Head of Service – Medway Council
Overview
This role leads strategic direction for Children’s Services with a focus on Fostering, Multi Disciplinary Services, and Youth Services. You will be the lead for Adoption Partnership South East (London Borough of Bexley, Kent County Council (Host) and Medway Council) and act as the interface between Children’s Services and Commissioning. You will contribute to the operational management and development of the wider service in collaboration with the Assistant Director and other Heads of Service.
Base pay range
Salary: £61,140 - 73,241 per annum + £5,573 special allowance, £10,000 skills allowance, and £3,000 out of hours payment. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience.
Following the Ofsted inspection in July 2023, Medway Council has been rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted.
Responsibilities
As Head of Service you will:
* Be part of a permanent senior management team providing strategic leadership and oversight.
* Ensure practice and values deliver positive outcomes for children, young people, and their families.
* Lead in the areas of Fostering, Multi Disciplinary Services and Youth Services.
* Act as interface between Children’s Services and Commissioning.
* Contribute to the operational management and development of the wider service in collaboration with senior colleagues.
Qualifications and experience
* As a qualified and registered Social Worker, with a proven track record of successfully managing children’s social care services, you will have excellent leadership skills and a proven record of transforming services.
* Experience with ‘Signs of Safety’ or a similar strengths and relationships based practice framework is desirable.
* Significant experience and knowledge directly related to the area of specialism is essential.
* Experience planning for and contributing to the Ofsted inspection process.
* Extensive understanding of the legislative and policy framework around providing services to children, young people, and their families.
* Evidence of continuous professional development.
* Further information on required qualifications, skills and experience is available in the Job Profile and Person Specification.
About you
* A recognised Social Work qualification (e.g., Degree in Social Work, PGC in Social Work, CQSW, DipSW or equivalent).
* Registered with Social Work England.
* NVQ Level 5 in Management or equivalent management qualification.
* Extensive management experience including change management.
* Experience in the Ofsted inspection process and safeguarding practice.
* Strong understanding of the legislative and policy framework for children’s services.
* Experience working within a Signs of Safety framework.
* Commitment to continuous professional development.
Our organisation
Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, serving towns including Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham, with rural areas such as the Hoo Peninsula. Medway provides all local government services to a population of around a quarter of a million people.
Working at Medway Council means contributing to transforming lives in our communities, alongside talented, professional colleagues.
Seniority level
* Executive
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Administrative, Management, and Strategy/Planning
Industries
* Government Administration
* Health and Human Services
This posting includes standard EEO statements and is intended to provide information about the position. Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Medway Council.
Location notes and additional job postings may be found via the employer profile.
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