This role is with Adopt South, the partnership Regional Adoption Agency for Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton local authorities.
About the role:
We are looking for an Assistant Team Manager to join our Adoption Support team, in our dynamic and innovative Regional Adoption Agency.
Children and young people who have been adopted may at times face day-to-day challenges both at home and in school. As the Adoption Support Assistant Team Manager, you will review and consider how best we shape and define support to our families through the range of services we currently offer. This includes our triage and multi-disciplinary services, as well as assessing families who require therapies funded by the Adoption Support Fund.
We are looking for an inspiring and enthusiastic person, who will consider new approaches and processes with the team, so when our families contact us for help or advice, we can offer them the best outcome that meets their needs efficiently and timely.
You'll have exceptional communication skills, with the ability to relate to all different kinds of people. You will have some management experience with evidence of reporting, changing, or introducing new processes to improve performance, whilst ensuring staff feel motivated and involved.
A good understanding of Child Protection legislation is important to the role, as is the motivation to grow through personal and professional development. Above all, you will be determined to make a difference for both the service and the children who need it.
Key responsibilities:
* Managing, prioritising, and reviewing a complex case load within departmental guidelines.
* Managing staff allocations and ensuring work is completed within statutory regulations.
* Contributing to robust reflective management oversight through supervision, case oversight, and auditing.
* Ensuring that best outcomes for children are at the centre of all practice and decision making.
* Work in collaboration with our key partners and colleagues across the region.
* Contributing to data monitoring, service analysis, and evaluation.
* Maintaining an awareness of corporate and departmental equalities, health and safety, sustainability, and other relevant policies and procedures and applying them in the day-to-day job requirements.
* Ensuring that all Hampshire County Council child protection and safeguarding policies are adhered to, and concerns are raised in accordance with these policies.
* Deputising for the Team Manager in their absence.
* Authorising assessments in line with team quality assurance processes.
* Supporting in the development of training including being prepared to deliver training as required.
* Working flexibly to meet the needs of the service which will include some evening and Saturday working.
* Collaborating with the marketing team to ensure communications to families and young people meet the needs of different audience groups who use our adoption support services.
Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
* Social Work qualification.
* Social Work England registration.
* A minimum of three years post-qualifying social work experience.
* Extensive experience of assessment work and understanding of permanence for children.
* Strong analytical skills.
* Knowledge of adoption services and processes.
* Experience of managing, supervising, and developing others.
* Knowledge of relevant adoption legislation and regulations.
* Strong report writing and negotiation skills.
* Excellent understanding of safeguarding and confidentiality.
* Proactive with the ability to work alone and as part of a team when required.
* The ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and service users.
Working Conditions:
* Use of Display Screen Equipment.
* Potential verbal abuse and/or aggression.
* Lone working.
* You must be able to meet the travel requirements of the role. Typically, a full driving license and access to a car, but reasonable adjustments will be considered to cater for a declared disability.
What we can offer you:
* A generous local government pension scheme.
* Flexible working (role dependent). Up to 13 days of Flexi Leave.
* Hybrid working arrangements (role dependent).
* 25 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays.
* Online Benefits – salary sacrifice schemes, benefits, and discounts.
* Great local transport links.
* Employee assistance programme with access to our health, wellbeing, and support.
For further information on our benefits package please visit: Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk)
Contact details for informal discussion:
Please contact Service Manager carol.beddow@hants.gov.uk
Recruitment contact details:
Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk
Tel: 023 8083 4033
For more information about SCC please visit: Southampton City Council
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