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- Tasks: Lead and support a team dedicated to Special Guardianship families, fostering creativity and collaboration.
- Company: Join a passionate team focused on making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Fixed-term role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful work.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of families while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in a supervisory role are essential.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on teamwork and community support.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Special Guardianship Lead to join our Special Guardianship Post Order Support Team! This role will involve fostering creativity in developing the team's new chapter of more direct support to Special Guardianship families, offering tailored packages of support and encouraging their engagement at Special Guardianship events. Our objective is to cultivate a network of Special Guardians who can complement and support one another in times of need.
This essential position offers professional expertise and guidance to a team of Family Practitioners and other social work colleagues on matters related to Special Guardianship. This will also include working in partnership with external services/agencies. The post is fixed term for 9-12 months.
You will:
- Provide reflective supervision, coaching and support to Family Practitioners in their work with Special Guardians.
- Provide oversight and reflective support to the Welfare Rights Officer in their advisory role to Special Guardianship families and other professionals.
- Show creativity in supporting the team to develop Special Guardianship services and ensure timely, effective and purposeful interventions Post Order.
- Support the team in triaging referrals and to appropriately assess the needs of Special Guardians and identify the right package of support for them.
- Oversee and offer advice regarding ASGSF applications and SG annual reviews.
- Act as the lead professional where there are stability concerns.
- Manage and allocate resources for the team, including making decisions about non-statutory service thresholds.
- Work collaboratively with the Kinship Team Managers to improve knowledge and practice related to all areas of the Kinship Service, and where required deputise in their absence.
You’ll have:
- Relevant professional qualification in Social Work and Social Work England registration.
- Experience in a supervisory or leadership role within Social Work, an approach to leading others utilising restorative practice principles is also essential.
- Sound knowledge of Special Guardianship/Kinship Care and related legislation.
- Ability to work collaboratively with organisations is key as are excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to problem solve is essential in this role given the competing demands and deadlines.
- Experience in completing risk/needs assessments and support plans will be key to supporting others in their interventions as well as ability to make defensible, safe decisions.
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and families and have the necessary skills and experience, we would love to hear from you. Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 9 February.
Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.
Special Guardianship Lead employer: Staffordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Staffordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Guardianship Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the team and the role inside out! Research the Special Guardianship Post Order Support Team and understand their goals. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn or at events. They can provide insider info about the team culture and what they value in a candidate, which can give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the responsibilities of the role, especially around supporting Family Practitioners and working collaboratively. Practice your responses to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to support Special Guardianship families.
We think you need these skills to ace Special Guardianship Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for making a difference in the lives of children and families. In your application, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted others in similar roles.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight your relevant experience and skills. We want to know how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Special Guardianship Lead role.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep your language clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Staffordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Special Guardianship and Kinship Care. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation and recent developments in the field. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your passion for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or provided supervision. Highlight how you’ve used restorative practice principles to support others, as this is crucial for the Special Guardianship Lead position.
✨Be Ready to Problem Solve
Think of scenarios where you had to make tough decisions or solve complex problems. Be prepared to discuss your thought process and how you prioritised competing demands. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the challenges of the role.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just wait for questions; engage with the interviewers by asking insightful questions about the team and their goals. This shows your interest in the role and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values.
