Safeguarding and Standards Manager / Principle Social Worker Information Pack Welcome from the Chief Executive Dear Candidate, Thank you for your interest in our Safeguarding and Standards Manager/Principal Social Worker post. This is a very exciting time to be joining the Trust and this role will play a pivotal part in shaping our practice as we take our next steps along our journey towards becoming an Outstanding provider of children s services. The Trust has been on a remarkable journey thanks to the hard work of our teams who are passionate, dedicated and, most importantly child and family focused. Already this year we have achieved a number of significant milestones, with Ofsted rating our services as Good across the board and praising how we have created a culture for good social work to flourish, morale is high and staff feel supported. Our ability to transform social work practice has been recognised further, with the Trust recently being appointed by the Department of Education as a Partner in Practice where we will contribute to improving practice across the national children s social care sector. As the Trust s Safeguarding and Standards Manager/Principal Social Worker, the successful candidate will work closely with the Service Improvement Manager and the Senior Head of Performance and Information in order to reflect on practice and continue the momentum to drive forward change to improve outcomes for children and young people. You would be responsible for Child Protection Chairs and LADO, IRO Service, Customer Experience Service, all of which are well developed strong services contributing to the protection and care planning for children. In addition, you will be responsible for the Doncaster Safeguarding Children s Board unit and lead the transition towards new local safeguarding arrangements underpinned by the Social Work Act. As the designated Principal Social Worker, you will report directly to the Director of Performance and Improvement. You will support the profession both locally and nationally, championing social work practice, the achievements, the passion and commitment of social workers to deliver the very best services for our children and young people. We are looking for someone with experience of managing and leading children s social work who is passionate about the social work profession who can join the Trust to help us fulfil our exciting future ambitions. If you feel you have the right skills and want to lead the way in shaping social work practice, we would like to hear from you. Paul Moffat Chief Executive Page 1
Terms of Appointment Remuneration and Benefits Up to 58,500 per annum full time hours Local Government Pension 30 days annual leave + statutory holidays Further information about the Trust The Board and its structure https://www.doncasterchildrenstrust.co.uk/about-us/our-organisationand-structure Our Business Plan 2017 can be found at https://www.doncasterchildrenstrust.co.uk/aboutus/publicationsreports Our steps to Outstanding can be found at https://www.doncasterchildrenstrust.co.uk/about-us/oursteps-outstanding Our values Page 2
JOB DESCRIPTON Service Performance and Improvement Safeguarding and Standards Job Number Grade Responsible to Responsible for 12 (allowance payable for Principal Social Worker role) Director of Performance and Improvement Customer Experience Manager IRO Service Child Protection Conference Chair Service LCSB Training Manager LCSB Quality Assurance Manager General The post-holder will be a member of the leadership of Doncaster Children s Services Trust and will report to the Director of Performance and Improvement. They will lead on the support to the Local Children s Safeguarding Board and the operational functions around child protection conferences, independent reviews of children in care, Local Authority Designated Officer and Customer Services. They will also be the Principal Social Worker for the Trust. The post holder will also represent the Trust in a local, regional and national arena. Purpose of the Job The post holder will be expected to work closely with key partner organisations regarding both operational and strategic matters. The post holder will lead on policy and procedure development for the Trust, and will lead on quality assurance arrangements. Duties and responsibilities Policy and Strategic Leadership 1. To develop and implement the Trust s priorities and statutory functions relating to safeguarding. 2. To take on sector leadership role in working with partners around safeguarding matters. Page 3
3. To engage in partnership governance arrangements and task groups in developing whole system and specialist developments. 4. To support the shift within organisations from compliance culture to a quality service focus which is centred and outcome focused. 5. To horizon scan for new practice or legislative developments and to translate these into Trust and partnership policies and procedures. Operational 6. To ensure that children and young people are effectively safeguarded in all settings. 7. To advocate for the interests and wellbeing of children and young people at all times. 8. Ensure effective financial management of delegated budgets in line with financial regulations and budget monitoring systems. 9. To engage with other Principal Social Workers locally and nationally to champion Social Work practice. 10. Promote the active involvement of children and young people and families in service planning and design and in their own casework with the Trust. 11. Ensure that staff are appropriately recruited, deployed, supported and performance managed, including operating robust safe selection and recruitment procedures and induction programmes. 12. Ensure the implementation of the Trust s policies on sickness absence, grievance and disciplinary matters. 13. Ensure that up to date risk registers are maintained and that all risks are identified, reported and managed effectively. 14. Ensure that service users, visitors and staff operate safely within the workplace in accordance with statutory health and safety requirements. 15. Support the partnership s Early Help strategy to ensure that early and intensive support work is supported and deployed to maximum effect. Page 4
16. Ensure that services provided are informed by statutory guidance and best practice striving for continuous improvement. In particular to comply with the Care Planning and Case Review Regulations 2010 and the IRO Handbook requirements. 17. Undertake the Trust lead in developing and implementing the quality assurance framework, including standard setting and leading on single and multi-agency auditing arrangements. 18. Ensure that the Child Protection Conferencing service and Independent Reviewing service comply with legislation and guidance and deliver the highest quality outcomes for children and their families. 19. Develop, implement and monitor effective policies and procedures to ensure the quality of service delivery. This should include regular and routine feedback from parents, children and social workers and an audit of the records and direct observation of the IRO and CPA. 20. Alert the Senior Leadership Team, Board Members and the Safeguarding Board as necessary to incidents of concern or areas of risk to the Trust identified within the scrutiny role of the service area. 21. Through effective leadership and management of the Customer Experience manager ensure the provision of a dynamic, sensitive and responsive customer care and complaints service which enables the Trust meets its statutory obligations, in accordance with relevant legislation and which enhances outcomes for users of children s services, informs service improvement and supports quality assurance. 22. To manage and deliver the current resources providing support to the Doncaster Safeguarding Children Board. o To support the development of an effective Safeguarding Children Board with Partner Agencies. o To ensure the effective strategic and operational coordination of the work of member agencies in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in Doncaster. o To co-ordinate and support the work of the Board, subgroups and other relevant groups engaged in Safeguarding Children. o To assist and support the development of policy and procedures, review and monitor their implementation and ensure they are applied consistently. o To work with subgroup Chairs to report to the Board and the Chair on a regular basis on the activity of subgroups and progress made. Page 5
