About us

We are within easy commutable distance of Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside regions. In addition, we offer flexible working – including a blend of working from home/remotely.

We have a strong vision for social work practice in Warrington and have developed a systemic approach. In Warrington we want all children and families to benefit from high quality and purposeful relationships with professionals. We believe this will help create the best opportunities for people to change and reach their full potential. We also believe one of the most effective ways to improve the outcomes for children and families is through providing our social workers with the best conditions in which they can thrive.

The role

To oversee a team to ensure effective provision of a statutory social work service to children and families working within local and national guidance and legislation. To embed and adopt our systemic model of practice rooted in relational work with families, which emphasizes people’s relationships as key to understanding their experiences. To equip and support social workers to implement evidence-based interventions to instigate change to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. To be responsible for the day-to-day management of senior practitioners, social workers and other practitioners working with complex and challenging children and family cases, ensuring that services are delivered to the highest achievable professional standards, meet key measurable objectives and operate within clear and up to date operational policies. Help to shape and influence an environment, which enables excellent practice by setting high standards and motivating others to do the same. Lead by example, showing integrity, creativity, resilience and clarity of purpose; being visible and accessible to staff, children and families. To support the Service Manager in the oversight of wider service developments to ensure we create the conditions where great social work practice can flourish. To deputise in the service managers absence on his / her behalf. 

What's needed?

• Provide a safe, calm and well-ordered environment for all staff.
• Ensure the effective allocation of work within the team, ensuring that high priority work is accorded the appropriate status; making certain that un-allocated work is safely managed.
• Provide regular professional and reflective supervision for team members (social workers and other practitioners who are based within the team)
• Monitor, evaluate and review performance targets, identify poor performance and take necessary action.
• Promote reflective thinking to drive effective discussions to enable reasoned and timely decision-making
• Identify individual training needs and develop plans for individual members of staff.
• Help practitioners to make decisions based on observations and analysis, taking account the wishes and feelings of children and families.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of new staff and progression panels for existing staff.
• Oversee induction programme for new members of the team.
• Support the ASYE programme and wider social work academy of training as we embed systemic practice and the Knowledge and Skills System into practice.
• Respond and liaise with the public, professionals and colleagues using appropriate methods of communication, recording as required on the appropriate system.
• To have strategic oversight of the entire team including having a clear vision and understanding of collective strengths and weaknesses.
• To chair strategy meetings and child protection core groups and child in need meetings as required.
• To respond (in conjunction with the service manager) to complaints and requests for information from members of the public, Councillors and MPs and to Freedom of Information Act requests.
• To ensure the work of the service meets the expectations of external bodies e.g. Court, Fostering Panel, and Adoption Panel.
• To have devolved responsibility for the management of budgets within the designated service area.
• To ensure compliance with ICS requirements and use of departmental children’s information record. (Mosaic).
• To take responsibility for own continuing professional development, maintaining an up-to-date and accurate record of activities in line with requirements of the social work regulator.
• To contribute to the development of the service as an active member of the management team; contributing to the annual service plan, management team meetings and deputising for the service manager in his/her absence and to provide cover for other managers as appropriate.
• To be responsible for the development of effective working links between the team, service users, health, education, the voluntary sector and other section within the Council.
• To represent Families and Wellbeing Directorate at working parties, inter-agency forums and other groups as required.
• To ensure that the development of the service is informed by changes in legislation, developments in research and policy development and are sensitive to the wider political context.
• To comply with the statutory obligations of the Council and the Directorate.
• To comply with all Health and Safety requirements in the performance of all duties.
• To carry out all duties with due regard to confidentiality and data protection.
• To comply with the HCPC Code of Conduct.
• To undertake any other duties as may be allocated from time to time, which are deemed to be commensurate with the designation and grading of the post.
• A commitment to work outside of normal working hours as and when required.

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, working for us means you get:

• 26 days annual holiday - raising to 31 after 5 years of service (pro-rata)
• Access to our attractive and competitive benefits package
• Access to our Health & Wellbeing Programme
• Essential car allowance

Key Dates & Further Information

Interview will be within 4 weeks. 

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

DBS clearance is required.

Warrington Borough Council is a Disability Confident employer