Job Description

Job info	Job info details
Job title	Service Manager (Safeguarding)
Strategic team/Directorate	Children's Services
Service	Safeguarding
Business unit	Decisive Multi Agency Child Protection System
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Head of Service Safeguarding
Accountable to (line manager)	Head of Service Safeguarding
Salary grade	M
JE ref	CSERV053a CSERV053b

1. Key purpose of job

Delivering on the council Key Performance Indicators to provide outcomes for children through effective decision making and management of managers. Ensuring children and young people who have suffered or are likely to suffer significant harm are provided with an immediate response and that all Children’s Plans identify assessed risks to children and young people and are effectively managed according to legislation and statutory guidelines, ‘Working Together 2023’ and Southwest Child Protection Procedures. To provide management across the social care system sharing knowledge and experience to deliver timely permanence for all children and young people.
To provide strategic direction and performance management, assisting the Head of Service, across all designated services. Delivering on the strategic values and vision of the council. Strategic responsibility for developing and implementing evidenced based practice taken from research that reflects current good practice and achieves best outcomes for children, young people and families. Promote the continuing professional development of all staff in the service and create a sustainable and effective workforce. Authority to implement decisions for service delivery in line with statutory and legal regulations to ensure good outcomes for children and families.
Providing confident and evidence based leadership, to lead, supervise, appraisal, develop and manage Team Managers / Practice Managers responsible for the delivery of services to children and young people provided by the Local Authority. Decision making in relation to meeting the Council’s and Service areas strategic aims and objectives in accordance with legislative, statutory and procedural requirements. To problem solve and effectively prioritise need and ensure that the most vulnerable children and young people are provided with a consistent, robust and proportionate response.
Management responsibilities including, financial management decision making in line with Torbay financial regulations and ensuring all activities are carried out within delegated budgets. Provide leadership and direction for budget planning within services to ensure value for money within the service. Quality assurance and Performance Management on a daily and weekly basis to address immediate service core activity across a variety of key social care areas of delivery. To understand and promote the core business of the Torbay Safeguarding Children’s Board and deliver its priorities.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

By working with the Head of Service the strategic service objectives and policies for the Council, Torbay Children’s Service and Torbay Children’s Safeguarding Partnership as agreed with the Divisional Director Children’s Safeguarding are planned and delivered effectively through:
- Integration with the overall objectives of both the Council and Central Government, including as measured by key national and local performance indicators.
- Translating into successful operational reality by having the right resources in the right place at the right time.
Partnership and a team around the family approach is promoted, working with other professionals in an integrated way with family members to provide and positive outcomes.
Service users receive a timely, appropriate and individually tailored response that is informed by a holistic assessment that details the decision and actions to be taken and draws on a full range of services.
Quality Assurance, Performance data and feedback from complaints is used to promote and creating a learning environment which prioritises professional development and is rooted in Research in Practice and used to inform business planning.
Drive the development of integrated working within and across teams for the benefit of young people and their families to ensure those who receive support experience this as a seamless process.
Outcomes for children and young people are improved by the effective use of Quality assurance and performance information and data.
The wishes and feelings of all children and young people are obtained and recorded to provide an accurate picture of the child’s lived experience.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
The post holders will be required to deputise for the Head of Service and provide appropriate cover.
Responsible for safeguarding action to protect children and young people at risk of significant harm.
Manage the Child Protection Process and ensure that child protection activity complies with ‘Working Together 2023’ and South West Child Protection procedures.
Accountable for the performance of the teams and drive the delivery of improved outcomes as measured by an agreed set of indicators.
Responsible for the effective leadership and management of a minimum of 4 Team managers / Practice Managers including regular supervision, recruitment, motivation, development, performance management, absence management, resolution of conflict and implementation of change in line with council employment procedures and policies of the managers and their teams.
Provide caseload management and individual practice support to the team managers and to other staff across the service in line with professional standards. Making effective decisions and recommendations, taking person responsibility for any decisions made.
To comply and manage the Quality Assurance and Performance Framework for Children’s Services within the team, including the audit and review of case files to ensure that high professional standards are being met or exceeded, and that best practice complies with legislation and guidance. Take action as necessary to address under performance.
Lead the application of research and best practice evidence via learning and development, individual supervision and team and service meetings.
Be accountable for the performance of the teams and drive the delivery of improved outcomes as measured by an agreed set of indicators. Engender a performance culture within the team on a weekly basis that is inquisitive but is also rigorous in offering challenge so that improvements can be made.
Ensure that the inputting and updating of electronic client records by staff is both appropriate and timely in line with Practice standards.
Make budget decisions so that Financial Regulations are complied with and best value principles adopted.
Sustain and improve the overall reputation of the Council and act in the best interest of the Authority through effective representations regionally and nationally.
Chair multi-agency meetings as required helping determine service delivery.
Act on behalf of the service in providing management representation at court and in statutory process i.e. safeguarding.
Work in partnership across the system and foster positive working relationships with colleagues within social care, corporate services, partner agencies and universal providers.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