o To be responsible for managing and supervising the work of the Safeguarding Children Board Officers. o Responsible for leading work on business planning, performance management and organisational development ensuring that there are adequate arrangements in place for coordinating, monitoring and reporting to the Board and thereby manage and monitor all aspects of the Board s performance against business plan, agreed targets and ensuring the achievements of appropriate standards. o Act as a source of expert professional advice and guidance to the Board and Chair. o Facilitate and ensure that children, young people and carers participate effectively in the development of Board policy and decision making. o Be accountable on a day-to-day basis for the Board's budget and finance. o To promote the Board's profile and awareness of Safeguarding issues in the community through developing publicity campaigns, promotional literature and local media publicity. 23. Ensuring that appropriate arrangements are made and support given to the setting up of Serious Case Reviews when needed. To co-ordinate the Serious Case review process and be responsible for the development of this process. 24. Facilitating and supporting the work of the Child Death Overview Panel. 25. Act as safeguarding advisor where appropriate. 26. Lead on updating of procedures via Tri-X arrangements. Corporate 27. To contribute to the corporate delivery of the Trust s vision, core values and goals, providing a clear sense of direction and purpose. 28. As a member of the Trust s leadership team, to work with other officers members to develop service direction and the priorities of the partner organisations and secure their implementation. 29. Through personal example, commitment and clear action, to value and celebrate the diversity of the community in Doncaster, ensuring equality of access and treatment in employment and service delivery. 30. To take a lead in developing both formal and informal partnerships locally to provide integrated support services that meets the objectives of strategic plans. Page 6
31. To contribute to the work of the Children and Young People s Partnership and the Doncaster Safeguarding Children Board. 32. To participate in any Best Value or Peer Reviews required. Standard statements: 1) As appropriate, to the post holder s duties must be carried out in compliance with the following: DCS Trust s Equal Opportunities Policy and Strategy, Information Security Policies, Financial Regulations and Standing Orders, Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) (and subsequent health and safety legislation) DCS Trust s Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) 2) Participate, support and comply with Council arrangements for responding to emergencies and o business interruptions. (All people managers) 3) These duties and responsibilities should be regarded as neither exclusive nor exhaustive as the postholder may be required to undertake other reasonably determined duties and responsibilities, commensurate with the grading of the post, without changing the general character of the post. Page 7
Person Specification ATTRIBUTES/REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIAL DESIREABLE HOW IDENTIFIED Education, Qualifications and Vocational Training Education to Degree level or equivalent. Management Qualification. Application form Interview Diploma in Social Work or equivalent professional social work qualification. HCPC Registration. Experience Substantial evidence of successful strategic and operational working at a senior management level within a relevant Social Care setting to vulnerable children and young people. Application form Interview References Experience of working and managing within a changing environment including evidence of successfully managing complex change in large organisations. Page 8
Previous experience of working and managing within multi-agency and multi-disciplinary partnership working. Experience of influencing service provision and commissioning in partner agencies over which there is no direct line management relationship. Evidence of successfully developing support networks and partnerships with a range of agencies to mutual benefit. Evidence of success in promoting and implementing equal opportunity policies and practices in respect of employment and service delivery. Evidence of use of innovation and creativity in leading service and/or practice development. Page 9
Knowledge and Skills An excellent knowledge and understanding of the key legislative frameworks relating to the provision of social care services to children and young people. An understanding of project management tools and their application within a public service setting. Application form Interview References An excellent understanding of the Government s change agenda as this applies to the delivery of Children s Services, with particular reference to safeguarding practice. A detailed understanding of the principles of cost centre management and budgetary planning and control. A track record of child centred practice which includes a strong emphasis on engagement with children, young people and their families. A detailed understanding of the needs of children at risk of social exclusion, in need, in need of protection, those who are looked Page 10
after or are otherwise living away from home and those who have disabilities The ability to communicate, motivate and effectively influence others at all levels and across a variety of professional groups and organisations, including children, young people and carers, at Director, Chief Executive and Elected Member and Board level. The ability to evaluate and analyse information and make decisions in circumstances where issues are not clear-cut, including direction on case work. Interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly form effective working relationships. To be able to develop and Page 11
communicate a strategic vision for children and families services and align that vision to practice and delivery of services. Leadership skills with ability to meet operational objectives through setting priorities, innovation, delegation, problem solving, and execution of planning monitoring and performance management processes. Personal Characteristics A genuine commitment to the Trust s mission. Application form Interview Additional Factors The ability to represent the Trust at meetings with the Local Authority, Government Departments, The College of Social Work, Ofsted, the Health Professions Council, the National College and other bodies Application form Interview Page 12
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