Social Work Practice Manager - Fostering Team
Sanctuary Personnel
- Northampton
- £46,164 per year
- Permanent
- Full-time
Location: Northampton
Type: Permanent
Working Arrangements: Flexible working arrangements
Salary: £46,164 - £48,253 per annumOverall Purpose of Role:Sanctuary Personnel are currently seeking a Practice Manager to join our client's team, providing essential social work services to young people and families in need. As a Practice Manager, your primary responsibility will be to ensure the welfare of children and young people, safeguarding them in accordance with legal and statutory obligations. Additionally, you will play a pivotal role in mentoring and supervising team members to uphold professional standards set by regulatory bodies.Key Responsibilities:
- Hold or undertake the Practice Teacher / Enabling Others award to facilitate skill development and support the delivery of responsibilities.
- Organise and delegate the workload of social workers under the direction of the team manager, providing monitoring, professional development, and supervision.
- Assist in maintaining records of allocation and ensuring high service standards.
- Enhance the quality of casework through case file audits, implementation of audit feedback into practice, and formal observations of supervised individuals.
- Deliver professional leadership within the service team, ensuring adherence to legislation and maintaining excellent standards of practice and service delivery.
- Assist the Team Manager in team member induction and supervision, integrating equal opportunities and health and safety policies into daily operations.
- Develop effective partnerships with other agencies and services, contributing to positive outcomes for service users.
- Contribute to training, standards development, case review, and service planning. Assist in managing complaints, representations, and appeals in line with protocols.
- Provide accurate information to the Team Manager and assist in establishing and maintaining information systems for best practice, performance evaluation, and budget management.
- Demonstrate awareness and understanding of equal opportunities and diverse needs while ensuring health, safety, and welfare standards are met at all times.
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding policies and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
- Degree in Social Work or equivalent certification.
- Social Work England registration.
- Certificate in Mentoring.
- Practice Teacher Award/Enabling Others or willingness to undertake.
- Additional post-qualification awards or recognition as appropriate.
- Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service clearance required.
- Minimum 2-3 years post-qualification experience in relevant disciplines.
- Experience in staff mentoring and supervision.
- Working knowledge of needs assessment and care provision.
- Conflict resolution skills.
- Proficiency in assessment processes, child protection, care planning, and court procedures.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Organisational and IT proficiency.
- Ability to travel and represent the department effectively.
- Effective negotiation and prioritisation skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative.
- Enhanced Child/Adult Bar
- Generous Annual Leave: All employees enjoy 28 days of annual leave per year, pro rata for part-time employees, in addition to bank holidays. This increases to 33 days after 5 years of continuous service.
- Annual Leave Purchase Scheme: Take advantage of our scheme to purchase up to 30 additional days of leave per year based on your weekly contractual working hours.
- Pension Options: Join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with contributions based on your salary, supplemented by a significant organisation contribution. Opt for the 50/50 scheme to pay half the normal contribution rate while still building a pension, and make additional voluntary contributions.
- Life Assurance and Ill-health Protection: Receive immediate life assurance cover of 3 times your annual salary from day one, along with protection in case of ill-health.
- Equality and Diversity: We're committed to equality of opportunity for all, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Agile Working Arrangements: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, including part-time, job sharing, term-time only, annualised hours, and flexi-time, subject to service requirements.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Access confidential support for personal or professional issues, including telephone counseling, legal advice, bereavement support, and medical information, available 24/7.
- Access to Work Mental Health Support Service: Receive free, confidential support for mental health issues affecting work performance over a 9-month period.
- Training and Development Opportunities: Access a wide range of training options, including courses, qualifications, online learning, apprenticeships, coaching, mentoring, and bespoke training, tailored to support your role and ongoing professional development.
- Social Work Support: Benefit from specialised training such as Signs of Safety, alongside access to multi-agency training, research resources, and coverage of social work England registration fees.
- Retention Bonuses: Social work roles are eligible for retention bonuses, reflecting our commitment to retaining skilled and dedicated staff.
- Continuous Improvement: We're dedicated to building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce, promoting innovation and creativity while prioritising the well-being of children, young people, and families.