Team Leader – West Central Services in Glasgow

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our West Central Services to positively impact on the lives of children, young people and their families, building empowering relationships to address the various, often complex challenges they face. These are innovative services, working alongside children and their families within communities across West Central Services providing whole family support which is easily accessible and non-stigmatising. We listen and learn from children and families to develop the service alongside our partners.

We adopt a relational and restorative approach which helps families to strengthen relationships and reduce emotional distress. We invest in reflective and trauma-sensitive practice which guides workers to develop a relationship with family members characterised by trust, respect, honesty, compassion and open communication, placing the voice of children, young people and their families at the centre of the support.

Our main Children First base is in Glasgow, but as a key member of our wider leadership team across Glasgow, Inverclyde, South Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, you will oversee a range of services, and some travel would be expected across these areas. In this position you will play a crucial role in the ongoing learning and development of the service and contribute to how we continue to best meet the needs of families across Glasgow and our other services/areas. Building relationships and the ability to communicate effectively internally as well as with external partners and agencies is at the heart of everything you will do.

You should have experience of working in a leadership capacity; of offering reflective support and/or supervision to a team of volunteers/staff/students and be able to confidently respond to and manage risk. Families are facing increasing challenges which makes this a demanding role requiring tenacity, commitment and flexibility. No two days are the same!

If you have a passion for working alongside families, have experience of keeping children safe, are committed to restorative approaches, and have a professional qualification in a relevant area such as Social Work, Teaching or equivalent in Child Care/Social Care or related area, accredited counselling qualification, or other relevant qualification at SCQF level 9 or higher, then we want to hear from you.

Your wellbeing is important to us; we will support you to work in a way that gets the job done but maintains a healthy work-life balance. We will provide connection with the rest of the organisation including regular support from the local Service Manager and Assistant Director.

We will offer you a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement (40 days inclusive of 7 public holidays, pro rata), flexible working opportunities and a contributory pension scheme. We also provide additional comprehensive benefits including cycle to work scheme; access to a credit union and a cash health care plan-including an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

This is a permanent role of 35 hours a week, to be worked flexibly, including some weekends/evenings. The selection process will include seeking PVG Scheme/Disclosure information.

To support the Service Manager/Assistant Director in the operational management and leadership of the service(s) to achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and families, and to deputise in the Service Manager’s absence or as delegated by the Service Manager. To provide professional leadership and management to staff and volunteers, ensuring that children and young people are safeguarded and protected.

To ensure children, young people and families receive timely and appropriate services based on identified needs and outcomes which are planned and reviewed. To provide direct support and/or therapeutic work with children, young people and their families as required for the service. Direct/practice element work will reflect specific local service strand.

To champion the participation of children, young people and families ensuring their active participation in the planning and evaluation of service delivery in accordance with Children First Participation Standards.

To ensure the gathering of core data using Microsoft Dynamics allows us to identify the children and families we are working with and supports our understanding and ability to articulate their needs; to ensure that all work is ‘outcomes’ as well as ‘outputs’ focused, and is delivered in accordance with Service Level Agreements or other agreed contracts.

To contribute to sustainability both internally and externally including the involvement in production of high-quality tenders and reporting on funding. In conjunction with the service manager, to produce and monitor the annual service budget.

To support the Service Manager with the day-to-day people and resource management of the service, including ICT and property resources, as appropriate. To develop and maintain consistent and meaningful internal communications practices.

To make constructive use of internal support and supervision processes, and take responsibility for continuous professional development. To undertake mandatory and relevant internal courses as required. To ensure quality assurance is visible and work is appropriately monitored, and that there is compliance with Children First internal standards and relevant legislation/external standards.

To maintain responsibility for Health and Safety as delegated by the service manager. To provide direct line management and support and supervision for a team of operational staff and volunteers including recruitment, induction, effective performance management, and learning and development.

To promote a culture of continuous learning and development and provide advice, guidance, training and consultation services to colleagues across the charity, and to staff working in partner agencies. To participate in Children First’s influencing and policy strategies supporting colleagues across the charity as required.

To represent Children First at external events and activities, working constructively with a range of external agencies and promoting the service to external partners and key stakeholders both locally and nationally. To establish effective communication channels both internally and externally with colleagues across the charity and partner agencies.

Children First is Scotland’s national children’s charity. We stand up for every child because all children should have a safe childhood. We protect children from harm and support them to recover from trauma and abuse through our national and local services. We help children, their families and the people that care for them by offering emotional, practical, and financial support. We give children hope and a safer, brighter future. Our core values guide how each one of us works in our individual day-to-day job:

• With love, we put children first.
• With purpose, we transform children’s lives together.
• With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.

These values are reflected in everything we do. If you share our vision and values and would like to join our team then we would love to hear from you.