Team Manager 2531 (Adopt London East)

Posted 9th May, 2024
Location
Havering
Salary/rate
£56,172 – £60,468
Hours
Full-time
Working arrangements
Blended
Contract type
Permanent
Closing date
16th May, 2024
About the role

Adopt London East is a Regional Adoption Agency made up of 4 Local Authorities; the host authority Havering, Barking and Dagenham, Newham and Tower Hamlets.  Adopt London East provide the following functions, recruitment, assessment and support of prospective and Adoptive parents, Family finding for all children with a plan of Adoption and adoption support provided to adoptive families, birth relatives and children and young people.  Adopt London East work closely with our partner boroughs particularly in the area of permanency planning and family finding. We have a strong emphasis upon building strong cross working between the Adopt London East Teams. We want to protect our high standards of social work practice and wherever possible innovate to improve the services we deliver.  Adopt London East work closely with the 3 other Regional Adoption Agencies which make up Adopt London, providing services for 24 London Boroughs. The partnership supports the development of practice across London.  Adopt London work in collaboration the National RAA leaders group in order to identify and implement practice standards.   

Team Managers are integral to our offer. They empower, provide high support and challenge along with motivating our social workers so we can collectively achieve best outcomes for children, young people and their families in Adopt London East. Adopt London East  consists of 3 social work teams, Adoption Recruitment and Assessment Team, Family Finding Team and Adoption Support Team. As the Team Manager for Adoption Recruitment and Assessment you will be responsible for leading Social Workers and Advanced Practitioners in your teams. You will ensure that the team is supported and all interventions being undertaken are planned, purposeful and focussed. Fundamentally making sure that prospective adoptive parents are well prepared and supported to manage the needs of children with plans of adoption.   

We promote a hybrid model of working for our social care staff, with a flexible approach involving working from our town hall campus/hubs. In this role, you are expected to work from our town hall campus when required. In addition, we also encourage a flexible approach to team building opportunities (we love a catch up over a cuppa, breakfast or lunch) which often take place Face to Face in line with our model of practice.

About you

As the Team Managers within Adopt London East you are accountable for the performance of the social workers within your team, and responsible for ensuring regular and consistent supervision with an emphasis on quality practice. You will be supported in the role by an advanced practitioner in your team who can assist with complex cases. The ability to be pro-active and hit the ground running will enable you and your team to provide our service users with a high quality service.

However these are not the only skills and characteristics we are looking for. To be shortlisted for the position you must be able to clearly evidence the following within your application:

  • Substantial (e.g. minimum of 3 years) post qualification experience in a statutory setting preferably within the Adoption Sector. 
  • Experience of managing a multi-disciplinary social work team, to support and embed the strategic planning of the service. 
  • Provide direct oversight and decision-making on highly complex cases within the team, and across the service area as required, such as chairing a range of meetings, oversight of the training of preparation of prospective adopters and to work closely with other Team Managers within Adopt London East to ensure that seamless services are delivered. 
  • Deputise for the Head of Service and other Team managers across the service
  • Recognise diversity, apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles within practice and show a commitment to addressing disproportionality. 

Havering strives to be a diverse and inclusive borough, a place where we can ALL be ourselves. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff, and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of race, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, age, religion etc.

We offer family-friendly, flexible working arrangements, with forums and inclusive facilities to support our staff. 

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact by email on Sarah.Johnson@havering.gov.uk This advert will close at 23:59 on the Thursday 16th May 2024 with short listing taking place on Friday 17 th May 2024. Interviews will take place on Thursday 23rd May 2024, which will take the format of a test/presentation and a panel interview. 

 

About Havering

Havering is an outer London borough like no other. Sitting in Northeast London (Zone 6), we have three Crossrail stations in borough which means we are only 30 minutes from Oxford Street. We are well connected to the hustle and bustle of the city, whilst just a short drive or bus ride from the surrounding Essex countryside and coast, giving our residents the best of both city and rural living. 

It’s no wonder that we have one of the fastest growing and increasingly diverse child populations in the country, who benefit from living in one of the greenest areas in London. We have some amazing parks, 16 of which have green flag award status, and we are served by a rich mix of foundation, community, voluntary aided and academy schools with great Ofsted ratings.

Havering Town Hall, which hosts our main offices, is in the centre of Romford - our largest town and home to a vibrant street market dating back to 1247. Our offices are a 5 minute walk from the main shopping centres which host a range of popular shops, restaurants and gyms.

We are also unique in our political makeup, with Havering Residents’ Association working to make a Havering you want to be part of.

We are dedicated to creating the right conditions to support our social care practitioners to thrive by fostering an environment where you can develop your skills and knowledge alongside like-minded individuals. We value our employees and offer a range of benefits:

  • ·    We are a family-friendly employer and welcome applications for part time roles at 0.5 full time equivalent
  • ·    £4,000 annual market supplement payment for Social Workers, Advanced Practitioners, Team Managers and Service Managers
  • ·    A tailored training programme along with development opportunities through our very own dedicated Social Care Academy and corporate offer of 10 days of learning per year
  • ·    Access to accredited systemic training and in-house practice application workshops
  • ·    A commitment to achieving and maintaining manageable caseloads
  • ·    Generous local government pension scheme and leave entitlement
  • ·    Subsidised parking at various council-owned car parks across the borough
  • ·    Modern workplace equipped with the latest technology
  • ·    A strong corporate health and wellbeing offer, discounted gym membership, employee assistance programme and much more
  • ·    Annual staff recognition schemes (STAR awards and Social Care awards) celebrating and recognising staff commitment and achievement 
  • ·    Access to a range of staff forums including LGBTQI+, B.A.M.E., Faith, Ability, Women’s, and Men’s forums.

If you have any questions about applying, please contact Talent Team: Talent@havering.gov.uk