At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop outstanding permanency practice for children in Lambeth's social care.
- Company: Join Lambeth Children Services, a diverse and supportive community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, up to 35 days leave, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Exciting role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while promoting innovation and creativity.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in social care or related fields.
The predicted salary is between 61000 - 65000 £ per year.
Overview
Agency Advisor & Permanence Lead
PO7: £61,686 rising in annual increments to £64,938 pa incl. LW
Permanent / Full Time
Hybrid Working, 3 days a week in office
About Lambeth Children Services
Lambeth is a borough of huge diversity, strength, and possibility. Lambeth is home to approximately 63,000 children aged 0-18, representing nearly 20% of our borough’s population. Our Lambeth partnerships have the highest ambitions for our children and want them to grow up to be happy, safe and thriving in supportive communities. We have a rich network of good and outstanding schools, a passionate voluntary community sector and an exciting youth and play offer. Children growing up in Lambeth are surrounded by beautiful green spaces and a borough with a rich history, arts, and music scene.
Job purpose
The role provides the central operational and advisory leadership for securing effective permanency for children across Lambeth Children’s Social Care and acts as the designated operational interface with Adopt London South Regional Adoption Agency (RAA). It is the statutory Agency Advisor role providing quality assurance and advice to the Agency Decision Maker, ensuring permanence for children is at the heart of decisions and that practice is sound and outstanding. The postholder will ensure Lambeth Adoption and Fostering services are of outstanding quality and compliant with the Adoption and Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards and Statutory Guidance. The role includes collaboration with the RAA, partner Boroughs and Lambeth Children’s Social Care workforce to develop shared practice, procedures and pathways.
What you will do
- Lead and develop outstanding Permanency practice across Lambeth children’s services, providing leadership and advice to frontline social work staff, managers, Panel Chairs and Panel Members on changes in permanency and panel policies, procedures or other developments.
- Act as the designated lead for supporting and developing permanency practice and effective relationships, frameworks, guidance and permanence pathways.
- Provide leadership and advice to teams in delivering and implementing changes in permanency and panel policies.
- Coordinate with the Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) and partner Boroughs to develop shared practice, procedures and pathways.
- Collaborate to ensure there is effective practice relationships and an integrated approach to permanence planning.
About You
You must have the skills and qualities of a service leader, problem solver, and the ability to maintain calmness in difficult conversations about effective permanence for Lambeth Children. You will bring energy, enthusiasm and passion, with tenacity to lead, shape and develop a team, bringing creativity and innovation to the way we work. You would be the central operational and advisory role for securing permanency and act as the interface with the RAA.
You will be the statutory Agency Advisor providing quality assurance and advice to the Agency Decision Maker, ensuring permanence for children is at the heart of decisions and that practices are of outstanding quality and compliant with regulations and guidance.
You will collaborate with the RAA, partner Boroughs and Lambeth Children’s Social Care to develop shared practice and pathways to ensure effective working relationships. You will lead, support and develop permanency practice across Lambeth, providing leadership and guidance to frontline staff and panels.
A message from The Assistant Director
This is an exciting role at the heart of our improvement programme. The successful applicant will be a competent, confident and curious practitioner who promotes innovation, creativity and continuous improvement. You will support senior managers by advising on permanency strategy, policy and service direction, and translate quality assurance feedback into service delivery. You will keep senior management informed of issues and develop action plans as needed.
If you have any queries, please contact the Assistant Director: Andrews Osei, AOsei1@lambeth.gov.uk
Why Lambeth
- Fantastic, modern working environment in the award-winning Lambeth Town Hall and Civic Centre buildings
- Competitive Salaries
- Up to 35 days annual leave, dependent upon continuous service
- 5 Minutes from London Underground and excellent transport links into the centre of London
- Cycle to Work Scheme (including City Bike Hire scheme)
- Attractive Local Government Pension Scheme
We are a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at the DBS website. In addition, you may be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information can be found here.
Please note we operate an anonymised application process. If you are uploading your CV or a personal statement, please remove personal details and replace with your unique candidate application number.
Interested?
Click the Apply button and complete an online application form evidencing your experience and understanding of contextual safeguarding and community working, and how you meet the criteria marked with an “A” at shortlist stage, along with uploading your CV.
Closing Date: 2nd of November at midnight
Lambeth aims for quality services and equal opportunities for all and is committed to safer recruitment
Seniority level
- Mid-Senior level
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Human Resources
- Industries: Government Administration
Agency Advisor & Permanency Lead in City of London employer: London Borough Of Lambeth
Lambeth Children Services is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment in the heart of a vibrant borough. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and a commitment to employee development, we foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, ensuring that our staff are equipped to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Our modern facilities and strong community partnerships provide unique opportunities for professional growth and engagement in a diverse and thriving setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Agency Advisor & Permanency Lead in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around permanency practices and community engagement.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on articulating your leadership style and problem-solving skills, as these are key for the Agency Advisor role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Lambeth Children Services.
We think you need these skills to ace Agency Advisor & Permanency Lead in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and personal statement to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Agency Advisor & Permanency Lead. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading and developing outstanding permanency practice, be sure to include examples of your leadership experience. We want to see how you've motivated teams and driven change in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like permanency.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you'll find all the details you need to complete your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough Of Lambeth
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of the Agency Advisor & Permanency Lead role. Familiarise yourself with Lambeth's policies, procedures, and the latest developments in permanency practice. This will show that you’re not just interested in the job, but that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in social care settings. Think about times when you’ve led a team through change or improved practices. This is crucial for demonstrating your ability to guide frontline staff and collaborate effectively with partners.
✨Be Ready for Tough Conversations
Since the role involves navigating difficult discussions about permanency, think about how you would handle sensitive topics. Prepare scenarios where you’ve successfully managed challenging conversations, showcasing your calmness and problem-solving skills.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Lambeth values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve worked with various stakeholders in the past. Highlight your experience in developing shared practices and building effective relationships, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
