Unit Coordinator – SC6

Job Category : Admin / Clerical.
Location : Hackney Service Centre, Hackney Council.
Hours Per Week : 36.00.
Start Date : Immediate Start.
Start Time : 09:00.
End Time : 17:00.
Salary: £15.74.

This post requires a very competent administrator able to keep up with a fast pace of work. The vacancy is within children’s social care in a team that works directly with foster carers.
The responsibilities of the Unit Coordinator are;

To set up and maintain systems and processes to enable the smooth running of
the social work unit, ensuring that the work of the unit is co-ordinated and well
organised.

2. To act as a first point of contact for enquiries to the unit, some of which may be
   complex and/or contentious, from other staff, members of the public, or other
   agencies. To answer queries where possible, and to take messages for members
   of the unit or direct the caller to another source of help.
3. To take phone calls or receive office visits from children and families known to the
   unit, dealing sensitively with families who may be in distress.
4. To ensure diaries and appointments for members of the unit are co-ordinated and
   accessible.
5. To organise meetings and arrange venues for members of the unit and maintain
   follow up and bring forward systems to alert members to forthcoming meetings
   and appointments.
6. To maintain systems of key statutory requirements for children as directed by the
   Consultant Social Worker, for example child protection visits, children’s reviews
   etc., ensuring that members of the unit are aware of due dates in advance.
   To service the weekly case planning meeting ensuring papers are prepared,
   relevant professionals are invited to specific case discussions, and accurate
   records are kept for each child discussed.
   Job Description

Page 2 of 4

8. To take minutes of other professional meetings, some of which may be at other
   venues, including families’ homes.
9. To be aware of children’s and families’ circumstances and to keep up to date on
   developments within cases, in order to be equipped to answer queries from
   children, families, staff or other agencies as directed by the Consultant Social
   Worker.
10. To collect and aggregate management information about the work of the unit and
    produce regular reports as directed by the Consultant Social Worker.
11. To undertake research or special projects on behalf of the unit as directed by the
    Consultant Social Worker.
12. To ensure financial payments to families are efficiently managed. To raise
    purchase orders (paper and electronic) as requested and ensure appropriate
    authorisation for payments. To implement and operate procedures relating to
    financial matters in accordance with the Council’s procedures and to ensure all
    transactions are authorised and recorded e.g. travel warrants, local orders, petty
    cash, vouchers.
13. To arrange transport and other appointments for families, for example children’s
    medicals, as directed by the members of the unit.
14. To work collaboratively with colleagues from all other agencies.
15. To be accountable to members of the social work unit for the maintenance of
    confidentiality, understanding that the work undertaken by the unit will be of a
    sensitive nature and must not be discussed or disclosed to any other officers
    without prior agreement.
16. To assist in the preparation of reports and briefing papers on a wide range of
    issues for members of the unit as directed by the Consultant Social Worker.
17. To keep records for all members of the unit to include sickness absence, annual
    leave arrangements, training days taken etc.
18. To set up systems and protocols to ensure back up cover can maintain a full
    service at all times in order to ensue cover arrangements for members of the unit
    who are not in the office, for example, annual leave, vacancies, sickness etc.
19. To ensure that all paper correspondence received is date stamped then stored
    electronically. Ensure that all correspondence sent out is accurate and drafted to a
    high standard. To ensure that letters, including complaints, are responded to
    within reasonable timescales.