Older People & Physical Disabilities Support Planning Team

Deputy Team Manager

Older People & Physical Disabilities Support Planning Team

Adults Social Care

Candidate Information Pack

Ref: 14345

August 2016

Brent – The place to be, the council to work for

Brent is a place of contrasts and a destination for thousands of British and international visitors every year. Home of the iconic Wembley Stadium, the world famous Wembley Arena, the new London Designer Outlet and the spectacular Swaminarayan Hindu Temple, it provides a stage for cultural, sporting and religious events of national and international importance.

Our new Civic Centre is on Engineers Way (opposite Wembley Stadium and Wembley Arena); it provides residents with easy access to a variety of public services in one place.

The majority of staff are based in the award winning Civic Centre, having recently won the best corporate workplace joint category in London and the South East at the annual British Council for Offices (BCO) Regional Property Sector Awards. The Civic Centre hasalso been awarded the coveted BREEAM (Building Research Establishment), ‘Outstanding’ rating in its post construction assessment, which is the highest possible ranking. It is the greenest public building in the UK.

Brent is served by some of the best road and rail transport links in London. Given the excellent public transport links to the Civic Centre there is no on-site parking provision for staff (excluding blue badge holders). If staff choose to commute to work by car, local car park operators offer discounted contract parking and details can be provided on request.

There is excellent provision for cyclists including over 200 secure cycle parking spaces, lockers and showers.There is also a Club Car scheme in operation for staff that need to use vehicles to perform their duties.

We have award winning parks, outstanding schools, a great night life and a reputation for fostering and celebrating community cohesion. Our population is young, dynamic and growing. Our long history of ethnic and cultural diversity has created a place that is truly unique and valued by those who live and work here.

The council has achieved Investors in People (IiP) Silver level accreditation, this is reserved for organisations that have achieved above and beyond the basic IiP standard's 39 requirements, which stands as testament to Brent's commitments to best practice in respect of the development of staff and how investment in learning and development has a positive impact on the services that the council provide. Over the coming months we are going to build on what we are doing well and with your help we will make Brent an even greater place to work as we work towards achieving Gold accreditation in 2015.

Over recent years Brent Council has undergone major transformation, and this continues with a programme of unprecedented structural and organisational change designed to meet the financial challenges facing the public sector. The council’s Improvement and Efficiency Strategy sets out proposals to deliver high quality services while driving efficiency and cutting waste and bureaucracy. It is committed to driving forward service excellence, urban regeneration and community cohesion whilst recognising that we cannot ignore the financial reality of providing public services in this challenging financial climate.

Anyone joining the council is coming into a confident, ambitious organisation with big plans. There is a huge opportunity to contribute to change in a way that genuinely helps us to become more efficient, streamlined and customer-focused. Whilst competitive levels of pay are important in your decision to work for Brent, we aim to offer an employment package that supports the values and wellbeing of everybody working here.This determination is reflected in our benefits.

GLPC Job Description Manager

/ Job Title / Deputy Team Manager
Department / Adult Social Care
Section / Adult Social Care
Grade / PO4
Reports to / Team Manager
Staffing Responsibility / Up to 20 staff
Organisation / Please attach organisation structure
Job Purpose:
Reporting to the Team Manager, to support the Team Manager in securing the continuous development, improvement, efficiency and success of the Team as a whole. The Deputy Team Manager will work alongside, and support, the Team Manager in providing specialist advice, guidance, support and supervision to a range of qualified and non qualified staff working in Adult Social Care and Transitions. The Deputy Team Manager will be directly responsible for supervising a group of staff within their specific team and dealing with day to day quality assurance, customer care and performance issues reporting to the Team Manager only when required. The Deputy Team Manager will chair specialist meetings such as Safeguarding Strategy Meetings and be responsible for the implementation of Safeguarding Plans. The Deputy Team Manager will be required to work flexibly in this role, cover for colleagues when required, including the Team Manager, and cover across the service area as the needs of the service dictate. The Deputy Team Manager may carry a small complex caseload as agreed with the Team Manager
Principal Accountabilities and Responsibilities:

