Social Work Strategic Manager - Disabled Children's Service

Job Title: Social Work Strategic Manager - Disabled Children's Service
Location: Northampton
Type: Permanent
Work Type: Flexible (Field & Home)
Salary: £75,628 - £88,501 per annum

Sanctuary Personnel is currently seeking a motivated and experienced Strategic Manager for Disabled Children’s Service to join a dynamic team. This pivotal role offers an exciting opportunity to drive operational and strategic initiatives within the improvement journey.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO), providing strategic leadership and management advice on all matters concerning disabled children and children with special educational needs (SEND).
• Provide support and guidance to all areas of the Children’s Trust, including children's social care and care leavers, in relation to disabled children and those with SEND.
• Lead the development and delivery of vision, values, and strategic objectives for children, young people, and their families, collaborating with professional agencies and partners in the Integrated Care System and SEND reforms.
• Manage the budget for the Disabled Children’s Service, ensuring effective financial management and contributing to budget setting.
• Chair relevant panels, attend Quality Assurance and SEND Improvement Boards, and represent the service in management meetings and committees.
• Foster strategic partnerships with multi-agency stakeholders to promote the needs of children with SEND and establish joint working policies and practices.

Person Specification:

Personal Qualities:

• Inspire colleagues and stakeholders towards the long-term vision.
• Cultivate an inclusive culture, fostering positive and supportive teams.
• Communicate convincingly and clearly, even in challenging situations.
• Share expertise through coaching and mentoring.
• Utilise quality assurance tools to drive high-quality service delivery.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear, outcome-focused objectives.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Essential qualifications include a BA in Social Work or equivalent professional qualification recognised by Social Work England, Post Graduate Management Studies, and SW England Registration.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in direct work with disabled children, child protection, and leadership in childcare settings.
• Demonstrable track record of senior management in social care or related settings.
• Advanced understanding of performance management, statistical analysis, and project management.
• Thorough knowledge of Children’s Services, including SEND legislation and policies.
• Proven skills in finance management, decision-making, people management, leadership, and communication.
• Significant experience in creating inclusive environments, driving improvements, and fostering partnerships at a strategic level.

Benefits:

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Generous Annual Leave: All employees enjoy 28 days of annual leave per year, pro rata for part-time employees, in addition to bank holidays. This increases to 33 days after 5 years of continuous service.
• Annual Leave Purchase Scheme: Take advantage of our scheme to purchase up to 30 additional days of leave per year based on your weekly contractual working hours.
• Pension Options: Join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with contributions based on your salary, supplemented by a significant organisation contribution. Opt for the 50/50 scheme to pay half the normal contribution rate while still building a pension, and make additional voluntary contributions.
• Life Assurance and Ill-health Protection: Receive immediate life assurance cover of 3 times your annual salary from day one, along with protection in case of ill-health.
• Equality and Diversity: We're committed to equality of opportunity for all, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
• Agile Working Arrangements: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, including part-time, job sharing, term-time only, annualised hours, and flexi-time, subject to service requirements.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): Access confidential support for personal or professional issues, including telephone counseling, legal advice, bereavement support, and medical information, available 24/7.
• Access to Work Mental Health Support Service: Receive free, confidential support for mental health issues affecting work performance over a 9-month period.
• Training and Development Opportunities: Access a wide range of training options, including courses, qualifications, online learning, apprenticeships, coaching, mentoring, and bespoke training, tailored to support your role and ongoing professional development.
• Social Work Support: Benefit from specialised training such as Signs of Safety, alongside access to multi-agency training, research resources, and coverage of social work England registration fees.
• Retention Bonuses: Social work roles are eligible for retention bonuses, reflecting our commitment to retaining skilled and dedicated staff.
• Continuous Improvement: We're dedicated to building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce, promoting innovation and creativity while prioritising the well-being of children, young people, and families.

If you are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of disabled children and young people, and possess the requisite skills and qualifications, we invite you to apply for this challenging yet rewarding role.

Apply now through Sanctuary Personnel to join our dedicated team and contribute to shaping a brighter future for children with SEND in Northamptonshire.