Job summary
Grade:M
Salary:From £45,718 to £49,764per annum pro rata
Hours: Part time
Contract Type: Permanent
Location:Selby Area -The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home
Here at North Yorkshire Council, we are extremely proud of the work our Childrens Services do; their hard work has been recently recognised by Ofsted in our 2023 review, rating us as Outstanding across all areas.
We are now pleased to be offering the opportunity to join our highly acclaimed service and help us continue to offer an excellent provision.
Main duties of the job
One of the primary aspects of the role of the Practice Supervisor is to supervise Social Workers on a day to day basis to ensure the delivery of an effective social work service to children and their families in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures.
Another significant part of the role is to manage risk and to support Social Workers in managing risk, developing practice, as well as leading and mentoring colleagues in reaching appropriate decisions. Your key tasks will also include quality assurance and performance management, care planning, as well as chairing multi agency meetings and attending child protection conferences.
You will be suitably qualified (DIPSW/CQSW/Masters/Degree in Social work) and preferably have supervisory or management experience as well as being able to evidence skills and knowledge in line with the job specification. You will have a passion for working with young people and creating brighter futures for them and their families and contribute to the on-going development of our high standards of practice.
About us
An exciting position has arisen for an enthusiastic, well-motivated Practice Supervisor to join the Selby Team for a permanent, part time post. You will be working in a team that is constantly trying to improve outcomes for safeguarding children and supporting their families. The team is committed to work with children and their families/carers, using a range of solution focussed, strength-based relationship practice models, including Signs of Safety, Systemic theory and the Family Finding approach. We are looking for an individual who can help us continue to offer a unique service and truly make a difference to the young people of our county.
In return for your hard work and dedication to our service, you can expect to receive various employee benefits including flexible working hours including the ability to work from home, - generous leave entitlement and access to our Everybody Benefits package which includes numerous high-street retail discounts. We are also committed to providing ongoing support in what we appreciate can be a rewarding yet challenging role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job context
Children and Families provide services which follow fromspecific Legislation, including the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004and 2014 as well as other Government guidance and policy. We are committed toproviding good quality services to support children young people and theirfamilies. The practice supervisor will be based in social work teams acrosssafeguarding, looked after children and fostering teams in order to safeguardand promote the welfare children and young people that you are responsible forand come into contact with.
This post requires an ability to fulfil all spoken aspectsof the role with confidence through the medium of English.
Enhanced DBS check required.
Job Purpose: The core focus of this job is to ensure thesafe and effective delivery of services to Children and Families in accordancewith Children and Families Policies and Procedures. The post holder will dothis by effective management of social work practice through the use of socialwork supervision within their supervision group.
Operational management:
To supervise Social Workers on a day to day basis to ensurethe delivery of an effective social work service to children and their familiesin accordance with the relevant policies and procedures
Modelling and facilitating reflective practice
To promote professional development and quality evidencebased practice through supervision and contributing to the annual appraisal ofteam members
To ensure all assessments undertaken by the Team are basedon clear accurate information and analysis including direct involvement insome, more complex assessments
To ensure all interventions are supported by clear planswhich ensure the protection and development of the child or young person
To manage risk and support social workers in managingrisk Leading and mentoring colleagues inreaching appropriate decisions
To assist the team manager to be able to make safe evidencebased decisions relating to improving outcomes for children and families
Provide leadership, advice and support to other professionalstaff in relation to complex cases and to be an active practice leader drivingSigns Of Safety across social work practice
Ensure professional decisions are made according to thehighest standards, using an evidence base and stand up to scrutiny
Provide appropriate challenge to the decisions of otherstaff within the team
Undertake the allocation of workload as agreed with the TeamManager, monitor team and individual performance and work with the team managerto resolve workload issues as they arise
Resource management:
To manage risk within Social Workers caseloads and supportsocial workers in managing risk Leadingand mentoring colleagues in reaching appropriate decisions
