Service Manager - Quality Assurance & Practice Learning

At Sandwell Children’s Trust, we strive for excellence to improve the lives of children. Our ‘Sandwell Deal’, brings together our new improved offering that makes Sandwell Children’s Trust a great place to work; it also sets out our expectations of you as a member of staff.

What we can offer you:

• Generous annual leave of up to 31 days, plus 5 additional days for long service recognition.
• Your birthday off paid in addition to annual leave entitlement and 8 Bank Holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas.
• You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme with employer contributions of 21.6%.
• We recognise individual loyalty with service awards from 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years onwards.
• Flexible working patterns that suit you and all of our roles have well-defined career progression.
• We provide competitive expenses for both mileage (55p per mile) and subsistence, plus access to a comprehensive employee benefits scheme.

Hybrid Working

Hours - 37 per week

Band J (£58,327 - £61,853 per annum), dependent on experience plus a relocation allowance of up to £6,500 and excellent benefits.

We are proud to create an environment where our employees are nurtured, caseloads are manageable and continuous professional development is encouraged. With a culture of collaborative working and the child at the heart of everything we do, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the Trust.

Sandwell Children’s Trust has a vacancy for a Service Manager for Quality Assurance & Practice Learning on a permanent basis.

About the role:

The Quality Assurance & Practice Learning Service Manager has a central role in overseeing the Social Work Academy and strategic Quality Assurance for the Trust. The role offers a unique opportunity to drive significant impact within Sandwell Children’s Trust and make a difference to the quality of services delivered to our children and families.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring the highest standards of quality of practice in our service delivery, and will need an extensive background in children’s social work; with a strong grasp of statutory responsibilities and a strategic, forward-thinking approach to performance management and quality assurance. The postholder will serve as the custodian of our newly revised Quality Assurance Framework, with full oversight and responsibility for its implementation and ongoing operation, as well as our successful ‘growing our own’ Social Work Academy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead innovation & Quality Assurance: Spearhead innovative approaches and best practices to enhance the quality of children’s services. Ensure that compliance, regulatory standards, and inspection readiness are always top priorities.
• Build partnerships: Collaborate closely with various stakeholders within and outside the council, including social care teams, external agencies, and regulatory bodies, to strengthen the quality assurance and performance functions.
• Operational oversight: Directly manage our Trust’s Social Work Academy and provide guidance to ensure the effectiveness and professional growth of the service.
• Performance improvement: Identify and act on opportunities for performance enhancement, focusing on measurable outcomes and fostering an environment of continuous improvement.
• Service champion: Act as a visible leader within the council, representing and advocating for the Trust at all levels. Ensure clear communication and alignment with the Trust’s strategic Transformation plans and priorities.

About you:

• You will be Social Work qualified and registered with Social Work England.
• Expert experience, knowledge and skills in children’s services: In-depth knowledge of early intervention, child in need, child protection and safeguarding legislation, statutory guidelines, and best practices in children’s services.
• Analytical skills: Ability to assess end-to-end service delivery, identify areas for improvement, and implement solutions that drive positive outcomes for children and families.
• Have experience/knowledge in quality assurance methodologies and experience of external scrutiny such as Ofsted and Peer reviews.
• Able to demonstrate an understanding of workforce development and pre and post qualification programmes for social work.
• Strong communication and collaboration Skills: Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills. Ability to work collaboratively with various internal departments and external partners.

This role is ideal for an innovative proactive leader who is dedicated to continuous service improvement and can inspire teams to uphold the highest standards of practice. If you're passionate about making a tangible difference in children’s services and are ready to embrace this leadership challenge, this role could be an excellent fit.

For an informal discussion please contact Carol Singleton, Head of Practice and SW Innovation & Principal Social Worker via email carol_singleton@sandwellchildrenstrust.org.

Shortlisting – Tuesday 19^th November 2024

Interviews to be held – w/c 25^th November 2024

Sandwell Children's Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. An Enhanced DBS is required for this position and registration with Social Work England.

Please click on the link below to complete an application form and view The Sandwell Deal:

https://sandwelldeal.co.uk/apply/

* Terms and conditions apply for the relocation allowance