Team Manager - Edge of Care

Here at Middlesbrough, we are committed to working with families to build on their strengths to overcome any challenges they are facing. We know that for most children they achieve more and reach their potential when living with their families, within their communities and around their friends.

We also know that for some this can be very challenging as children and young people face adversity. That is why we are very excited to be expanding our offer in Children’s Services and launching a brand new service aimed at targeted and intensive support to those families who need it to stay connected, together and strengthen their relationships. We will take a whole family approach. Not only addressing risk of harm outside of the home, but also the impact of long standing neglect on these young people and their siblings.

Our new service (yet to be named) will be staffed with five social workers and a team manager who will engage with a small number of families with an approach supported by our partners in SHiFT to:

1. Work with families and their extended network to identify aims and goals to overcome challenges that are threatening their relationships.
2. Engage young people to re-focus their goals and aspirations, to re-connect with education and training, positive activities that interest them, diverting them from the impact of any external risk and influences that are causing concern.
3. Recognise that some families, for some time, have experienced adversity and trauma, and to work with the whole family together, to recover from the impact of this and raise their resilience for their futures as a family. We will take a practical and therapeutic approach to this, problem solving whilst reducing the risk of cyclical patterns of behaviours that harm them.
4. Complete assessment work of a family’s needs, acknowledging that for some young people that may be care, and ensuring that if they do require care, we are clear on the home they require, the intervention they need to make this as positive as possible in a way that maintains relationships and continues to aspire to reunify families in the future.
5. Engage with our partners, statutory and voluntary, to utilise existing services and offers that families can access within their community.

We therefore are inviting applications from experienced Team Managers and Social Workers who are committed to tenacious and creative practice to develop and implement the service. The service will be responsive also, supporting families at times they need it and so this will at times involve evening and weekend work.

New staff joining Middlesbrough can expect a warm welcome from the team, directors and Chief Executive as well as a workplace buddy and full induction process. At Middlesbrough, we truly live our values and incorporate them into everything we do. We are passionate about improving the lives of our residents, focused on achieving best outcomes and creative in the way we work with customers, ensuring they get the best support available.

What we offer:

1. In support of recruiting talented social workers, we offer a 15% market supplement.
2. 27 days annual leave per year rising to 32 with 5 year’s service. Ability to purchase up to 10 days additional leave.
3. Flexible working arrangements including blended working with some working from home available alongside working within the office.
4. Free car parking in the town centre for eligible roles.
5. Generous Pension Scheme through the LGPS with ability to pay extra and plan for retirement.
6. Access to several employee benefits including salary sacrifice Car Lease Scheme, employee assistance programme, discounts at high street and online retailers, tax free childcare, staff lottery and more.

For further details or for an informal discussion please contact Lucy Cook at Lucy_cook@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Please note this vacancy is fixed term for 18 months.

The above post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.