Operational Manager (Children Services) OM2

Job Category : Social Care – Qualified
Location : County Hall, Cardiff Council
Hours Per Week : 37.00
Start Date : Immediate Start
Start Time : 09:00
End Time : 17:00
Salary: £36.12

This post forms part of the management team in children’s services which consists of 10 operational managers, all of whom have overall responsibility for the strategic and operational direction of the service area.
This is an exciting time to join our service which is striving to ensure that individuals, their family and communities are at the heart of everything we do.
We are continuing to develop a strengths-based, rights based approach, trauma informed practice and are in the process of realigning our services with local communities and key statutory partners.
About the job
The post holder will be responsible for the operational delivery of services for one of three locality teams and will have line management responsibility for four team managers and various strategic projects.

The locality teams will be responsible for all aspects of Care Planning across the child’s journey including; care and support, child protection, public law outline, children looked after and adoption.
What We Are Looking For From You
The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate considerable experience of practicing and managing within children’s services and will be responsible for ensuring an excellent standard of work practice exists across their teams and the wider service area.

The post holder will be expected to maintain and develop their knowledge regarding legislation, research, practice developments, new initiatives and procedures and to use this knowledge to drive forward standards across the service.

Working in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales, brings many opportunities both personally and professionally. It is a vibrant multi-cultural city and is an exciting place to live and work. The post holder will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and expertise across a wide range of diverse services, working closely with families, communities and partner agencies to deliver excellent outcomes for the children and young people of Cardiff.

Education & Training
Evidence of continuous professional development
Relevant management qualification Desirable

Project Management qualification Desirable

Relevant professional qualification and registration Desirable

Experience / Knowledge

Experience of leadership and management of children’s social services

Expert knowledge of Welsh social services legislation, codes of practice and regulation.

Experience of leading strength based practice and
willingness to work with Signs of Safety as the model of practice.

Relevant management qualification

Relevant professional qualification

Evidence of continuous professional development

Knowledge and experience in taking a Children’s Rights approach to practice

Experience of multi-agency child protection and safeguarding

Experience and knowledge of implementing quality assurance and service improvement systems

Experience of successful working with employees and Trade Unions, and external public and private sector organisations and voluntary organisations, as necessary

Experience of working with Elected Members

Experience of managing resources i.e. finance, employees, property and information technology

Successful partnership working with organisations in the statutory, voluntary and independent sectors.
Experience of developing a partnership approach to working with parents