Job Titleteam Manager- Families That Last

Job Titleteam Manager- Families That Last

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job TitleTeam Manager- Families that Last

Place of WorkLiverpoolOffice

Area of WorkMerseyside

SalarySalary Based on Experience

Responsible toService Manager

Hours of Work36 hours per week

Holiday Entitlement 25 days Annual Leave per annum plus Bank Holidays

1. Purpose of the Service

 To provide independent adoption related services in partnership with other agencies

 To develop innovative adoption projects

 To raise awareness and create a better understanding of adoption to help remove the

stigma and secrecy

2. Purpose of the Post

To work with the Service Manager to achieve the following outcomes:

  • Develop, deliver and co-ordinate the provision of adoption services in the designated area through individual, family and group work
  • Take a lead in service provision in located area
  • Assist in supporting voluntary and paid staff, to co-ordinate the work of the team
  • Deputise as appropriate for all the functions of the Service Manager
  • To provide cover as required for the Families that Last family placement service.

3. Co-ordinator Duties

To assist the Service Manager and deputise for him/her in undertaking the following tasks:

a)To convene and chair meetings of the team

b)To allocate and ensure an appropriate distribution of work amongst the team of adoption social workers, support workers and volunteers, effectively monitoring and controlling workloads.

c)To support and supervise staff members, volunteers and students in accordance with agency policy ensuring all staff understand and operate to individual work plans and to the highest professional standards

d)To ensure that staff members are appraised regularly and that their professional development and training needs are identified and addressed.

e)To proactively seek service development opportunities and to develop practice

f)To ensure accurate and timely reports are provided for Service Level Agreements and other funders as required

4. Family placement Social Worker Duties

1)Plan and implement an appropriate advertising and recruitment plan for children referred to the Service.

2)Recruit and prepare families.

3)Liaise with local authority children and families’ services and other fostering and adoption agencies, and collaborate with the regional adoption support teams as appropriate.

4)Prepare reports for and attend meetings, including Adoption Panel meetings and Planning meetings. Present reports at these meetings as required.

5)Prepare and present prospective adopters reports and adoption reports, liaise with solicitors, guardians, and court officials and attend court where necessary.

6)Plan and implement programmes for introductions for children and families.
To co-ordinate a programme of post-placement support in line with the Local Authority care plan for the child and in conjunction with After Adoption’s regional adoption support teams.

Administration, Support & Development

  • Maintain case records of all work with children, families and Local Authorities. Complete such other administration as is necessary to maintain an orderly and professional approach.
    Participate in both the evaluation and monitoring of the service, and in planning future practice and policy developments.
  • Participate in information giving or publicity activities as required in liaison with the Agency’s Communications and Fundraising staff.
  • Organise and participate in training and other events for families, students, social workers and other agencies or professionals (according to experience and skills).
  • Participate in the provision of a "duty cover” service as required.
    Undertake all other such tasks and activities which will further the work of the Children & Families Services within After Adoption and reasonably correspond with the general character of the post and the level of responsibility.

Manner of Work

  • To work in a manner which is in keeping with the equal opportunities and anti-oppressive practice standards of After Adoption and in accordance with the stated values of the organisation.
  • Adhere to health and Safety regulations and maintain a safe working environment.
  • To work accountably within all the organisation’s policies and procedures, including acceptable usage of ICT, Confidentiality, Data Protection and Equal Opportunities.

Working Conditions

  • The worker is expected to hold a full driving licence and provide a car, for which mileage allowance is payable.
  • Some flexibility in working hours, including evening and some weekend work is required.
  • To occasionally visit service users in their own homes and travel within the specified geographical area, requiring the post holder to work flexible hours
  • The worker should be prepared to travel occasionally outside the designated area of work and this may include overnight stays.
  • Please note that this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to satisfactory clearance from the Disclosure and Barring service (DBS).

AFTER ADOPTION Key: E = Essential D = Desirable

AF = Application Form I = Interview P = Presentation

PERSON SPECIFICATION

SELECTION

E/D MECHANISM

Qualifications

Social work professional qualification

CQSW, Dip SW or equivalentE AF

Counselling D AF

Experience

Experience of working with children and familiesE AF / I

Experience of working with children/adults who haveE AF / I

been significantly affected by loss

Experience of working in teams E AF

Experience of adoptionD AF / I

Loss counselling experienceDAF

Experience of supervising staff or students EAF

Experience of working within Safeguarding procedures D AF / I

Knowledge

Knowledge of the provisions of the Adoption Act and

Children Act and accompanying guidanceEAF / I

Evidence of a sound understanding of how adoption affects

all parties to adoptionE AF / I

Knowledge and understanding of child developmentE AF / I

and attachment theory.

Awareness of issues in post adoption workE AF / I

Working knowledge of Safeguarding proceduresEAF/I

Skills

Communication SkillsEI

Ability to work with families & understanding family dynamicsEI

Groupwork skillsEI

Mediation and negotiation skillsEI

Values

Commitment and willingness to co-work with other workers.

paid and voluntaryEI

Commitment to and knowledge of equal opportunities and

Anti-oppressive practice.EAF/I

Commitment to working in the voluntary sector with an

Understanding of how it is able to provide and develop servicesEI

Commitment to After Adoption’s ‘Statement & Values’EI

Other

Being prepared to work flexible hours including some evening workEAF/I

Being able to use a car for business use and have a clean licenceEAF

Be prepared to travel outside designated areas of work EAF

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