Practice Development Manager (Designated Social Care Officer)
4 days ago | Be among the first 25 applicants
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
How You'll Make a Difference
Providing professional expertise as a Practice Development Manager (DSCO), you will ensure high-quality social work practice within South Gloucestershire’s Children’s Social Care and Preventative Services.
Working across various specialisms and services, your focus will be on strengthening collaboration between education, health, and social care. You will develop solutions and strategies to improve outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
What You Will Be Doing
* Lead the development of social care elements in the SEND strategy for South Gloucestershire, ensuring legislative compliance.
* Coordinate with the Children’s Services Management Team (CSMT) to keep them informed of SEND developments and their impact on social care and preventative services. Attend the quarterly Southwest DSCO Regional Forum for networking and practice sharing.
* Support staff to enhance understanding of children with SEND and promote effective practices, including transitions.
* Manage a system/data set tracking social care contributions to EHCPs, attending the weekly statutory SEND panel.
* Ensure readiness for SEND Ofsted and CQC inspections through social care elements of the local authority’s self-evaluation process, playing a key role during inspections.
* Deliver training and workshops to multi-agency teams to increase knowledge of SEND and social care, fostering service development.
* Work with commissioners to ensure local services address the social care needs of children with SEND, including participation in multi-agency panels like MARP.
What We Need From You
* Recognised professional qualification (e.g., DipSW, CQSW, CSS) and registration with Social Work England.
* Significant post-qualification experience in social care, including leadership roles.
* Proven skills in assessing and managing risks for vulnerable children.
* Ability to lead professional teams and challenge existing practices creatively and constructively.
What You Need To Know
* This role is hybrid, combining office work at Yate and remote working.
* An enhanced DBS check is required.
* Travel throughout the area is expected; a valid driving license and access to a vehicle are necessary.
* Business insurance must be added to your policy; mileage expenses can be claimed.
Interviews are anticipated on 6th May 2025.
What Makes a Career at South Gloucestershire Council Different
Our team ethos is our strength. As a smaller authority, managers know staff well, allowing for manageable caseloads and effective supervision. We promote work/life balance through genuine flexibility, and invest heavily in training and development to enable our staff to make a long-term impact.
Our benefits include generous annual leave (pro-rata), wellbeing support, and staff discounts on various services. We value diversity and are committed to fair promotion and development based on merit and ability.
Our work makes a real difference: building proud communities, supporting the vulnerable, and investing in education. Join us to continue making a positive impact.
For the full job description, click here: Practice Development Manager DSCO Strat Safeguarding
#J-18808-Ljbffr