Targeted Services and Health Manager in Windsor

Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government.

This post is within the multi-professional Children and Young People Disability Service (CYPDS) in Windsor and Maidenhead which includes special educational needs, social care, occupational therapy (OT), family work and support functions such as the Local Offer and Short Breaks, working with children and young people with special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND) aged 0-25 years.

About the role

The post holder will have leadership and oversight of the non-Statutory services of CYPDS; Respite Review, Family Work and Occupational Therapy, working alongside social care. They will be required to drive the strategic direction and improvements of CYPDS, while managing a budget in the current financial climate and have experience of managing teams supporting young people and families with disabilities. They will manage staff to deliver high quality responsive services through holistic assessment and intervention within the statutory responsibilities of Children and Families Act 2014 and Children Act 1989 and 2004. This includes building family resilience, enhancing learning and development and guidance and support at key points of transition. Ensuring any safeguarding concerns are escalated to Social Care Managers. Proactive performance management including analysing data, quality assuring and auditing to develop and drive greater outcomes.

The post holder will be responsible for the recruitment and case supervision for staff to reflect on the complexity of work with children with disabilities, managing complex emotions in relation to grief and trauma and in some circumstances end of life care for Children and Young people. They will monitor packages of support and ensure reviews are carried out within statutory timescales. They will ensure service involvement in reviews of EHC plans as specified and assist the service in its wider role with children, young people and their families to raise aspirations and to ensure individuals reach their full potential as they move into adulthood, with early identification to Preparing for adulthood (PfA).

Other key responsibilities will include:

• Allocation of financial assessments for 0-18 cohort within TIA team or open under short breaks ensuring that effective analysis and consideration has been made to ensure the best use of public funds;
• Daily monitoring and allocation of duty desk and review and sign off carers assessments for parents, panel requests prior to submission, IRAP or CHC applications ahead of submission to health, Continuing Health Care checklists for cases;
• Attend IRAP, Health consultation panel, DST’s and DSR’s for any non-safeguarding IRAP referrals, resource panels to contribute to decision making and the early help hub to identify cases that should sit within the Targeted Intervention area of CYPDS and be a key contact for early help;
• Update CYPDS health monitoring data following the outcome of IRAP for all young people receiving IRAP or CHC funding;
• Liaise with Health, SEN and Finance colleagues to ensure agreed funding splits are correctly recorded for cases within the TIA team and invoiced to ensure budget responsibility.

About you

The successful candidate will be:

• Educated to Degree Level standard / NVQ Level 3 in childcare or equivalent;
• Proven evidence of continuing professional development;
• Experience of leading a team and working with children and young people with SEN/Disabilities and their families and of building and maintaining successful relationships with a range of influencers, including schools and proven ability to network, build relationships and influence others;
• Active commitment to innovation, including a willingness to challenge traditional ways of working and the development of services to value equality and diversity;
• Knowledge and understanding of legislation, statutory frameworks and policy affecting services for children, young people and families in relation to SEND, in particular a good understanding of the Children Act 1989 and the Children and Families Act 2014;
• A good knowledge of the local services available to children and young people with additional needs;
• Experience in the development of policy, procedures and the strategic plans for the whole service with a focus on respite review, family interventions and OT;
• Experience of managing budget preparation and monitoring process ensuring that budgetary control procedures are carried out;
• Experience of keeping and maintaining records (in accordance with local policy) and producing accurate reports, presentations, written updates to a range of stakeholders (which may include families, children or young people);
• A commitment to undertake relevant training and professional development to ensure knowledge, skills and understanding of matters relating to special educational needs/disability, inclusion and professional practice remains up to date;
• Experience of addressing specific equality or diversity issues within your practice with colleagues/service users and taking action to solve them.

About our benefits

We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:

• 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month;
• Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC;
• Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension);
• Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance;
• A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme;
• A range of staff benefits and discounts;
• An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway.

For more information about AfC, please contact Christine Green.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.