At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a diverse team to support children and families through effective triages and assessments.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a champion for refugees and migrants in a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, excellent training, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for professional growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a social work qualification and experience in safeguarding practices.
The predicted salary is between 37338 - 44962 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
We are looking for an inspirational leader for the Family First Contact Point (FFCP) Team. The appointment will be for a Social Work qualified Team Manager who will promote the use of evidenced based practice to support positive outcomes for children. Your role consists of supporting staff to complete high quality triages and assessments that meet the FFCP criteria for new referrals. Additionally, you will support the Family Practitioner to fulfil our duties in contributing to EHC assessments. The FFCP also hosts the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) service, and the postholder will be required to provide cover for LADO duties as required.
In the role of team manager, you will be a key member of our leadership team. You will manage a diversified team including advanced practitioners, social workers and a family practitioner. You will be responsible for the professional development of your staff and will lead on practice improvement and development in your team. The FFCP Team Manager will work closely with colleagues across the service and partnerships to ensure practitioners are undertaking high quality triages and quality assessments. You will be a skilled and reflective leader with a clear vision of what good practice with children, young people and families looks like. You will also need to be willing to work in new and innovative ways to ensure our families receive the right help at the right time. You will undertake LADO duties where required as part of the wider FFCP service.
The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership skills and be able to inspire, motivate and support the team. Have excellent technical knowledge and experience of statutory safeguarding practices, for children in need of help and protection.
What’s in it for you? Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
We are looking for people to join our team who:
- Value the importance of communication and seeking feedback.
- Can inspire and motivate those they work with, manage and lead.
- Are committed to developing their skills and expertise to deliver an excellent service.
- Are professionally curious and value thinking slowly and calmly in a balanced way.
- Work inclusively, collaboratively with others recognising their strengths.
- Take responsibility and make a positive contribution by focusing on solutions.
- Are transparent, are appreciative in enquiry, reflect and learn.
In return, we’ll offer excellent development opportunities, plus a range of benefits that includes a career average pension scheme, paid parking on site for social workers and senior social workers, flexible working, a generous leave entitlement and the opportunity to make a real difference to our local community.
The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Relevant social work qualification is needed. Social Work England registration is required for this job. The job is subject to a DBS check (Enhanced).
Diversity: Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.
Team Manager, Family First Contact Point employer: Lewisham Youth Service
Lewisham Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation in the heart of Catford. Employees benefit from a hybrid working model, professional development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the community through strategic procurement initiatives. Join us to be part of a team that prioritises value for money while fostering growth and mentorship within the procurement sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager, Family First Contact Point
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Lewisham Youth Service.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Lewisham Youth Service!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Lewisham Youth Service, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Lewisham Youth Service or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager, Family First Contact Point
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Lewisham Youth Service:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lewisham Youth Service! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lewisham Youth Service
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
