Senior Manager - Learning Disability & Complex Needs in Shiremoor

This role involves steering a flexible, responsive service within our Ways to Wellbeing model, emphasising evidence-based interventions. You will play a key role in enhancing our established social work services and collaborating with health sector colleagues. Our mission is to partner with individuals to ensure their well-being and safety, fostering their independence for as long as possible.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and manage the learning disability, transitions and shared lives services efficiently and effectively, ensuring they meet quality standards.
• Deliver services that are responsive, personalised, outcome-focused, and that promote independence.
• Enhance choice and control for people with care and support needs, and their carers.
• Work closely with service users, carers, professionals, and providers.

We are looking for a dynamic leader who:

• Is adaptable to change and committed to delivering personalised outcomes.
• Has experience in multi-agency or cross-agency work at a management level.
• Has managed teams within health or social care services.
• Is skilled in managing complex budgets while maintaining service quality within financial constraints.
• Holds a professional qualification in a health or social care discipline and is currently registered with the relevant professional body.
• Demonstrates ongoing personal development and a commitment to learning.

This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within our community. If you have a passion for leadership in social care and a track record of success, we encourage you to apply.

About us

Our People First strategy is our promise to make North Tyneside Council an exceptional place to work, where everyone can thrive and flourish. A place where people want to work, where joining our team is an exciting prospect, staying with us feels like a great decision, and building your career at North Tyneside Council is a natural progression.

As part of our People First strategy, we are committed to creating a workplace that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are fundamental to our success and the well-being of our employees and residents. Our goal is to foster an environment where everyone feels welcome, safe and valued.

If you are passionate and committed about making a difference and want to work somewhere where you can make positive change, we will provide the right environment for you to excel.

Alongside our People First strategy, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and adults at risk of harm. All staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment and to familiarise themselves with all relevant policies, procedures and guidance. Within North Tyneside, safeguarding is everybody's business.

Job responsibilities

• Direct Management and supervision of Team Managers and shared lives and the learning disability service.
• To support the Head of Service in providing advice to the DASS, Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team on strategic and operational issues facing adults at risk of harm.
• Lead on robust transition planning for young people transitioning to adult learning disability services.
• To work as a member of the Adults senior management team in developing strategies, policies and plans to achieve better outcomes for users and carers.
• To have in depth understanding and knowledge of the Care Act 2014.
• Ensure regular two-way communication and engagement with teams.
• To ensure staff are high performing and clear on objectives through one-to-one supervision and the IPR process.
• To develop annual service and improvement plans that are based on achieving outcomes for adults with reference to identified performance indicators.
• To enable the team to perform to high standards and encourage personal development, flexibility, and responsibility.
• Ensure self and team have the highest regard for customer service, whilst effectively managing the demand for services.
• To use appropriate communication methods to deliver corporate messages to employees and deliver on promises.
• Lead on external projects with the ICB and Local Trusts.
• Maintain and develop strong collaborative working practices with children services and SEND.
• To maintain and develop strong collaborative working practices amongst the workforce and multi-agency partners.
• Use specialist knowledge to develop plans, activities, and processes to ensure best practice and to meet Council objectives.
• Consider the impact of actions on wider Council initiatives.
• Communicate with a range of stakeholders in the application of the role.
• Inputs into the development of corporate policy.
• To take a proactive approach to continued professional development and keep an up-to-date knowledge of legislation and best practice within own specialist area.
• Directly manage, monitor, and control budget spending for a substantial amount and play a key role in budget setting.
• Directly contribute to Mid Term Financial Planning and implement changes associated with this.
• Working at a senior level within the Authority and alongside the Senior Managers across all directorates, the Senior Manager will provide professional advice, support, and guidance on Adult Social Care Services, especially when legislated within the Care Act.
• To support and facilitate consultation with employees, Elected Members or members of the public.
• To be part of the out of hours senior management rota to give management oversight and advice on critical decisions and make immediate safeguarding decision to the Councils out of hours.

Person Specification

Experience

• Ability to solve problems using relevant principles and experience from within a specialist field.
• Sound understanding of Health and Social Care Legislation and current Policies and Guidelines and their underpinning principles.
• Experience in working effectively with other agencies and professionals.
• Ability to relate to a wide range of people, including clients, colleagues and other agencies.
• Ability to plan, determine goals, establish and implement plans of action, communicate them effectively and delegate.
• Excellent IT skills and the ability to promote and lead the use of IT.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Time management / organisational skills.
• Flexible and responsive approach to a fast-changing working environment.
• A pro-active approach to change, with an ability to think laterally to find solutions to difficult problems.
• Understanding of the cultural needs of different service user groups.
• Experience in developing innovative processes bringing education, health, and care systems together.
• Ability to lead a number of specialist teams.
• Ability to influence, develop and motivate, and to successfully change behaviour.
• Experience of project management techniques.
• Minimum 5 years leadership/supervisory experience within a statutory social care setting.
• Evidence of enhanced knowledge of the relevant client group(s).
• Experience of developing and implementing performance management systems.
• Experience of supervising/managing people and developing teams.
• Experience of negotiating and managing potential conflict and achieving successful resolutions.
• Experience of successfully co-ordinating services for people with complex needs.
• Experience of successful partnership working with external agencies.
• Experience in co-production at operational and customer level.

Knowledge

• Expert knowledge and application of the relevant legislation, statutory responsibilities and guidance relating to Care Act 2014 including appropriate quality standards and practice guidance.
• Expert knowledge of the main provisions of: Mental Health Act 1983 (2007) Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• Good knowledge and understanding of legislation and the national agendas relating to: Ordinary Residence, No Recourse to Public Funds, Children's Act 1989 and future amendments, Mental Capacity Act.
• Experience of working at a management level within a social care role.
• Experience of managing diverse teams including performance development.
• Experience of partnership working with other agencies.
• Experience of development and implementation of strategies, policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of standards of conduct for Elected Members.

Qualifications

• Social Work, Occupational Therapist or Nursing qualification.
• Registered with either SWE, HCPC or NMC.
• Evidence of post qualifying training.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.