Job Title: Head of Service – Safeguarding and Reviewing

Pay: Special E Grade - £72,855 - £82,978 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: 37 Hours Per Week Full/Time

Benefits:

·       Generous Employer Contributions in a Local Government Pension Scheme

·       Competitive salary and pay progression structure.

·       Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay

·       Supportive carer and parental policies

·       Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave

·       Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services

·       Supportive staff networks

·       Access to Blue Light Card Discounts

·       Professional development/support

·       Career Progression

·       Enhanced annual leave entitlement.

·       Social Worker Registration Fees paid

·       Flexible Working/Hybrid options subject to service need

Location: Sir Henry Mitchell House, Bradford

Hybrid Working Option:  Yes

About Us

Bradford Children and Families Trust was established in April 2023 to enhance the quality and delivery of Children’s Services across our district. Our purpose is clear, to ensure that our promise to improve the lives of children and young people in Bradford becomes a reality. It’s a tough ask. It requires dedication, determination, and resilience – but under a new Chief Executive, Senior Leadership team and an unswerving drive to deliver the best outcomes, we are confident that we’ll achieve our ambition – and you, yours.

So, if you’re up for the Challenge we’d love to hear from you!

About The Role

The Head of Service will provide leadership to safeguarding children practice in the Trust and the multi-agency partnership ensuring that the views of children and young people influence and help shape service delivery at both an individual and service level.

The role holder will be a key source of safeguarding advice and expertise to the Trust and partners and provide confident leadership and clear management across wide-ranging services to ensure the effective strategic development and operational delivery of those services.

Ensure that the service meets its key statutory requirements to meet the needs of children and young people, improving outcomes through strategic leadership and operational delivery.

Create and build effective relationships internally and externally with key stakeholders to support collaboration with others.

Key Responsibilities

• As a member of the Bradford Children and Families Senior Management Team, provide operational leadership, direction and service expertise to ensure that the service is fit for purpose and meets the requirements as set out in the inspection framework.
• Lead and motivate staff effectively to deliver excellence and achieving positive outcomes for children and young people, including promoting high quality supervision of both staff and case work.
• To ensure that the child protection conferencing service carries out its role and responsibilities to the highest possible standard as set out in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.
• To also oversee and lead services for LADO, Fostering Independent Reviewing Service, Reg 44 and Participation Service as set out in relevant regulations.
• To ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard individually, and themes are embedded within service planning. This includes leading on the use of Mind of My Own.
• To oversee and lead services for the Business Support Team within the Safeguarding and Reviewing Unit.

About You

• Three years’ experience in senior management as service manager or above in a large and complex organisation.
• Experience of leading and responding to Ofsted Inspections.
• Recent relevant statutory experience of managing social work services for children and young people.
• Experience of leading, managing, supporting, and developing individuals and teams and promoting a ‘can do’ attitude within an environment of continuous improvement and outcomes for children and young people.   
• A proven track record of successful management of staff and achievement of targets and objectives.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility for the Service, to enhance its reputation, and to form positive relationships.
• Social Work qualification.
• Registered Social Worker with Social Work England.
• Management qualification or substantial demonstrable experience at managerial level in a relevant children’s social care field

Next Steps

·       For an Informal Discussion regarding this vacancy please Contact Ruth Terry via her PA Valerie Allan on val.allan@bradfordcft.org.uk

Closing Date: 9^th July 2024

Interview Date – W/C 22^ND July 2024

Job Profile - Head of Service - Safeguarding and Reviewing May 2024.pdf

Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.