Assistant Team Manager

Are you a Social Worker who puts children and their families at the forefront of everything you do? Are you committed to the highest standard of service delivery?

Do you want to be part of an innovative service and inclusive management team who constantly strives to make a difference?

Are you ready to take the first step into a management role?

If so, West Berkshire Council may have the management position you’ve been waiting for.

What makes a great social worker is their ability to develop and maintain high quality relationships with children and their families. In order to do this effectively, they have to be given the right support and guidance and a working environment where they can flourish. This is where you come in.

We are looking for an exceptional professional who will embrace the opportunity to learn and develop whilst supporting the Team Managers in providing operational management to our Contact, Advice & Assessment Service (CAAS) and M.A.S.H (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub).

This role is predominantly based within in the Triage & MASH part of the CAAS team but at times it may be necessary to provide support across the CAAS Service.

Your main role will be to support the Team Manager responsible for the MASH, and will include oversight of supervisees, chairing multi agency meetings and group case supervision sessions, providing advice and guidance on individual cases and financial resources and risk assessment. You will also be given the opportunity to deputise for the Team Manager.

We cannot overstate the importance of continuing to deliver our high quality and effective service that meets relevant legislation, regulations and standards. As a service we take pride in holding ourselves to strict good practice guidelines and agreed performance targets. To ensure we target our efforts where they are needed we ‘work with’ our children and families, extended family members and partner agencies to ensure the best outcomes possible.

We have introduced the Family Safeguarding Model into all aspects of our service and you will be provided the opportunity to be trained in Motivational Interviewing and to work closely with partner agencies utilising a strengths based approaches in a framework of relationship based practice.

About you

To be successful in this crucial role, you will be a highly skilled, experienced and motivated Social Worker. You will have the gravitas and influence to support and inspire your team and others to meet our high professional standards. Enabling positive change in the lives of our most vulnerable is no easy feat, so you must be committed to introducing effective working practices to meet the changing needs of children and young people. You’ll also have an excellent knowledge of SW legislation and a strong commitment to safeguarding children.

Some management experience or experience as a Practice Educator would be beneficial but it’s not essential for the right candidate. We are committed to supporting talented social workers develop and take their first step into management. However, it is essential that you hold a current Social Work England registration, and a full driving license.

Passionate, committed, forward thinking, innovative individuals please apply as you will be joining a service with like-minded people who have played a vital part in shaping the way in which we work.

About Us

At West Berkshire council, we recognise that managing and working in a frontline team is demanding. To be effective, teams need achievable caseloads, good supervision and a real break at times. This is why we invest in our frontline staff with a unique benefits package and a serious commitment to career development.

We offer a learning environment that will support you to advance your career. As an organisation we are committed to providing our staff with the opportunities they need to develop and progress at all stages of their career. At West Berkshire we offer a comprehensive range of training opportunities and professional development through professional supervision and mentoring with access to a training programme to grow and enhance your skills.

In addition, you will receive:

• A generous and recurring Sabbatical and Retention Bonus (Eight weeks paid Sabbatical and a retention bonus of £15,000 after your first three years of service and subsequently every three years that you continue your employment with our service)
• A period of Induction
• Generous annual leave in addition to Bank Holidays
• Access to Car Loan Scheme
• Essential Car User Status
• A range of flexible working options
• Access to a generous pension scheme
• A range of discounts offered to staff by local shops, café’s and health clubs
• Generous relocation package (up to £8,000)

to For an informal discussion about the role please contact Luciana Costi Team Manager CAAS (Triage) or Karen Atalla, Service Manager (CAAS) on 01635 503190.

You can hear more about how we work at West Berkshire at https://info.westberks.gov.uk/cfsrecruitment

We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This post is working in regulated activity. If you are successful we will undertake additional recruitment checks which will include a check to see if you have had any criminal convictions, a check of police information and we will check the barred list(s). It is a criminal offence for a barred individual to apply for a job in regulated activity.

As this post involves working with children, vulnerable adults or dealing with sensitive information, written references will be taken up and made available to interviewers before the final selection stage; even if you indicate otherwise.

Do you think you have what it takes to join our team and contribute to improving outcomes for children? Apply today.

Please complete an online application form.

Where possible please use Google Chrome as your preferred internet browser to complete your online application form. This system no longer supports the use of Internet Explorer as a browser which will cause issues when trying to submit your application.

This role requires the incumbent to have a car available at work to undertake his/her duties as they will be expected to undertake at least 1500 business miles per year. Essential Car User status attracts a lump sum allowance paid on a monthly basis as well as a free car parking space if he/she works at one of the Council’s corporate buildings.

This role has been identified as public facing in accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2017; the requirement to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English applies.

All successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks.

This privacy notice applies to job applicants applying for vacancies with West Berkshire Council https://info.westberks.gov.uk/pnapplications