Work proactively to make a positive contribution to the delivery of the service. This will include working flexibly and positively to achieve the objectives of the Council.
Manage and lead staff to achieve high performance and effective operational delivery, including developing and improving staff capability.
Provide a customer focused service and ensure effective use of resources
Foster a consistent cross One Council culture by ensuring that Council’s overall vision, values and ethos are central to the requirements of the service.
Working closely with the Team Manager to support effective working relationships and acting as an ambassador and advocate with external organisations as required
The postholder must at all times carry out duties with due regard to the Councils customer care; equal opportunities; information governance and health and safety policies and procedures.
Work flexibly and positively to achieve the objectives of the Council.
To understand the value of information to the council and to contribute to good information governance by keeping information safe, secure, accurate and up to date and available to those who need it. Abide by the council’s information governance policies.
Keep up to date with developments in service delivery and best practice to ensure the service performs effectively and to the highest standards
To be responsible for the day to day operation of teams ensuring they meet quality standards in all aspects of service delivery, but in particular in relation to:
Quality of assessments
Quality of outcomes
Quality of Customer Care as defined by the ASC Customer Care Charter
Quality of case recording and information gathered
To undertake the recruitment of staff within the agreed Council recruitment procedures.
To be responsible for the implementation of the Council’s disciplinary, grievance, capability, sickness, harassment, health and safety policies and other relevant personnel procedures, in relation to supervisees.
The professional sign off of support plans, and authorisation of expenditure within agreed limits on behalf of the Department, ensuring duty to customer is balanced with best value for the Council taxpayer.
To respond within policy to complaints and requests for information from members of the public, Councillors and MPs, and to focus on resolving issues at the earliest possible stage
Carry out duties with due regard to the council’s customer care, equal opportunities, information governance, data protection and health and safety policies and procedures.
Undertake any other duties commensurate with the general level of responsibility of this post.

Job Context:

Wide range of internal and external contacts including managers in other parts of the Council, partner organisations involving the use of a range of interpersonal skills
Develop partnership working with key external stakeholders across the public, private and voluntary sectors; at all times to work closely and effectively with relevant partner organisations
High level of work related pressure in terms of deadlines, conflicting priorities etc.
Ensure the development of the Council’s services as directed by the Team Manager
Operates within a framework set by Corporate and Department Management Teams, but with freedom to influence the shape of services such as the level and range of staff skills needed in the team
Involvement in policy and development as directed by Team Manager to ensure implementation of new legislative and operational policy requirements within Children with Disabilities and Adult Social Care
Ensures high professional standards and high standards of service delivery
Keeps up to date with legislation and professional development related to the area of work
Supports the implementation of council wide improvements within the team and assist with this across the service as a whole as required by the Management Team

DBS Status / Yes, Enhanced
Politically Restricted / No
Person Specification
Job Knowledge, Skills & Experience:
Specify the qualifications, experience, skills and abilities required.
Knowledge and Qualifications:

Relevant professional qualification
Evidence of current registration with professional body
Evidence of significant relevant CPD.
Evidence of significant knowledge and understanding of relevant legislative and policy framework
Evidence and knowledge of working with adults who have learning disabilities
Evidence of supervisory management and organisational development experience
Knowledge of research, inquiries and recent studies affecting this service area and able to monitor its application in practice
Knowledge of Equal; Opportunities and Customer Care
Understanding of staff management

Experience:
Track record of achievement at a supervisory and/or management level in a similarly large and complex political organisation including:

Proven experience of working with adults with learning disabilities and multiple complexities
Effectively providing support and supervision to staff in delivering outcome focussed and cost effective assessments, support plans and services
Involvement in the effective implementation of a performance management system and dealing with poor performance
Ensuring that the statutory duties of staff are understood and met
Flexibility in role and involvement in the development of new services and organisational change

Skills and Abilities:

Manage people, performance and budgets.
Communicating and influencing skills.
Demonstrable ability to provide day to day supervision to a large and varied staff team,
Demonstrable ability to provide clear leadership to a staff team and motivate staff to achieve their best
Demonstrable ability to work in Partnership across the Department, the Council when required, and other agencies and organisations
Demonstrate the use of technologies and techniques required to achieve the above
A strong role model who demonstrates a personal commitment to high standards of public service, honesty and integrity and professionalism.
Good leadership and able to demonstrate management skills
A collaborative corporate player with a strong team spirit and respect for others.
A customer focused individual with a personal commitment to service improvement, equality, diversity and inclusion.
A dynamic, committed individual with the resilience and drive to cope with the demands and pressures of the post including the ability to cope effectively at times of crisis
Ability to manage difficult or high- risk casework
Able to cope with pressure in an appropriate manner

We have a highly competitive remuneration and benefits package:

Remuneration

Grade: PO4 Salary range: £39,351 - £42,027p.a. inc.

