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- Tasks: Lead and support a team dedicated to Special Guardianship families, fostering creativity and collaboration.
- Company: Join Staffordshire County Council, a community-focused organisation making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and access to professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families through innovative support.
- Qualifications: Must have a relevant social work qualification and experience in a leadership role.
- Other info: Fixed term position with excellent career growth potential and a commitment to diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about Kinship Care? We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Special Guardianship Lead to join our Special Guardianship Post Order Support Team. Staffordshire County Council is looking to foster 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, and will include working in partnership with external services/agencies. The post is fixed term for 9-12 months.
Main Responsibilities
- 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.
The Ideal Candidate
- Relevant professional qualification in Social Work and Social Work England registration.
- Experience in a supervisory or leadership role within Social Work, with an approach to leading others utilising restorative practice principles.
- 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 the 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.
Contact for Further Information
For further information about this role please contact Chloe Ottley, Team Manager at chloe.ottley@staffordshire.gov.uk or Nicola Hope, Head of Service nicola.hope@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Interviews
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.
About Staffordshire County Council
We are no ordinary county council. Our Values: The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively. Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy. We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.
Our benefits
We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire.
Our recruitment process
As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities. As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post. As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.
Special Guardianship Lead in Stafford employer: WMJobs
Contact Detail:
WMJobs Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Special Guardianship Lead in Stafford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Staffordshire County Council on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in Kinship Care. Show us your passion and knowledge about Special Guardianship – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, especially around leadership and support strategies. We want to see how you’d handle real-life scenarios with Special Guardianship families.
✨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 team!
We think you need these skills to ace Special Guardianship Lead in Stafford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Make sure to express your passion for Kinship Care in your application. We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission to support Special Guardianship families.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Tailor it to highlight your relevant experience and skills, especially in supervisory roles and working with Special Guardianship. We want to know what you can bring to the team!
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and get straight to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read.
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 info you need about the role there.
How to prepare for a job interview at WMJobs
✨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
Since this role involves supervising Family Practitioners, be prepared to discuss your leadership style and experiences. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team or implemented restorative practices. This will demonstrate your capability to guide others effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about past situations where you had to triage referrals or assess needs under pressure. Be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your decisions.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team’s vision for Special Guardianship services and how they measure success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
