Head of Children’s Social Care and Safeguarding

Reference No: 1122
Salary: £71,809 - £79,370p.a. plus relocation package

An Enhanced CRB disclosure will be required for the successful candidate

Core Accountabilities

The safeguarding of children and young people in Portsmouth on behalf of the city council in the context of the Children’s Trust and in response to the requirements of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

The improvement of all Portsmouth’s children and young people’s life chances – across all 5 of the outcomes of the Every Child Matters agenda in collaboration with other Portsmouth City Council heads of service and partners across the Children’s Trust.

The Service

The ongoing management and development, of an effective and efficient Children and Families’ Social Care Service.

What is the Job?

Working with 4 Senior Managers and with a total staff of 280, you will lead and manage the service to achieve its goals and targets to ensure that Children and Families’ Social Care meets the needs of its 1,200 service users to:

Plan and develop service delivery to contribute to the Council’s corporate priorities and to the priorities of the Children and Young People’s Plan.
Work with partner agencies to develop and implement joint approaches to meeting the needs of vulnerable children in the city.
Promote continuous improvement and value for money within the service.
Act as the lead commissioner for social care provision to children and young people and their families in collaboration with the commissioning resources of the Council.
Ensure performance management is embedded in the service.
Promote equality of opportunity in relation to all the council’s functions and services.
Advise and support councillors, in particular via the cabinet, committees and members forums.

What we are looking for

Someone who:

Is an inspirational leader who combines vision and realism.
Has a professional Social Work qualification and is a member of the General Social Care Council.
Has an understanding of the Statutory frameworks that cover the work.
Has a record of achievement managing children’s services at a senior level for a minimum of 5 years.
Builds relationships and inspires trust and confidence in staff and managers whilst fully appreciating service needs across the authority.
Has an ability to engage with other universal, targeted and specialist agencies, including statutory partners and the third sector, jointly to plan and deliver services.
Manages resources (people, finance and IT) of the Children and Families Social Care Service to ensure front-line strategic and business planning objectives are achieved.
Demonstrates that effective negotiation and communication will be a key driver for their work .
Offers a blend of excellent project management and change management allowing the staff and service to adapt to continually offer excellent service.
Is a motivator, who can invigorate members, senior staff, stakeholders and partners to aspire to the solutions that are best for Portsmouth City Council and our service users.

How can you apply?

There is NO application form however, on one side of A4 paper, please identify what you would see as the key issues involved in safeguarding in a small unitary local authority. We will shortlist for interview/assessment based on the information you provide us, so:

Please send us your details including:

The post you are applying for
Where you saw this position advertised
How we can contact you during normal working hours (telephone number and email address)
Why you are the right person for this job – remember to include all relevant information and examples that demonstrate you are the person we are looking for as described above. This should include descriptive examples from your work/personal experience, which clearly illustrate what you did and the effect it had. If you are submitting a C.V. please ensure it is tailored to meet this requirement.
Your full work history, explaining any gaps. Include employers name, address, dates from and to and reasons for leaving
Details for us to obtain two references. If you are currently working we will need a reference from your current employer and previous employer. If you are not currently working, we will need references from your two most recent employers.
Completed Ethnic Monitoring Form
Below you will find a statement of Relationship. Please ensure you include the relevant part in your application.

Part 1 I certify to the best of my knowledge and belief, I am not related to, or in a relationship with, any Councillor or employee of Portsmouth City Council.
Or
Part 2 I declare that I am related to, or in a relationship with, the following Councillor or employee of Portsmouth City Council.
Name ………………… Position …………… Relationship ……………

Closing Date: 26th June 2009
Two day interview process on 13th and 14th July 2009

Email to dee.hewitt@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Post to Dee Hewitt, Recruitment, Ports mouth City Council, 3rd Floor, Core 1, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2QA.

For an informal discussion regarding the role and the Service please contact either Ian Sandbrook, Interim Director of Children’s Services, on 023 9284 1202 or Margo McIntosh, Interim Head of Children and Families Social Care, on 023 9284 1154.

The information you provide will be used for the recruitment of this post only and will be stored for 12 months