Job Description

Are you passionate about providing appropriate support and challenge to ensure the delivery of high quality services that safeguard the welfare of children and young people? Then we have a Assistant Team Manager role available for you in the MASH team in Referral & Assessment service.


The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the first point of contact for all potential safeguarding concerns in relation to children. MASH is a co-located team which brings together agencies and their information, in order to identify risks to and needs of children at the earliest possible point and respond with the most effective and joined up actions. The purpose of MASH is to make the right decisions for the right families at the right time. This in turn will ensure timely and necessary actions to improve the outcomes for vulnerable children.

Please note, the MASH team is required to work at the office for the the first three months of their appointment.

If you're looking for a new challenge and want to be part of an exciting time for children's services in Slough then come and join us.

Main Accountabilities

-------------------------


As a member of Slough Children First's management team, provide day to day management of the team, providing appropriate support and challenge to ensure the delivery of high quality services that safeguard the welfare of children and young people. Make effective day to day use of all available professional resources and use a range of theoretical, evidence based and practical approaches including systemic practice to develop and implement effective interventions and support for children and families both within and outside of the family home. Manage the distribution of caseloads to ensure that the child or young person's needs are met appropriately. Support and challenge the team to meet the requirements around thresholds for cases, managing the preparation of high quality reports for court or other purposes, challenging, providing expert advice to guide the team through legal and organisational processes as required Support and challenge the team in the completion of assessments, plans, toolkits based on identified need, ensuring at each point risk is evaluated, decisions and management oversight are recorded on the case file and any issues or concerns are escalated to the Team Manager to address. Chair the first and transfer core groups and CIN meetings to a high standard, supporting social workers in further meetings as required. Co-work complex cases with team members as required without taking on a specific caseload of their own. Supervise social workers and non qualified staff in the team as per Slough Children First's supervision policy, supporting and supervising social work students, acting as a mentor to support them through their professional training. Lead hub / group supervision to a high standard ensuring that all team members are aware of progress on cases. Provide day to day supervision on case work to a high standard. Understand what performance information, and audit outcomes are saying to positively impact on individual cases and support staff development. Promote direct work with children and young people, supporting all members of the team to actively seek the views of children and families to inform practice in assessment and planning in individual cases. Participate in quality assurance activities to support professional development of staff and improve the consistency of practice. Support the Team Manager to tackle under-performance, sickness absence and conduct both informally and formally and within Slough Children First's policy frameworks. Contribute to Slough Children First's development with knowledge of an area of specialist practice and to provide consultation, coaching and mentoring within the Team, and across the service as a whole as required. Develop and maintain own professional links and leads with partner agencies and the voluntary sector and support those of the Team Manager. Maintain own professional development through training and other suitable mechanisms and keep up to date with changes in national, regional and local policy initiatives that will impact on the delivery of services and respond accordingly. Represent Slough Children First's values, leading by example in the delivery of these and setting a positive culture within your team, service and Slough Children First; challenge behaviour when it is not aligned with our values and take appropriate action; support a professional in a respectful and child-focussed environment which supports Slough Children First's vision Ensure all interventions are conducted within an anti-discriminatory framework, and take into account issues such as race, gender, sexuality, disability etc, and deliver appropriate services to the diverse communities of Slough. Deputise for the Team Manager, undertake projects and other additional duties as required. Undertake work outside office hours as necessary.

Person specification

------------------------


Professional Social Work Degree or equivalent

(Essential)

Working knowledge of the legislative framework and relevant guidance and procedures as appropriate to the post.

(Essential)

Experience of managing newly qualified social workers and/or unqualified staff

(Essential)

Social Work England registered

(Essential)

Experience of delivering high quality services to children and in assessment of needs, case planning and/or case management, including complex cases.

(Essential)

Ability to analyse risk relating to child protection and to plan appropriate interventions.(

Essential)

Acceptance and commitment to the principles of human rights and equality and how they underpin practice

(Essential)

Demonstrable understanding and application of the statutory framework underpinning social work

(Essential)

Specialist knowledge of one or more key issues affecting children and their families. E.g. Domestic Abuse, Mental Health, Radicalisation, Neglect, Contextual Safeguarding

(Essential)

Evidence of continued professional development to enhance own knowledge and skills ad encouraging others to develop theirs

(Essential)

Computer literate with knowledge of Microsoft Office packages

(Essential)

Significant experience in the use of electronic case management systems

(Essential)

Post graduate qualification or equivalent, or the willingness to work towards

(Desirable)

Experience of co-ordinating and managing the work of a tea, balancing needs and resources to achieve a high quality service

(Desirable)

Experience in conducting appraisals/supervision that are reflective and strive towards the successful achievement of department/business objectives

(Desirable)

Experience of managing budgets

(Desirable)

* Current UK driving license and access to a vehicle

(Desirable)