Hours of Work

36 hours per week

Whilst your hours will normally be worked during Monday to Friday, your actual working week runs from Monday to Sunday and you may be required to work on any day in this period.

Pay Intervals

Monthly on the 15th of each month into your bank account.

Salary progression

All appointments are made at the bottom of the salary scale for the post unless by exception.Within the salary range there a number of salary points. Subject to satisfactory service your salary will rise incrementally each year through these points to the maximum.

Annual leave

Annual leave entitlement starts at 26 days plus leave on all recognised public and bank holidays rising to a maximum of 32 days depending on length of service. Leave is pro rata for staffs who work part time or job share.

Probation period

The appointment is subject to completion of a satisfactory probation period.

Pensions

Local government employees have access to very attractive pension arrangements.

Benefits

An attractive employment package is offered that supports the values and wellbeing of everybody working at Brent. Brent offers:

flexible working arrangements,
a wellbeing programme,
access to discounts in a wide range of services including travel, retail, entertainment and sports facilities.

Place of Work

Civic Centre and other locations from time to time.

Travel arrangements

Interest free loans are available to employees wishing to purchase an annual season ticket. There are good travel links in and out of Wembley.

Training

The council is committed to developing its workforce and has achieved Investors in People accreditation.

Valuing Diversity

We are proud that Brent is one of the most diverse boroughs in the UK and aim to develop a workforce that reflects the community in which we operate.

We are committed to recruiting, developing and retaining the most talented people from all backgrounds and valuing the varied skills, experiences and perspectives they bring to us in Brent. We strive to ensure that applicants are considered solely on the basis of their skills and abilities. We monitor the diversity of applicants and appointments to check that all our employment procedures are fair.

We particularly encourage applications from disabled people as they are currently under-represented in our workforce. We are a Two Ticks employer and offer guaranteed interviews to disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role.

Important Information about this role:

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Check

Successful applicants will be required to obtain an Enhanced DBS check considered satisfactory by the Council. The London Borough of Brent is an Equal Opportunities employer and having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us.

This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences. We will not unfairly discriminate against you on the basis of conviction or other details revealed.

However, we are also fully committed to protecting our vulnerable clients and will fully comply with the DBS code of practice. For a copy of the code, please visit or request a copy from Human Resources.

Failure to disclose information or providing deliberate false information in order to gain employment may lead to your dismissal or a withdrawal of an offer of employment.

Rehabilitation of offenders Act

This post is exempt from section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, 1974, as the duties give you access to persons who are under the age of 18. Applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions, which would be regarded as spent for other purposes.

Application information

For your information please note the following when completing your application:

Read the job description and person specification carefully
Complete a supporting statement online as part of the application form, making sure you address each of the criteria indicated in the person specification
As space for your supporting statement is only 12000 characters on the system, you may prefer to choose the document upload option to attach a word version of your statement.

Applicants may only be short-listed if they indicate in their application that they meet the short-listing criteria on the Person Specification. Your completed application form and attachments are the only basis for considering your initial suitability for the post.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide feedback to applicants who are not shortlisted for interview. However, you will receive an automated email informing you of the outcome of your application within four weeks of the closing date.

Disabled Applicants

Applicants who are disabled and are covered under the Disability Provision of Equality Act 2010 and meet the essential criteria for the role will be invited to the selection process.

Recruitment stages

The flowchart below has been created to inform you of the proposed recruitment timeline and different stages candidates will follow during this recruitment process.

We appreciate it is helpful to give candidates adequate notice of assessment and interview dates and it is intended that these will be held on the above dates.

*Candidates will normally receive confirmation of the start date within 4 weeks of their conditional offer but this will depend on:

How quickly candidates complete and return all necessary information
Whether a Health Referral is required and how detailed the request for medical information is.

Salary: £39,351 - £42,027 p.a. inc

Maximising independence and helping to achieve outcomes