Team Manager – Family Solutions Service, North Essex

Fixed Term contract / secondment opportunity – 12 months

Full Time, 37 hours per week

£55,892 to £69,241 per annum

Location: Colchester

Working Style: Fixed-base worker

Family Solutions Service is an intensive Early Help intervention service for families with multiple needs at a complex level who require family support, but whose needs do not meet the threshold for statutory intervention. The service operates on a consent‑based model, working with families for up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension. Eight operational teams cover the county; this team serves the Colchester area and is based in Greenstead. The model of practice builds on a ‘key worker’ approach that works with the whole family, partnering with the right partners at the right time. The team comprises a Practice Supervisor, Social Worker and Family Workers, who come from a range of multi‑disciplinary backgrounds.

Accountabilities

• Lead a team of social workers and family workers to deliver a high quality professional service with positive outcomes.
• Accountable for individual performance, quality assurance, resources, and budgets.
• Accountable for the practice of social workers and family workers within the team, providing professional and practice supervision, using available tools to address underperformance, and coaching to enhance the quality of the practice.
• Responsible for the development of individuals to maximise the capability and performance across the team.
• Responsible for the oversight and quality assurance of a range of family assessments and plans.
• Responsible for responding to complaints and other feedback from families in accordance with policy and in a way that fosters positive relationships.
• Lead inter‑agency collaborative working by establishing and developing effective approaches to integrated working with partners, communities, and the voluntary sector, to achieve successful outcomes for families.
• Develop the training and tactical service delivery plan for the team.
• Use expertise and professional knowledge to provide advice and guidance for complex cases in line with legislative and organisational standards.

The Experience You Will Bring

• A recognised social work qualification (Diploma, degree or Masters in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent) with current registration with Social Work England.
• Evidence of continuing professional development, aligned to any relevant Professional Competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.
• Significant experience within a Social Care setting with evidence of challenging social and family situations.
• Experience of supervision of Social Workers/Family Workers, possessing strong leadership and behavioural skills, with the ability to forge a highly performing and motivated team from diverse backgrounds, to deliver local objectives and work to required professional standards.
• Experience of working within a complex environment and leading change to ensure the Council delivers best practice.
• Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies, and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children and their families.
• Evidence of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond. A driving licence and car or alternative means of meeting the mobility requirements of the role is essential.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Disability confident and inclusive recruitment: Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. The Council commits to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the job under its Job Interview Scheme and to provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process.

Veterans and Care Leavers: The Council also commits to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role.

DBS Check: As part of employment, if a DBS check is required you will be required to register with the DBS update service and maintain it. The DBS update service is an annual subscription and you will be responsible for ensuring it remains up to date.

All candidates are expected to embrace the Council’s code of conduct, Nolan principles, and commitment to integrity and ethical behaviour throughout the recruitment process.