Job Description
2-3 months contract with a Local Authority
Job Summary:
* To commission a range of external care placements to meet the needs of the Council’s Looked After Children.
* To ensure the delivery of Value for Money in all the team’s commissioning processes.
* To negotiate the costs of individual and volume agreements to deliver ongoing efficiencies.
* To develop the provider market to meet the evolving needs of the complex client group.
* To ensure that the appropriate contract framework is in place for each placement made.
* To advise social workers on other staff on the most appropriate placement option available.
* To ensure that all children and young people in external placements are safeguarded from harm and have the appropriate care packages in place to meet their needs.
* To act as an interface between external agencies and the operational services to maximise placement stability and minimise placement disruption.
* To contribute to the development and implementation of the Department’s service strategy, its performance and its contribution to the Council’s objectives.
* To manage within a quality and equalities framework based on Council policy and performance targets, professional standards and best practice.
* Contribute to the development and delivery of services in a manner that reflects the diversity of the group’s users and staff.
* To support the Team Manager (Access to Resources) and adhere to the Council’s standing orders and financial regulations.
* To work closely with partners in Health, Education and other Council groups, external providers and the private and voluntary sector, to ensure that the most appropriate joint planning/funding arrangements are agreed and progressed.
* To play a major role in developing and implementing the Service Centre Plan of the Access to Resources Integrated Service.
Key Duties/Accountabilities (Sample):
* To play an active role as a member of the Integrated Children’s Commissioning Service.
* To develop and maintain a work programme that ensures the appropriate tasks and processes are completed to agreed timescales and standards.
* To assist in the design and implementation of working systems, electronic and other information flows.
* To participate in corporate groups where appropriate, representing the Access to Resources Team as agreed.
* To ensure that the Council’s financial policies are implemented and that financial arrangements are adhered to.
* To play a key role in safeguarding the external placements budget by directing operational social work staff on the most cost-effective placement options.
* To contribute to the development of a team plan and associated monitoring and reviewing processes.
* To maintain and update the approved lists and contracts for children’s agency placements and all related records and documentation.
* To attend organisational meetings on the most complex cases, to determine best outcomes for Looked After Children in external provision.
* Any other duties reasonably requested by management.
* Carry out all accountabilities in compliance with the Council’s Policies and Procedures.
Skills/Experience:
* Knowledge of the range of complex needs of Looked After Children and an understanding of the most appropriate interventions to meet those needs.
* Excellent organisational skills, including the ability to manage competing demands, respond to emergency situations and manage your workload effectively.
* Experience in partnership working with statutory sector partners.
* Experience in contract monitoring and performance management.
* Experience of market management and working with external providers.
* Experience within a statutory children’s setting
* Knowledge and experience of systems for meaningful engagement with young people in planning, delivering and reviewing services.
Requirements
• Knowledge of the range of complex needs of Looked After Children and an understanding of the most appropriate interventions to meet those needs. • Excellent organisational skills including the ability to manage competing demands, respond to emergency situations and manage your workload effectively. • Experience in partnership working with statutory sector partners. • Experience in contract monitoring and performance management. • Experience of market management and working with external providers. • Experience within a statutory children’s setting • Knowledge and experience of systems for meaningful engagement with young people in planning, delivering and reviewing services.