Head Of Youth Justice Service LBS-015

Job Description

Job Category : Social & Health Care Qualified
Location : 47B East Dulwich Road, Southwark Council
Hours Per Week : 36.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £40.72

Experience of management of youth justice services essential.
As the interim head of the youth justice service, you will provide leadership and drive best practice in the strategic development of a “child first” approach within youth justice and translate this into operational delivery of services to children and their families. This will include securing political and high level management and stakeholder agreement in developing and delivering on strategic objectives in youth justice, including preparation for the new inspection regime. You will be responsible for the work and co-ordination of several systemic practice groups of multi-disciplinary staff, differently qualified, ensuring standards and performance targets are understood and met or exceeded. You will be expected to be borough based and a visible and active leader within our co-located children’s services.
Experience and skills:
Registered with Social Work England or equivalent professional qualification in work with children and families and/or relevant continuous professional development in work with children and families. In depth knowledge of the legal and statutory framework in which youth justice services operate. Knowledge and understanding of recent research and best practice in the field of youth justice and social care. Anti-discriminatory practice including promoting anti-racist practice and addressing issues of racism, inequality and injustice. Human and financial resource management and business planning at a senior level. Successful management within a statutory youth justice setting. High level written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

1. Responsible for management, continual improvement and modernisation of the youth justice service area, making best use of financial and human resources in line with the departmental workforce resource plan.

2. Share responsibility, as part of the Children’s Services division for the development and implementation of an annual service plan, including identification of learning and development needs to support targets and direction. This will reflect broader Council and departmental objectives, and government led guidance or initiatives for the service.

3. Drive service improvements and modernisation within the Family Early Help and Youth Justice Service to support the Council’s vision and key priorities and address changes in legislation and ensure best practice.

4. Responsible for meeting or exceeding statutory requirements in youth justice and contribute ensuring that the service is in a state of inspection readiness at all times.

5. Responsible for the performance management of the service, including identification of objectives, resource allocation, business planning, monitoring and evaluation.

6. Lead and develop the management team, providing direction and reflective supervision for service managers and other direct reports driving the use of systemic practice within the service.

7. Create a supportive innovative and transparent environment for the wider service so individuals work collaboratively and enable their systemic practice groups to achieve excellence in service delivery and professional practice.

8. Work with the leadership team and whole service to embed continual improvement and learning.

9. As functional lead for youth justice, provide direction and interpretation on relevant legislation and government guidance, national initiatives, research and council policy.

10. Work with partner agencies, ensuring Southwark’s interests are promoted in policy, resource and planning decisions at London and national levels. This involves representing the service and the Council at working parties, negotiations and other forums.

11. Lead and guide the commissioning of high quality and cost-effective services with external providers, where this is congruent with the service plan and needs assessment, ensuring proper procurement processes are in place.

Knowledge, including educational qualifications:
1. Registered with Social Work England or equivalent professional qualification in work with children and families and/or relevant continuous professional development in work with children and families.
2. Knowledge and understanding of recent research and best practice in the field of youth justice and social care
3. In depth knowledge of the legal and statutory framework in which youth justice services operate
4. Understanding of modern IT applications sufficient to deliver improved ways of working

Experience:
5. Managing significant and wide-reaching change to professional services, policy development and implementation
6. Successful management within a statutory youth justice setting
7. Human and financial resource management and business planning at a senior level
8. Of managing performance and quality standards in a youth justice setting
9. Able to build effective working relationships with other professionals
10. Anti-discriminatory practice including promoting anti-racist practice and addressing issues of racism, inequality and injustice.

Aptitudes, Skills & Competencies:
11. Able to provide clear and systemic leadership to professional staff
12. High level written and verbal communication skills
13. Strategic planning and leadership
14. Resource management skills

Special Conditions of Recruitment:
Comply with and promote the Council’s Equality and Diversity policies
Attendance at meetings outside of office hours as and when required
A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level is required