One Adoption West Yorkshire has an exciting opportunity to join the Regional Adoption Agency as a Team Manager in the Family Finding Service. We are seeking to appoint a part-time Team Manager (18.5 hours). The post will have a primary focus on working with Leeds Children’s Social Care and will involve some office-based working and some working from home. You must have a social work qualification and have current registration with Social Work England.
About you
As a Team Manager, you will bring to the role:
* An ability to inspire a team of Social Workers providing them with high quality supervision and support.
* Relevant knowledge and skills in relation to working in Children’s Services.
* Motivation to improve adoption performance and outcomes for children and families.
* An ability to engage with partners and stakeholders including Local Authorities and work as part of a wider team management group.
About the role
In the role of Family Finding Team Manager you will be responsible for leading, motivating and supporting a team of family finding social workers to deliver an excellent service for the children of West Yorkshire who have an adoption plan. In this role you will be responsible for performance, innovation and quality assurance of the work undertaken by the adoption service.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
* a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
* membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
* flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
* a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
* a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact: Nicola Channon (Service Delivery Manager Family Finding) Call 01133781175 or email nicola.channon@oneadoptionwy.leeds.gov.uk (available 18th, 19th & 20th March)
Interviews will take place on Monday 28th April 2025.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is recognised in Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index 2024. We are also an Age-friendly Employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.
Job Description
Job purpose
The role of the Team Manager is to lead, motivate and direct a discrete team of professional social work staff to deliver a high standard of social work, which places the child and the adopters at the centre and ensure that statutory duties and responsibilities of the Local Authority are being met. To be the key contact and advisor on adoption matters including recruitment, family finding and adoption support at a local authority level.
Responsibilities
* Directing, managing and motivating a service based adoption team, including managing caseload levels through appropriately allocated, planned and supervised work which will be critically evaluated and reviewed, monitoring performance within statutory timescales ensuring regulatory compliance and high quality service delivery outcomes.
* Assist in the development and promotion of services and practice improvements which are designed to mitigate risk and provide qualitative improvement to the outcomes for children.
* Act as an exemplar in knowledge of adoption and adoption support, social care legal and guidance requirements, policy, procedures and practice standards.
* Ensure that formal processes, for example, adopter recruitment and assessment, adoption support assessments, Fostering and Adoption panels, and Permanence/Finance panel processes are instigated and managed appropriately in line with the best interests of the child.
* Take a lead on implementing the Adoption Agencies and Support Regulations and Guidance and any subsequent legal version updates to ensure a child friendly and child focused approach.
* Where appropriate, ensure services meet regulatory requirements.
* Act as the key contact and provide advice to local professionals, families, elected members and other agencies on adoption and adoption support.
* Lead on liaison with Social work colleagues in agreeing and applying procedures for action where children may be at risk.
* Provide regular supervision and appraisal to staff members maintaining supervision and appraisal records using the appropriate documentation and associated guidance, appropriate support and mentoring to less experienced social workers ensuring they have a clear understanding of the expectations of the role and receive appropriate development opportunities.
* Actively promote the effective use of resources and to manage appropriate financial resources within available budgets within Council Financial Procedures and Standing Orders.
* Instigate and manage quality assurance activity in accordance with practice standards including, for example Case File Audits and Adopters’ experiences of adoption support service provision in Leeds; ensure that improvements and corrective actions are highlighted and implemented in a timely manner.
* Ensure all case recording meets practice standard guidance in respect of timeliness and quality.
* Promote and instigate appropriate use of information technology, processes and systems in service delivery, maintaining records and management information to ensure efficient and effective service delivery including planning and control.
* Manage and deal with complaints in the most efficient and effective manner.
* Resolve complex and extremely challenging situations through conflict resolution, using counselling and negotiating skills and expertise.
* Proactively manage performance of the team across a range of agreed indicators, prepare appropriate reports and undertake management actions to improve performance as necessary.
* Deal with all staff management issues promptly including recruitment & selection, probation of new employees, attendance management, staff supervision, performance, grievance or disciplinary issues.
* Undertake quality assurance of all reports to formal panels e.g. Adoption Panels, Permanence/Finance panels, SLT.
* Contribute to developing and improving Children’s Services using a creative and innovative approach to service/partnership development and delivery, taking a lead where required.
* Develop and produce team plans on an annual basis to ensure delivery of a professional child friendly and child focussed service which delivers in line with CYPSC Service plans and Service Improvement Plans and to take a lead on Service Development where appropriate.
* Ensure all Team Plans include clear expectations for the year and set achievable targets which are monitored and reviewed at regular intervals.
* Be a visible member of an integrated management team as appropriate and contribute to departmental, multi-agency Regional and National working groups as required.
* Actively promote and deliver partnership working through integrated practice for effective service delivery, ensuring compliance with joint protocols and provide specialist advice as appropriate to partner agencies and integrated services.
* Liaise and negotiate with other professional groups and agencies involved with children and young people and their families and represent Children’s Services at key professional forums.
* Undertake investigations under the disciplinary procedures of the Council as and when appropriate.
* Be flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required, commensurate to grade.
* Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
* Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion and development programmes.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
* Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days and events as requested.
* Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures such as child protection, equality, diversity and inclusion, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all by working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equality and diversity of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equality and diversity, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
* Maintain your own Social Work England Registration and continual, professional development (CPD) requirements.
* The postholder is expected to work within the parameters of the council’s flexibility protocol.
* The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
Qualifications: The post requires an appropriate professional qualification (DipSW, Degree, CQSW or equivalent). You should be registered with Social Work England upon commencement of the post and maintain registration.
Essential requirements: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate.
* Ability to demonstrate leadership qualities including the ability to model a reflective practice approach which facilitates a team culture of evidence based practice.
* Ability to demonstrate the ability to motivate and inspire team members to consistently raise standards in practice.
* Ability to empower self and others, including service users, ensuring high ethical standards in practice.
* Ability to demonstrate a sound theoretical understanding and the ability to critically apply theory in practice.
* Ability to challenge poor practice and use research to inform high standards of excellence.
* To be able to pass information effectively, accurately and concisely using a variety of formats.
* Ability to manage a budget and have an understanding of how this meets the business needs of the Department.
* Ability to demonstrate skills in risk management including the ability to identify indicators of risk and the preventative actions that will address them.
* Ability to actively promote the change management agenda at team and area level.
* Ability to analyse complex situations and make considered decisions.
* Ability to analyse and understand performance data and statistical information.
* Ability to prepare and present reports on complex issues to a variety of different audiences.
* Able to demonstrate advanced negotiating skills to ensure effective solutions to complex and difficult situations.
* Ability to demonstrate a strategic and structured approach at team and area level and an ability to link the work of the team with the business plan.
* Ability to contribute to the overall development of services for Children.
* Ability to develop constructive working relationships with other Agencies.
* Ability to develop, manage, motivate and lead the Adoption Support team and offer appropriate professional supervision, giving clear and specific guidance on performance based on accountability agreements.
* Ability to manage caseloads and supervise the caseloads of others.
* DipSw or Equivalent.
* Safeguarding good practices including safer recruitment procedures, paramountcy principle, requirements of the Children’s Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 and Adoption Agencies and Adoption Support Regulations 2005, Adoption Minimum Standards and any subsequent legal updates.
* To keep abreast of developments in Social work best practice, professional practice and legislation.
* Providing supervision for staff and/or students.
* Developing inter-agency and multi-disciplinary approaches to issues.
* Management of multi-agency work.
* Developing new approaches to work related issues.
Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics
* Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
* Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
* Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
* Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to date knowledge and skills.
* Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
* Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council.
* Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
* The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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