team case Manager/social worker

Purpose of Job

To be part of the Senior Management Team which is responsible for undertaking comprehensive assessments with vulnerable children and their families in a residential setting, applying the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000) and adhering to Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023).

Further, to supervise and oversee a team of Family Assessment Workers, providing on hand support and advise as well as supervisor oversight, review of performance and to provide a high quality and dependable standard of service which meet our organisations values and standards.

Background

Dudley Lodge is a UK registered non-profit making organisation established in 1895, we are one of the leading Family Assessment Centres in England and Wales. The whole emphasis of our organisation is to safeguard children.

We have been conducting quality Family Assessments for over 30 years and over two sites: Coventry and Birmingham.

Our purpose is to provide the Courts and other relevant parties concerned with the safeguarding of children, a range of high quality, independent assessments, interventions and services regarding referred parents/carers' abilities to keep children safe, and to assess their capacity and potential for promoting children's continuing wellbeing.

Effectiveness Areas

1. Senior Management Team Membership

2. Family Assessment

3. Staff Management

Duties & Responsibilities

Senior Management Team Membership:

Main Responsibilities:

To assist and support the Centre Managers and Executive Team members in the management of the Centres and the staff,

To develop in conjunction with the Centre Managers and Executive Team, a safe, structured, learning environment which is based on the values and standards of behaviour of Dudley Lodge as set out in the Dudley Lodge Way,

To look for opportunities to improve existing practices. To establish and maintain appropriate liaisons with other professionals.

To represent Dudley Lodge at community/professional functions and to promote its services

Family Assessment:

Main Responsibilities:

To ensure that the child's immediate welfare is afforded paramount consideration,

To conduct assessments which fall within the 'Working Together documents' protocol,

In conjunction with the Centre Managers and members of the Executive Team, develop existing policies and procedures, service provision and resources,

To case manage up to three families (community based or residential) at any one time and provide cover for any absent Case Manager,

To be responsible for undertaking comprehensive assessments taking a leading role in: -

?? Constructing an 'initial' baseline (2-4 weeks) assessment

?? Undertaking comprehensive parenting/risk assessments that inform other professionals and the court, long term recommendations in relation to the welfare and safety of a child

?? Devising, implementing, supervising and evaluating work programmes incorporating direct interventions which will inform your final recommendations

?? Completion of reports and finalising the assessment process making decisive recommendations

To work with parents/carers, social workers and relevant others on Pre-placement plans, work programmes and interventions which address identified needs. These would include:

?? Teaching parenting skills and practices

?? Assessing child and family interaction and parental ability

?? Construction and testing of hypotheses regarding family functioning and needs

?? Providing structured feedback to parents/carers

?? To monitor and evaluate the effects of any such intervention on a child's emotional and physical wellbeing.

With others, to represent the organisation at Court, providing written and verbal evidence as required.

To understand and implement Birmingham, Coventry Child Protection and Adult Protection policies and procedures as appropriate

In relation to residential placements - to manage the relevant arrangements for accommodation of families prior to admission to the Centre, including health and safety aspects, equipment, staffing and other resources as appropriate

To meet deadlines for submission of written reports and prioritise workloads effectively within established timeframes.

Staff Management:

Main Responsibilities:

To manage a staff team (numbers to be agreed dependent upon experience), effectively and efficiently. This will include: -

?? Responsibility for the quality and standards of service provision,

?? Developing and managing a Performance Management process for the staff team,

?? To provide 'on-call' advice, guidance and support for staff members, on a rota basis in conjunction with other Case Managers,

?? To provide training/mentoring/supervision to develop and sustain standards of performance and service,

?? To work on own initiative and judgment whilst actively engaging as a team member with co-workers,