Assistant Team Manager - Children's Single Point of Access
* Location: Reading, Hybrid Working
* Salary: Competitive
* Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid (2 days in office per week)
We are seeking an Assistant Team Manager to join our Children’s Single Point of Access (CSPoA) team. This role is crucial in providing high-quality information, advice, and intervention to partner agencies and the public, determining the threshold of need decisions for children where concerns about their care, safety, and well-being are shared. This is a non-case holding position that offers a unique opportunity to impact children's lives directly.
Day-to-day of the role:
* Oversee the initial contact and referral process to Children’s Social Care, Early Help, and our Partnership Hub.
* Ensure high-quality and child-focused practice through group and one-to-one supervision.
* Support the Team Manager in nurturing a high-performing work environment where agencies work closely together.
* Drive the development of a more interventionist practice model to provide timely help and reduce escalation.
* Engage in multi-disciplinary work with competing demands and expectations from various agencies.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
* Must have experience in a MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) environment; Assistant Team Manager experience outside of MASH is also considered.
* Strong understanding of current legislation and the West Berkshire Safeguarding Children Procedure and Practice Guidance.
* Experience managing Social Workers, Early Help Practitioners, and Business Support Staff.
* Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary environment and manage competing demands.
* Strong analytical skills and a focused approach on providing help at the right time.
* Creative and dynamic in supporting families with Early Help Services.
* Excellent communication skills and the ability to cultivate and nurture positive working relationships.
Benefits:
* Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave.
* A wide range of flexible working opportunities.
* Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading.
* Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
* Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
* On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted.
* Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work.
* Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing, and road tax.