To prioritise work ensuring the safeguarding of children andyoung people is paramount
To keep individual knowledge base up to date and undertaketraining as required
To assist the Team Manager to be able to make safe evidencebased decisions relating to improving outcomes for children and familiesthrough the effective use of supervision
To monitor and audit outcomes of assessments and plans
Undertake professional supervision of staff as well ascontributing to the staff appraisal process
Partnerships:
To Chair multi agency and strategy meetings ensuring clearmeasurable outcomes and monitoring arrangements are agreed and recorded
To work cooperatively with other agencies to improve multiagency working and response to referrals and contacts
To work collaboratively with colleagues in developingservices and social work practice
Strive for effective communication and teamwork with otherpractitioners and professionals. Provide professional advice and guidance asrequired
Liaise with statutory and voluntary agencies and work withinthe broad range of services for children and families
Understand and promote your role in sustaining goodrelationships across agencies
Strategic management:
To work with partners to ensure high quality servicedelivery to vulnerable children and their families
To assist managers in the overall strategic development andimplementation of Childrens Services and lead on specific projects as required
Support the Team Manager to develop and implement policiesand procedures at team level
Act as a recognised expert within their specialist field.Contribute to the development of practice and policy
Contribute to the annual team action plan process and to service planning including theidentification and achievement of team objectives
Communications:
To ensure families are involved and informed at all stagesof assessment and intervention (where compatible to the childs safety)
To ensure significant issues and barriers to servicedelivery are reported promptly to senior management
To monitor compliance to policy, procedures and performancetargets relevant to the service areas
To develop mechanisms which monitor service user feedback onthe quality of services
Establish rapport and respectful trusting relationships withchildren, young people and their families
Understand the role and value of families and carers aspartners in supporting their children to achieve positive outcomes
Ensure policies, procedures, and practice standards arereadily available to practice staff
Use systems such as LCS effectively to ensure information isrecorded about cases, contacts and individuals
Systems and information:
Encourage children and young people to share information
Ensure service information is available to services users,their families and the general public as appropriate
Understand the importance of sharing information, how it canhelp and the dangers of not doing so
Use systems and information as appropriate to quality assurethe work of other professional and support staff
Safeguarding:
To be committed to safeguarding and promote the welfareof Children, young people and adults,raising concerns as appropriate
Involve children and young people when taking action thataffects them
Understand systems that are there to protect children andyour role in their effectiveness
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Fully qualified, accredited social work professional status (CQSW, DipSW, CSS, PQCCA)
2. Current registration with General Social Care Council
3. Supervision for Managers module
4. Evidence of further progress in PQ development
5. Other Requirements
6. Satisfy conditions of service regarding:
7. Statutory questions
8. Acceptable attendance record
9. Enhanced DBS clearance
10. Ability to travel for work purposes.
11. Availability to work as necessary outside office hours
Occupational Skills
Essential
12. Ability to manage, supervise and support a diverse range of staff with all aspects of children and families work, including children in need, looked after children and child protection
13. Developed practice skills for this client group, including the ability to engage & communicate with young people & families, and with a range of other stakeholders
14. The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
15. Ability to prepare written assessments, reports and service plans to a high professional standard
16. Ability to organise and prioritise workloads effectively, and to meet necessary timescales
17. Ability to assist the team manager to set targets, manage performance, and appraise staff
18. Ability to monitor services and practices to ensure agreed standards are maintained and intervene constructively where necessary, Support, challenge and motivate staff
19. Competent in word processing, creating & manipulating spreadsheets, data inputting, accessing information from databases and electronic communication.
20. Excellent skills with electronic case recording systems, such as LCS
Experience
Essential
21. Knowledge and experience of good practice standards in relation to children & families at a local level
22. Knowledge of the legal framework for working with children & families
23. Substantial post qualifying experience within a relevant professional field
24. Substantial case management experience of cases with complex, professional and ethical issues including child protection, court proceedings, case conferences and other formal processes
25. Experience of multi-disciplinary working with children in need, looked after children and child protection
26. Experience of supervising NQSWs