Group Manager

Job Description

Job Category : Management
Location : Lewisham Council
Hours Per Week : 35.00
Start Date : immediate start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £40.74

Extensive Management post holds responsibility for Children With Complex Need and Disabilities (CWCND) across statutory and safeguarding duties. Providing guidance and operational line management across the service directly managing the Operational and Team managers in Social Care, Short Breaks and CWCN Paediatric Community Occupational Therapy (COT) .
This Post works on highly complex matters relating to Children With Complex Need and Disabilities (CWCND) and requires a significant amount of specialist knowledge. The role requires being social work qualified and experience of operating a senior professional level.
Responsible for the core social care service within the Integrated SEND Service which is also an integral part of CSC.. Representing CWCN Social Care at meetings and during inspections.

Management Responsibilities

1. To work as a member of the Children’s’ Social Care Management Team and with other partners and contribute to the full integration of Children’s Services.

2. To take action required on financial and performance management information.

3. To contribute to the development of partnerships with other directorates and external agencies, including attendance at meetings as appropriate.

4. Ensure that systems are in place to monitor and review policies, procedures and practice on a regular basis, including regular reports made available for the Children’s Social Care Senior Management Team and that outcomes are fed back to improve front line practice
5. To deputise for the Service Manager in own area as required and represent the Directorate as required on corporate and external activities and groups.
Managing Services and Delivery

1. To manage and lead on designated business projects and deliver on time within budget and to agreed quality standards.

2. To actively consider new and innovative ways of working which recognise and promote the positive benefit of change to improve services and achieve goals.

3. To ensure that service users participation and engagement is promoted and their views are actively reflected and considered in service delivery.

4. To lead/contribute on audit activity and ensure that action plans are delivered to required specification.

5. To identify, establish and maintain relevant information and systems in critical areas and analyse material to identify priorities, make decisions, determine action and review process.

1. Experience:

• Successful background of consistent achievement at management level in a local authority.
• Significant experience of delivery of statutory social work services delivering good outcomes for children, young people and their families.
• Experience of management of a diverse group of professional staff in the public and/or private sector.
• Experience in the preparation, management and control of large complex budgets.
• Successful management of change, harnessing the strengths and talents of the workforce in a complex area within a large organisation.
• A track record of successfully building and developing partnerships, both internally and externally, and the ability to establish trust and credibility.
• Evidence of success in determining and evaluating service quality and identifying opportunities to achieve effectiveness and best value.
• Experience of performance management and improvement of both national and local performance indicators on both a quantitative and qualitative basis.
• A proven track record of effective working, communicating and negotiating effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and audiences whilst developing positive relationships.
• Maximise service delivery within tight financial limits in a large organisation; and set, monitor and review allocated budgets

2. Knowledge and Ability
 Understand statistical information and ability to analyse, communicate and develop strategies for corrective action. Ability to deliver action plans and ensure review mechanisms for sustainment.
 Understands best practice within provision of statutory children’s social care services.
 Evidences ability to be informed by, contribute to and understand research and its translation for service delivery.
 Ability to provide clear leadership and empower and motivate staff to ensure optimum delivery of services.
 Deliver on programme management of projects, from initiation to delivery ensuring milestones are met and mechanisms for consultation and briefing of key stakeholders and decision makers.
 Demonstrates understanding of the council strategy, vision and priorities.
 Actively seeks and offers new approaches, methods, techniques and tools. Tries out new ways of working and shares their insights with colleagues
 Ability to make difficult decisions in a timely way.

1. Education and Qualifications
 Social Work qualification
 HCPC registration

2. Skills

 Demonstrates an ease, fluency and resilience in terms of:
 Problem analysis and decision making
 Using performance information to plan, shape and improve service delivery.
 Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing to a range of stakeholders.
 Planning own and others activities
 Organising arrangements for delivery of service with contingencies in place.
 Directing and motivating others within a pressured environment
 Use of technology and other management tools.
 Time management and prioritisation within competing demands.
 Energises others and self to overcome barriers
 Encourages, mentors and coaches others to deliver
 Demonstrates regard for others.
 Responsive to others needs and considers impact within decision making.

 Builds relationships and influences others for mutual benefits