Ensure that Financial Regulations are complied with and best value principles adopted.
Responsible for approving and signing off expenses and other claims, e.g., travel allowances, training, for the multi-disciplinary team.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

The post holder will be responsible for the leadership of a Multi-Disciplinary Service and the effective management of Team Managers/ Practice Managers and staff including recruitment, motivation, development, performance management, absence management, resolution of conflict and implementation of change in line with council employment procedures and policy.
The post holder will be required to take the lead in providing regular planned supervision and management oversight in relation to Safeguarding Children issues, reflective practice and the health and wellbeing of the supervisee in relation to the delivery of their role.
The post holder will have the knowledge, skills and experience to provide on-going specialist advice, consultation and recommendations to other professionals regarding children and young people.
Ensure that appropriate national professional standards/competencies are being met and monitored and ensure that team members keep a record of their learning.
Demonstrate leadership competencies, acting with openness, honesty, integrity, instilling a clear sense of direction and purpose, priority and pace. Manage people in an inclusive way to deliver operational objectives.
To be responsible for one of two safeguarding services, with direct line management and supervision of up to 6 staff and overall management responsibility for a multi-disciplinary team of up to 59 staff (see structure chart for details).

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

Dealing with on a regular basis complex situations and distressing information. Working directly with Children, Young people and Families in relation to complex and stressful situations. Normal office environment but can be required to visit external environments for example service users within their own home or young people placed at a distance in residential provision.

7. Physical demands of the post

Normal physical demands.

8. Specific resources used by the post

Normal Resources.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External - Representing the Council at regional meetings with partner agencies and government agencies. Responding to Inspections and the cross examination by individual inspectors. Presenting information in court. Chairing complex safeguarding meetings with other professionals in attendance. Developing and maintaining operationally important relationships with professionals from across the public and voluntary sector.
Internal - Staff at all levels of the Council, including elected members. Colleagues across Children’s Services.

10. Other duties

To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children’s Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
The post is eligible for hybrid working.
As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Service Manager (Safeguarding)
Strategic team/Directorate	Children's Services
Service	Safeguarding
Business unit	Decisive Multi Agency Child Protection System

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

Enhanced IT Skills across a multitude of difference platforms including case management recording systems.
Significant decision-making skills – the ability to analyse information, draw conclusions and effect judgements based on outcomes and risk.
Proven problem-solving skills – the ability to identify causes, make objective and informed judgements that demonstrates emotional resilience and balance.
Proven ability to work effectively to ensure delivery of a team or teams within a children’s social care service to deliver outcomes for children and young people.
Ability to appraise and motivate staff in a way that ensures compliance with policies but also enables individuals to develop. Including the effective use of performance management in enabling staff development and ensure service delivery is achieved.
Proven skills in delivering key performance requirements linked to statutory delivery for a Children’s social care setting.
Ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners across agency boundaries.
Ability to plan, organise and use resources effectively and efficiently.
Excellent communication and presentation skills.
Ability to implement anti-discriminatory practice and styles in all areas of work.
Understanding of effective management practices, particularly as they relate to managing an integrated service and working with partners.
Effective influencing, negotiating and advocacy skills.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

N/A

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

Thorough understanding of current legislation and DfE guidance and developments in services to children young people and families.
Thorough understanding of the professional practice relating to safeguarding and working with complex families including the role of the TSCP and Working Together 2023.
Knowledge and understanding of the full range of activities delivered by the Authority and partners in relation to children, young people and families.
Ability to demonstrate awareness and understanding of equal opportunities.
Awareness of effective management practices including use of effective supervision and performance management.

Desirable knowledge

Knowledge of project management.
Experience of working in a variety of service areas within Children’s Social Care.

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

Significant experience working with children and families in the context of current legislation and government initiatives.
Experience delivering positive outcomes for children and young people.
Experience of managing teams and assuring compliance to policy and procedures.
Experience of working under pressure and making robust evidenced informed decisions.
Significant experience of working with children, young people, parents and carers.
Evidence of having delivered improved outcomes and impact for children and young people.
Understanding and experience of performance monitoring and performance management techniques to drive service improvement.
Experience of managing and monitoring delegated budgets.

Desirable experience and achievements

Experience of commissioning.
Experience of developing and using data in securing service improvement.

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

Social Work Degree.
Evidence continued professional development.
Current Registration with Social Work England.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

Management qualification.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/South West/UK in order to carry out duties.
Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
Ability to accommodate on-call working.
Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.