the provision of services when there are staff shortages. Must be a good communicator. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The General Hospital Essential UK Qualified Social Worker CQSW or DipSW or equivalent. Must have a current registration with the Health Care Professionals Council (or equivalent for Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland) or equivalent internationally. A minimum of 10 years experience within the field of social work at least 5 of which are in a management/ leadership capacity Up to date knowledge and practical experience of managing frontline social work services. Management Qualification minimum Diploma in Management Studies or equivalent Experience of safeguarding children and young people Experience of working with vulnerable adults Experience working in remote and/or isolated environments Desirable Crisis management skills Experience developing new services Note: A successor will not be trained and ready to assume this post at the end of this contract, but the aim will be to identify and fully train a suitable person to assume the role at an appropriate time.

7 Competencies Under the SHG Competency framework, this post holder is required to have the competencies as outlined in the attached annex. SHG Competency Framework Levels Professional Development Requirements for Continuous Professional Development met and when necessary submitted to Professional Institute in order to continue recognition of professional status Planning and delivery of work Ensures appropriate resources and levels of capability to deliver to plan. Promotes and enforces appropriate organisational rules and procedures Leads by example in managing business relationships Analysis and use of information Identifies trends from complex or conflicting data. Takes steps to address the root causes of highly complex problems Develops new policy and procedures. Decision making Shapes new policies and sets long-term objectives. Understands the wider strategic environment to make appropriate resource decisions. Strategically processes the impact of decisions. Determines results which are aligned to strategic decisions Ensures decisions are evidence-based drawing on available knowledge and past experience Working with others Manages relationships with key stakeholders by utilising a high level of understanding of own and other s behaviours. Develops relationships with key stakeholders. Influences key stakeholders on issues relevant to the organisation. Creates an environment which will enable delivery of shared policy outcomes Communication Varies language and content to ensure understanding of audience. Facilitates understanding by explanation and example. Highlights key points for summary from detailed and complex documents Influencing and persuading Influences the organisation s strategy by utilising internal and external resources. Delivers influential advice and briefings. Focuses on outcomes irrespective of the source of the challenge. Sets strategies to support a diverse workforce. Dealing with change Encourages employees to embrace and contribute to change. Presents the business need for change and can focus others on the positive aspects. Enables others to implement change. Anticipates obstacles to change.

8 Continuous improvement Can describe what the future looks like in terms of service improvements and modernisation. Motivate others to improve and develop their performance. Constructively challenges existing strategies. Sets SMART objectives for teams and evaluates them Managing resources Ensures appropriate resources and levels of capability to deliver to plan Uses management information to monitor/control resources. Supports initiatives for new and more efficient use of resources. Gains respect and credibility from team members through effective delegation, coaching and development. How to Apply RMS St Helena We offer an extensive benefits package with 30 days leave per annum which will include a contributory pension plus generous income tax-free allowances for relocation, rent and utilities. An application form can be found at where further information can also be found, or you may contact Kedell Worboys, SHG UK Representative, on or shgukrep@sthelenagov.com. Applications must be received by 11 January Interviews will be held in London. In order to apply, please complete the application form which can be found at Your application should set out how you meet the requirements outlined in the person specification and principal duties and tasks performed sections. Please include your contact details, current salary information and details of two referees. All information will be treated as strictly confidential and referees will not be contacted without permission. Heart Shaped Waterfall