Practice Manager - MAST

Interim Practice Manager - MAST

Reference no: Calderdale 0009 943A / 1
Pay Rate: £31.88 per hour PAYE
37 hours: Monday – Friday, normal working hours
This opening assignment is for: 3 months
City: HALIFAX
Enhanced DBS disclosure required

You will achieve the best possible positive outcomes for children and young people across the service by modelling, directing and supporting the work of the pod (where applicable) and the team through a collaborative and systemic approach to all work with children, young people and families. Ensure that the priorities of the Council are carried forward. Be accountable for the quality of practice, setting standards and creating the conditions required for successful social work by motivating, nurturing and mentoring staff. Encourage and promote effective relationships and communication between individuals across the service and partner agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Assist the locality team manager in the overall management of the staff and resources within the locality team, with particular emphasis on practice and performance, to ensure the delivery of a high quality service, and to deputise as required.
2. Ensure that a systemic approach where applicable both in terms of practitioners working together on case work and direct work with children and families; ensuring a child focussed service that incorporates the voice of the child.
3. Undertake the prioritisation and allocation of work within the team/pod, ensuring focused and purposeful social work interventions with explicit aims and objectives about desired outcomes.
4. Ensure the direction and motivation of the team/pod by the provision of support and supervision of practitioners as stipulated in the supervision policy.
5. Work with the locality team manager and pod coordinator in ensuring that relevant documentation/administration information, data and finance information is up to date.
6. Be accountable to the locality team manager for all elements of individual cases within the team/pod workload in accordance with policy and procedures and for staff care and development of team/pod members in accordance with policy and procedures.
7. Assist the locality team manager in ensuring the health and safety of staff and individuals, and the safety of equipment and operations within the team/pod, in accordance with the Health & Safety Act.
8. Participate in the recruitment/selection, induction and training of staff including newly qualified social workers in the Assessed and Supported Year in Employment by pod/individual supervision, audits and observed practice.
9. Prepare, attend and chair where applicable a range of meetings and decision making forums on specific cases as required and in consultation with the locality team manager.
10. Hold weekly reflective meetings to ensure oversight of all cases in relation to progress, and the balance between risk and protective factors within the child protection framework is achieved.

Key Requirements:

1. Appropriate social work professional qualification (BSc, BA, MA, DipSW, CQSW, or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience.
2. Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
3. Hold a full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.
4. Knowledge of equality and diversity and how groups or individuals can be disadvantaged or discriminated against.
5. In-depth knowledge of social work with children, young people and families.
6. Wide knowledge of models of intervention, their effectiveness and outcomes.
7. Detailed knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, standards, guidance, policy and procedures.
8. Knowledge and understanding of the key functions of social work supervision, appraisal and performance management.
9. Knowledge and experience of social work supervision including supervision of students and how this can be complemented by mentoring and coaching to professional colleagues.
10. Understanding of the regulatory and inspection framework within which children’s services operate.
11. Child and adolescent development.
12. Substantial and recent post qualifying experience.
13. Managing budgets.
14. Demonstrable communication skills with children and families and a wide range of partners and stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
15. IT skills in relation to email, electronic case recording, performance data, reports writing etc.