Team Manager – Family Solutions Service, Mid Essex in Chelmsford

The 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 team works on a consent‑based model, supporting families for up to 12 months (with the possibility of extensions) and is built on the Supporting Families model of practice. Within the Chelmsford area, the team is based in Galleywood and consists of a Practice Supervisor, Social Worker and Family Workers who are alternatively qualified and come from a range of multi‑disciplinary backgrounds.

The Team Manager leads the team, developing and promoting capabilities and holding them accountable for performance and delivering improvements. Working with the Service Manager, the Manager contributes to the development of strategy and ensures a service which adapts responsively to change. With proven ability to focus on results, develop innovative solutions and build strong working relationships, this leader will possess a deep understanding of working in a challenging social and financial environment.

• 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, where a social work perspective is used to inform and drive decision making.
• 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.

• A recognised social work qualification i.e., 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 a vehicle or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements of the job, and to provide reasonable adjustments where necessary. We also commit to interview all veterans and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements of the role.

Employees receive benefits including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate carers’ needs.