Service Development Officer (Part-Time Job Share)
About us
Would you like to be part of developing and delivering services for children and families that are flexible, focused on need and readily available when families need them?
Are you interested in driving practice and system change to improve services for children and families, and the experience of teams, whilst working part-time?
We are looking for an experienced manager who is dynamic, passionate about service development and able to realise our strategic vision of delivering strength-based relationships and support with children and families across Children and Young People Services.
You will be part of a job share with the existing post holder working effectively together to:
1. Continue to embed our bespoke approach ‘Building on Strengths’, which allows workers the freedom to use their expertise to deliver practice in the most effective way.
2. Hold managerial responsibility and oversight of our Business Support Team and File Review Social Worker.
3. Deliver on a range of initiatives and workstreams that enhance our practice and enable the delivery of best outcomes to children and families.
This is a unique position where you can influence and improve policy, systems and practice across a range of teams, using research and evidence to support service and workforce development.
Our workers say the Vale:
4. ‘Lets you be yourself’
5. Has ‘approachable managers at all levels’ and
6. ‘Cares about people’
Support, warmth and opportunities to develop will be central to our offer to you.
To be successful in this role, you will:
7. Understand what good practice looks like when supporting families.
8. Have experience in achieving excellent outcomes with children, young people, their families and carers.
9. Confidently manage risk and build strong relationships across multi-agency partners.
10. Demonstrate a commitment to relationship-based practice.
11. Be a qualified Social Worker with management experience.
In return, you will be part of an Authority that is:
12. Resourceful and resilient.
13. Committed to improvement and open to new ideas.
14. Dedicated to maintaining manageable workloads.
Benefits include:
15. Free and accessible parking.
16. Regular supervision with a strong and committed extended management team.
17. Hybrid working options.
18. Excellent opportunities for personal and career development.
19. Health and well-being support including a 24-hour helpline.
20. Childcare support scheme.
Ambitious : Forward thinking, embracing new ways of working and investing in our future.
Open : Open to different ideas and being accountable for the decisions we take.
Together : Working together as a team that engages with our customers and partners, respects diversity and is committed to quality services.
Proud : Proud of the Vale of Glamorgan; proud to serve our communities and to be part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
About the role
Pay Details: Grade 11, SCP 40 – 43 £49,764 - £52,805 p.a (pro rata).
Hours of Work: 18.5 hours / Part-time (Job share working pattern to be agreed)
Main Place of Work: Docks Office, Barry
Description:
You will be involved in driving practice and system improvement, which includes the delivery of formal and informal training/reflective sessions with all of our teams, so you will be comfortable presenting to and facilitating a range of groups.
You will also lead and contribute to the development of systems, policies, procedures, reports and other written materials as needed. You will be equally comfortable with children and families, workers in the teams, and senior managers.
On occasion, you may become involved in the direct work of teams, if a problem-solving approach is needed. Therefore, you will have an extensive social work background and robust practice experience.
You will share the supervision of our Business Support Manager, ensuring the delivery of these functions is streamlined and effective.. You will also share the supervision of our File Review Social Worker and all Subject Access Requests made to Child and Young People Services.
About you
Workers in the Vale of Glamorgan are able to be kind, consistent and focussed in their work with children, young people, their families and carers making a real difference to children and families when circumstances are challenging. Managers are readily available and staff wellbeing is a priority.
The role of the Service Development Officer is key to supporting Children and Young People Services to deliver best practice to children and families. You will have a range of experience in children and families social work, which you will use in this role. You will be interested and skilled in using research and evidence in your daily work, and sharing this with others.
You will also be a skilled manager who is creative and ambitious for your direct operations (Business Support and File Review).
You will need :
21. DBS Check Required: Enhanced
22. To be a qualified and registered Social Worker with Social Care Wales.
23. Experience of statutory social work management with children, young people and their families.
24. Experience of data and systems.
25. Knowledge of the principles of the Children Act 1989 and the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, as well as other legislation and policy relevant in Wales.
26. An ability to design and deliver formal and informal training and reflection, incorporating evidence and research into your work.
27. A commitment to strengths-based partnership working.