At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of Family Group Decision Making to support children and families.
- Company: Join Sandwell Children's Trust, a family-focused organisation dedicated to improving lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, flexible working, and a strong pension scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with exciting career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading innovative family-led practices.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services and a passion for family-led decision making.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Sandwell Childrens Trust,
At Sandwell Children's Trust we strive for excellence to improve the lives of children. Our
'Sandwell Deal', brings together our new improved offering that make Sandwell Children's Trust a great place to work; it also sets out our expectations of you as a member of staff.
What we can offer you
- Generous annual leave of up to 31 days, plus 5 additional days for long service recognition.
- Your birthday off paid in addition to annual leave entitlement and 8 Bank Holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas.
- You will receive a generous local government career average pension scheme with employer contributions of 21.6%.
- We recognise individual loyalty with service awards from 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years onwards.
- Flexible working patterns that suit you and all of our roles have well-defined career progression.
- We provide competitive expenses for both mileage (55p per mile) and subsistence, plus access to a comprehensive employee benefits scheme.
With the work that we have done so far and with the ambitions we have for the future, it’s a really exciting time to join Sandwell Children's Trust and to become part of our ‘Sandwell Family’.
- Please visit The Sandwell Deal via this hyperlink https://sandwelldeal. co. uk/
- Permanent - 37 hours per week
- Fixed term for 12 months
About The Role
We're seeking an experienced and motivated leader to drive the development and implementation of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) across Sandwell as part of the national reforms in children's social care.
This is a critical leadership role focused on ensuring that children, young people and families are supported to identify strengths, make plans, and access support through wider family networks at the earliest opportunity.
The successful candidate will lead the strategic development of the FGDM model, embedding family-led approaches that promote safety, strengthen family relationships and reduce the need for statutory intervention wherever possible.
Working across the Families First Partnership Programme, you will be responsible for ensuring that FGDM is fully integrated within the local Family Help system and that practice is aligned with the Families First reforms and national expectations.
Whilst good progress has already been made, we are looking to recruit someone skilled, knowledgeable and passionate who can continue to drive improvement at pace, champion relational practice and achieve better outcomes for babies, children, young people and their families.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the implementation and development of Family Group Decision Making across Sandwell.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership to ensure FGDM is effectively embedded within Family Help and Children's Social Care services.
- Develop strong multi-agency relationships to promote a whole-family approach and maximise family participation in decision-making.
- Champion strengths-based and relational practice, ensuring children and family networks are at the centre of planning and decision-making.
- Oversee service development, performance and quality assurance arrangements for FGDM delivery, alongside the Intervention Service Manager Support workforce development and practice improvement, ensuring staff and partners understand and effectively utilise the FGDM model.
- Monitor impact and outcomes, using evidence and learning to drive continuous improvement.
Contribute to the successful delivery of the Families First Partnership Programme and national reform agenda.
About You
This role requires a confident and experienced leader with a strong commitment to family-led decision making and relational practice.
You will be able to demonstrate
- Significant management experience within children's services, early help, family help or statutory social care.
- Extensive knowledge and understanding of Family Group Decision Making and family-led approaches.
- A strong track record of leading service transformation and delivering practice improvement.
- Experience of working effectively across organisational and partnership boundaries.
- Excellent communication, influencing and leadership skills.
- The ability to work strategically whilst maintaining a clear focus on outcomes for children and families.
- Experience of implementing change programmes and embedding new ways of working.
- Working as part of Families First programme team, come and join an enthusiastic team with the passion and drive to improve outcomes for children in Sandwell.
- This is a fast-paced and rewarding area of work, with a significant focus on implementing the Families First reforms ahead of April 2027.
When people join the team at Sandwell they say it feels like they become part of the family... they have #Come Home To Sandwell.
With the work that we have done so far and with the ambitions we have for the future, it’s a really exciting time to join Sandwell Children's Trust and to become part of our Family.
Sandwell Children's Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people.
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Family Group Decision Making Lead in Oldbury employer: WMJobs
West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is an exceptional employer that champions a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering employees the chance to make a tangible impact in the public sector. With a strong focus on professional development and growth opportunities, WMCA supports its staff in navigating the complexities of local governance while fostering a dynamic environment that values innovation and adaptability. Located in the heart of the West Midlands, employees benefit from a vibrant community and access to a range of resources aimed at enhancing their career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Group Decision Making Lead in Oldbury
✨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 WMJobs.
✨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 WMJobs!
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✨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 WMJobs 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 Family Group Decision Making Lead in Oldbury
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 WMJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to WMJobs! 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 WMJobs
✨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.
