The Social Work Team Manager is a significant role in the leadership of the Neighbourhood to ensure the Manchester Local Care Organisation facilitates each neighbourhood to make positive changes to population health and wellbeing and ensure that neighbourhood health and wellbeing initiatives are genuinely co-produced from the outset and involve local residents. The post holder will work together with a number of professional leads from different professions and organisations.
The role holder will be responsible for the safe delivery of care or people support functions, ensuring the discharge of statutory responsibilities and the provision of a high quality standard of service which promotes the wellbeing of individuals and groups within the community.
The role holder will effectively lead, manage and motivate a team of professional practitioners to develop a skilled and confident workforce which meets the needs of the service and Manchester residents.
The role holder will work in collaboration with partners and key stakeholders to develop effective partnerships and greater coordinated working with other services and organisations to ensure a positive contribution to the development and delivery of care and support priorities for the city.
The role holder will lead the Preparation for Adulthood & Transitions Service. We are citywide team that collaborates with young people and their network to create a personalised plan that addresses the individual’s specific needs, goals, and aspirations as they move into adulthood. The service is also referred to as the ‘Transition Service’ used to describe the transfer of care and support for vulnerable young people from Children’s Social Care to Adult’s Social Care. The aim is to ensure a seamless transition, providing necessary support and services during this important life stage.
The Preparation for Adulthood & Transitions Team are a key entry point into adult social care, where opportunities for building independence can be truly maximised at time in a young person’s life which is full of change, hope and aspiration. The role holder will need to possess in depth knowledge of the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005 with the ability to support professionals working within the team, alongside key stakeholders who potentially have limited to no experience or knowledge of adult focused legislation. Working understanding of the Children and Family Act 2014 and SEND Code of Practice 2014 is also required to effectively carry out the role.
The people we work with can present with a breadth of needs, including those who are neurodivergent, have a physical disability, learning disability, life limiting conditions, long term health conditions, acquired brain injury, those who care experienced, and young people who have been, or are at risk of, being exploited. Some people need initial assessment and signposting, whereas others might have multiple and complex needs, requiring an integrated health and social care approach to promote positive life outcomes.
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
- The oversight of screening referrals, having an ability to assimilate information from varied and multiple sources, focus on relevant issues and identify gaps in information to support robust screening and decision making in relation to appropriate pathways and priorities, in a timely way.
- Openness and commitment to own continuous learning and development will be key, including the ability to encourage and share learning with others, leading to learning being embedded into operational practice.
- Working across different organisational and departmental cultures, the role holder will be adept at building and maintaining relationships and use their ability with relationships to build a key network of preparation for adulthood supporters and champions.
- Dealing with challenges in a constructive and proactive way, always maintaining the focus on trying to achieve the best outcomes for young people.
- Leading others to work effectively with young people, their families and core support networks to introduce and navigate adult social care services, along with access to health services, supporting and empowering young people to articulate their aspirations, make decisions, and fulfil their potential, generating positive outcomes which maximise independence.
Key Role Accountabilities:
Provide strong management direction and motivate team members through effective performance management and co-ordination to maintain continuous improvement in order to meet service priorities.
The role holder will provide professional consultation, support and guidance for team members and colleagues to assist in decision making and approve specific decisions in the management of cases.
Manage safeguarding risk and quality assurance effectively within the context of an agreed framework, policies, procedures and statutory responsibilities within a multi professional environment.
Work closely with key stakeholders to gather data intelligence in order to identify care needs and priorities to develop sustainable, customer focused service and implementation plans.
People. Pride. Place. Proactively identify and support the implementation of change and improvements in service provision to improve care and support opportunities and outcomes for Manchester residents.
Monitor budgets in accordance with City Council policies and procedures to achieve financial targets and forecast resource requirements as appropriate.
Roles at this level may be required to manage a range of assigned resources. Staff management duties may be either through direct line management (including appraisals, performance management and other duties) or through matrix management of a virtual team of officers.
The role holder will be expected to effectively co-ordinate resources to support the principals of ‘joined up’ communication and to ensure efficiencies are achieved.
Personal commitment to continuous self-development and service improvement.
Through personal example, open commitment and clear action, ensure diversity is positively valued, resulting in equal access and treatment in employment, service delivery and communications