At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in safeguarding children and enhancing service delivery.
- Company: Join Hertfordshire's innovative Children's Services team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a supportive management structure.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualified with proven leadership experience in multi-agency settings.
The predicted salary is between 61443 - 68775 € per year.
We are seeking an innovative and experienced social work manager to join the Assessment Service as our MASH Service Manager, leading the Gateway.
About The Team
The Gateway is Hertfordshire Children’s Service’s countywide front door where contacts and referrals for children are considered and triaged. The Gateway includes around 50 Children’s Services staff who work across two Multi Agency Safeguarding Hubs, one Early Help Pod and our Social Care Advice Pod EHCP (SCAPE) providing bespoke and meaningful social care advice for Hertfordshire’s children who are not open to a social care practitioner to support their education health care assessment. Colleagues from health, police and probation are co-located and work in strong partnership, including information sharing and joint decision-making.
About The Role
The role of a MASH Service Manager is responsible for the overall high performance and running of the Gateway.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the overall performance and operation of the MASH Gateway service
- Build and maintain strong strategic partnerships with multi-agency professionals (health, police, probation)
- Work collaboratively within a co-located multi-agency team supporting joint decision-making and information sharing
- Oversee daily performance data and ensure timely, lawful information sharing
- Report into and be accountable to the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership MASH Executive
- Manage and support 3 direct-report Team Managers, fostering strong leadership across the service
- Create a positive, unified culture where practitioners feel valued, supported, and empowered
- Promote high standards of practice, professional accountability, and a culture of learning
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy environment with opportunities for professional growth
- Embrace innovation and technology to improve service delivery and referral processes
About You
Essential:
- Social Work Qualified and registered with Social Work England
- Full UK driving licence and regular access to a vehicle
- Proven leadership and management experience (including managing/leading managers or teams)
- Strong experience of working within a multi-agency environment (e.g. health, police, probation, or safeguarding partnerships)
- Excellent knowledge of safeguarding practice and multi-agency decision-making processes
- Demonstrable ability to manage service performance, including use of data to drive improvement
- In-depth understanding of lawful information sharing (including data protection and safeguarding legislation)
- Strong strategic thinking and ability to contribute at senior/partnership level
- Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
- Ability to lead and maintain a positive, high-performing team culture
- Experience of supporting and developing staff, promoting accountability and continuous learning
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
- Experience of working collaboratively with partner agencies to improve outcomes
- Confidence in driving service improvement, transformation, and use of technology
This is an exceptional development opportunity to join Hertfordshire's Assessment Service. We welcome you bringing creativity and flair, and we will consistently support you within our high performing management structure.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
This job role is Level 14.
To hear more about this opportunity please contact Caroline Ash - Head of Assessment (07977 14277 / caroline.ash@hertfordshire.gov.uk) for an informal discussion about the role.
Interview Date: 16th June (Face to Face - Stevenage Office)
How To Apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Additional Information
Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding: This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving Required: You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency: The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
MASH Service Manager in Stevenage employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Hertfordshire Children's Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for the MASH Service Manager role. With a strong emphasis on professional growth, collaboration, and innovation, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. The hybrid working model and strategic partnerships with health, police, and probation agencies further enhance the unique advantages of working in Stevenage, fostering a culture of shared learning and high performance.
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land MASH Service Manager in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about the MASH Service Manager role. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching Hertfordshire's Children’s Services. Understand their values and recent initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you've led teams or improved service delivery. Being able to share these experiences confidently will set you apart during the interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace MASH Service Manager in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the MASH Service Manager role. Highlight your leadership experience and any multi-agency work you've done. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. This helps us see the value you can bring to our team.
Craft a Compelling Covering Paragraph:Use the short covering paragraph to give us a snapshot of who you are. Share your passion for social work and how your experiences align with our mission at StudySmarter. Make it personal!
Proofread Before You Submit:Before hitting that submit button, give your application a thorough proofread. Typos and errors can distract from your qualifications. We want to see your best self, so take the time to polish it up!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a MASH Service Manager. Brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding practices, multi-agency decision-making processes, and the importance of data protection. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams or working within a multi-agency environment. Think about times when you’ve fostered a positive team culture or driven service improvements. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the Gateway effectively.
✨Build Rapport with the Panel
Interviews are as much about personality as they are about qualifications. Practice your interpersonal skills and be ready to engage with the interviewers. Show them that you can build strong relationships, which is crucial for this role, especially when collaborating with health, police, and probation services.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This could be about the team dynamics, the challenges the Gateway currently faces, or how success is measured in this role. It shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
