About the Team:
Southampton City Council Children’s Services have worked hard over the last 5 years to create a significant shift in culture and performance, becoming an employer of choice for the best social workers, managers and leaders in the South. Our efforts were recognized by OFSTED in our 2023 ILACS grading of “Good with Outstanding Leadership.”
In our continued drive for innovation and improvement we have launched a full service re-design to prepare us for the implementation of a Family Safeguarding/Family Help model of delivery in the City. As a result of this we have created several new management and leadership positions and are excited to offer an invitation for applicants to come and join us on our journey.
In Southampton our staff are cared for and stretched in equal measure. We all need managers and leaders who listen to us, inspire us, support us, and provide a safe environment for us to practice at our very best. Our Assistant Team Managers are pivotal to our strong social work family, where practitioners feel safe to learn from honest mistakes, are supported to develop enduring relationships with children and families and are actively encouraged to share their views about the environment in which they work.
Whether this is your first step into management or you are looking for a change, we would love to hear from you!
About the Role:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for two Assistant Team Managers to join our newly launched Family Safeguarding service. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes domestic abuse, mental health and substance misuse specialists. Our Family Safeguarding teams support the whole family in order to achieve change for the adults and reduce any impairment or harm for the children. Having highly skilled multi-disciplinary teams available for families ensures the right support is provided at the earliest opportunity.
We are looking for passionate, dynamic leaders who are able to energise others with their vision and drive for delivering excellent services for children. We are proud to be creating a City where children are kept safe from harm and families are supported to raise their children in safe, loving environments.
During the 2023 ILACS inspection where we received Good with Outstanding for Leadership and Management, Ofsted noted:
“Impressive strategic and operational leadership, aligned with corporate and political commitment, has provided a clear vision, ambition and energy which has garnered the confidence and commitment of key partners. There is a collective momentum to continue to improve services and outcomes for children across the city.”
Systemic practice and Motivational Interviewing is our overarching approach. Its principles encourage us to practise in a way that is appreciative, and strengths-based, with a belief in the family’s capacity to create real and sustainable change. A systemic approach invites us to be curious about our own and others’ perspectives, helping people in families to do the same. This can create space for new ideas and possibilities for change to emerge.
If this sounds like an opportunity that excites and interests you then we very much look forward to receiving your application.
Rewards:
* As Ofsted has stated in our inspection in June 2023 where we were judged 'Good', ‘Practitioners are supported by energetic and responsive frontline managers who maintain clear, confident and close oversight of children’s progress’. You will be provided with regular good quality 1-1 personal supervision that aligns to our systemic practice framework.
* Laptop and smart phones, and other equipment to enable office-based, flexible and remote working.
* Robust induction period and personal development plan that meets your training and development needs. You will have membership to Research in Practice as well as access to a comprehensive internal resource library.
* We are increasingly embracing tried and tested AI tools for social workers, reducing admin time.
* Flexible working arrangements are available such as 9-day fortnight.
* Paid leave (up to 34 days excluding bank holidays dependent on length of service).
* Discounted rail fares, paid parking and access to the Council's bicycle loan scheme.
* Generous lease car scheme with salary sacrifice, particularly for electric cars. More than one car can be leased via individual agreement.
* Opportunities to engage in work-based activities well-being such as yoga and choir.
* Monthly employment awards and recognition schemes.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
A social work qualification and Social Work England Registration is essential for this post.
Our Location:
You will be based within Southampton city centre in the Civic Centre, a historical building within easy reach of a range of colleagues also based in the building. Our Family Help teams are based in our family hubs around the City. Flexible/remote/home working is available.
Our Organisation:
Southampton City Council is a unitary authority. You will have access to a permanent, visible, responsive senior leadership team which is supportive at all management levels.
We are committed to the development of all our staff, whilst working in a highly supportive and highly challenging culture. All of which is at the ethos of our ambition to become a child friendly city.
Contact details for informal discussion:
For more information or an informal discussion about the role please contact recruitment@southampton.gov.uk or speak with Service Manager Catalin Maric: catalin.maric@southampton.gov.uk or Service Manager Emma Lowe: emma.lowe@southampton.gov.uk
Interview date: w/c 10th March 2025
Additional Information
* This post requires an Enhanced DBS check.
* For any posts that require a DBS check, if you have lived outside the UK within the last 5 years, you will be required to provide a Certificate of Good Conduct or a police certificate from the country/countries you have resided in. Kindly note that this is at the expense of the candidate, as well as any costs involved for translating into English.
* Please note the salary quoted is based on full-time hours (37 hours per week).
* Contractual Car User Allowance applies to these roles.
Recruitment contact details: 023 8083 4033 or recruitment@southampton.gov.uk
For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council Follow us on social media for regular updates on our featured jobs and latest news.
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