Head of Home – Registered Manager - Children's

Main Responsibilities and Duties
1.      To supervise managerial and senior residential social work staff, taking responsibility for standards of professional practice and levels of performance and ensuring that good practice is maintained
2.      To work closely with the Head of Service and management team in order to develop the service, promote its work and improve its performance.
3.      To provide management cover at Team Manager level in other parts of the service, if required, in the temporary absence of the post holder.
4.      To represent the service and the council as required at external events requiring residential care expertise as well as taking part in any relevant internal working groups, panels or projects requiring service input.
5.      To manage the care practice of the team in a manner that promotes equality of opportunity and positive outcomes for all children and young people
6.      To participate in, and lead where necessary, both staff recruitment activity and team or service development events
7.      To undertake first stage investigations regarding capability issues.
8.      To undertake delegated parts of management investigations into disciplinary concerns.
9.      To take responsibility for financial management of resources allocated to the team, to monitor budgets and ensure accurate end of year forecasts are provided, reporting variances to the Head of Service as necessary.
10.   To carry out timely and effective staff appraisals, ensuring that developmental issues are addressed and suitable objectives are set and accurately measured
11.   To contribute to the preparation of briefing  papers for staff in respect of new policies or legislation concerning the work of the Children and Families service area in general and residential care in particular
12.   To ensure that agreed policies and procedures are known and understood by staff, and implemented and monitored in practice.
13.   To contribute to the development of policy and practice through membership of working groups, meetings and “lead roles” as required, including on an inter-agency basis and across authorities
14.   To ensure residential workers’ adherence to sickness procedures, timekeeping and related HR procedures, taking first line management action in the event of non-compliance.
15.   To ensure that information and records are maintained to legal and Departmental requirements and are submitted or shared to agreed timescales and that any necessary action is progressed.
16.   To maintain proper management information systems.
17.   To maintain a current and thorough knowledge of the legislation, regulations and Departmental procedures relating to the work of the position and related Children and Families’ Services.
18.   To provide support and guidance to staff in the discharge of their work and in the maintenance and improvements of standards.
19.   To take a lead role in respect of initiatives designed to ensure an appropriate and anti-discriminatory approach to casework with children and families.
20.   To ensure that practices generally take account of the needs of children across a wide range of social, ethnic and ability groups.
21.   To audit case files so as to ensure appropriate compliance with standards and statutory requirements and to monitor the implementation of recommendations.
22.   To work closely with Child Protection in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children at risk of abuse or significant harm and be involved in case practice discussions.
23.   To work with other managers in the identification of staff training and development needs and to participate in staff development activity.
24.   To maintain management information systems, particularly ensuring accuracy, compliance and the meeting of required standards.
25.   To participate in and, where required, lead initiatives concerning user feedback, consultation, service standards and related matters.
26.  To undertake the duties of the post in accordance with the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy, especially ensuring leadership to staff in incorporating equal opportunities into practice issues.
27.  To attend, from time to time, evening meetings and, occasionally, to work unsocial hours.
28.  To exercise responsibility under the Health and Safety at Work Act as laid down within the Departmental and Council procedures.or undertake any other duties that might, from time to time, arise within the overall responsibilities and grading of the post.
To be aware of the Council’s aims, organisational values and behaviours and their impact on this post.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience
Knowledge of current policy and legislation in the service for which you wish to be considered
Ability in financial management sufficient to develop and monitor budgets and forecast year end position
Ability to deliver good quality services based on current best practice and to drive service improvement
Ability to work in partnership with other agencies
Ability to ensure sound performance management based on robust business plans and clear objectives
Sound communication skills – oral and written
Ability to chair meetings in a range of settings
Ability to write sound and concise reports for a variety of audiences
Presentation skills using a variety of media
Experience of supervising staff to develop, support and improve performance
Four years post-qualification experience
Experience of contributing to policy and practice development within Children & Family services

Qualifications
DipSW or equivalent - Essential
Post qualification professional training - Desirable
Relevant management training - Desirable