Job Description

We are looking to recruit a Service manager - Safeguarding within Northamptonshire County Council.

Responsibilities include:

• To lead a group of teams, developing a service plan for the Portfolio, and leading the production of team plans, in accordance with Trust objectives. Systematically reviewing progress against these plans to ensure a consistently high standard of service which is in accordance with Trust objectives
• To manage, allocate and monitor budgets and contracts with providers in accordance with the Trust Constitution, financial regulations and relevant codes of practice, ensuring that services provided are based on principles of best value utilising a full range of potential providers
• To take a lead role in developing effective partnership arrangements with partner organisations exploring and developing opportunities for the integration of services. This could be as directed through the LSCBN or CYPPB frameworks
• To take a strategic role in ensuring the Trust safeguarding and other social care services respond to and meet all current and emerging local and national policy
• To ensure the agreed safeguarding children's arrangements work effectively for all children and families within the portfolio and that staff receive and deliver training SM ACCESSIBLE JD 15/12/2021
• To recruit, select, lead and motivate staff, appraise their work, effectively manage poor performance and ensure the preparation of staff development plans and workforce plans that will contribute to achieving a high standard of team performance.
• To introduce and sustain a performance culture in the post holder's area of responsibility, taking account of national and local requirements and taking specific responsibility for performance targets for agreed indicators and effective complaints management
• Proactively contribute to the work of the Safeguarding Board by ensuring active management participation at task and finish groups, panels and Safeguarding Board Sub Committees
• To be responsible for managing change in response to the Government's Agenda for Social Care. This will involve ensuring the service is fit for purpose, and is supportive of a seamless provision of services to children
• To ensure delivery of a self-improving service through robust and effective audit activity that will embed 'lessons learnt' across the portfolio
• To provide direct advice to Councillors, Committees of the Council and Boards on all aspects of the work of the Trust that are the responsibility of the post holder, including in particular development of policy and practice in light of the changing statutory framework
• To ensure the views, feelings and wishes of children, young people and their parents /carers are ascertained and used to appropriately inform the development and performance of services and are at the heart of service design and delivery
• To participate in the on call duty rota
• To demonstrate awareness/understanding of equal opportunities and other people's behaviour, physical, social and welfare needs, promoting equality issues in every aspect of work with staff and users and to ensure that discriminatory practices are challenged
• To ensure that access to services is promoted through the preparation and maintenance of information about services available, eligibility criteria, referral and assessment processes
• Ensure that reasonable care is taken at all times for the health, safety and welfare of yourself and other persons, and to comply with the policies and procedures relating to health and safety within the department
• Carry out any other duties which fall within the broad spirit, scope and purpose of this job description and which are commensurate with the grade of the post This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the post holder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post holder.

Experience preferred:

• Post qualifying experience as a Service Manager

The Team:

• Well-structured organised team, growing their social worker staffing levels.

Minimum Requirements:

• SWE Registration
• 5 year post qualifying experience within UK Social Care industry
• Managerial experience
• Enhanced DBS/CRB (we can obtain for you)
• Eligibility to work in the UK

To discuss this Service Manager role or similar vacancies we have available in Northamptonshire please contact Faye Whitehead on (phone number removed) or email to