SWRK 865 - Operations Manager (Children and Families)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for two full-time Operational Manager posts in Children's Services in the Hamilton and Rutherglen Cambuslang localities. 

As an Operational Manager you will review, transform and improve professional practice, governance and quality assurance within the team. With a background working in statutory Social Work, you should possess a high level of professional knowledge and experience to enable you to make a positive contribution to partnership working and the promotion of Social Work values and standards. As a key member of our management team, you will be responsible for initiating and delivering operational and strategic priorities, reviewing team performance, and driving forward continuous improvement. 

We are in the process of a Service Re-design where Relational, Strength and Rights based practice viewed through a trauma lens is at the heart of all we do. As such we embrace exciting and contemporary approaches to Social Work practice and welcome experienced and innovative Social Work practitioners and managers. We recognise that staff are our greatest asset, and as such reflective practice and professional development are at the heart of our learning culture. We operate in line with workload management and supervision policy, and especially welcome applications from relational practitioners or managers who will provide high support, accountability and governance to our staff group.

Applicants should have a good knowledge of The Independent Care Review findings, the recommendations in The Promise, The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and 2014, C.A.R.M., Child Protection and Looked After and Kinship Procedures. An ability to work in partnership with other agencies, families and the community is essential.

The successful candidate will provide support and supervision to staff and be responsible for the day to day operations of  fieldwork services . You will chair operational meetings including Team Around the Child, Looked After Reviews, Initial Referral Discussions  and a range of Child Protection and C.A.R.M. meetings in line with your role profile. 

Both localities prioritise statutory Social Work. These priorities are aligned to South Lanarkshire Council’s Service Plan; The Promise Plan 24-25; The Children (Scotland) Act 1995; The C&YP (Scotland) Act 2014; Children (Care and Justice ) (Scotland) Act 2024; The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024; GIRFEC and Roadmap for Creating Trauma-Informed and Responsive Change: Guidance for Organisations, Systems and Workforces in Scotland (2023), supported by the National Trauma Transformation Program.

If you wish to discuss further please contact yvonne.lynch@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Hours: 35 per week

Vacancy: Permanent

Salary: £50,878.21 - £55,659.45

View the Operations Manager (Children and Families) job profile

When completing the application process please ensure that you cover the following areas:

• Your experience of working with vulnerable children and families using GIRFEC and Child Protection frameworks.
• Your ability to operate within a fast-paced environment with competing demands. 
• Your ability to promote a positive culture within a team. 

Your experience of working collaboratively with others to improve a service. 

Please Apply online - All correspondence will be via your email address.

Please note we do not accept CVs, any submitted will be disregarded.  If you require to submit additional information to support your application, please upload this under supporting documents.  

Legislative Information

This post is excepted in terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 2003.

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children and adults.

Preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check, prior to a formal offer of employment being made.

Please refer to http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk for further information about the disclosure process and best practice.
 

Foreign Police Check

Candidates should be able to detail any gaps in employment and provide a foreign police check where applicable for any periods living or working abroad.

Equal Opportunities and Armed Forces Community Covenant

South Lanarkshire Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and encourages applications from all members of the community. As a user of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum competency/behaviour requirements for the position.

South Lanarkshire Council is committed to providing support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families which is set out in the Armed Forces Community Covenant.  Veterans are guaranteed an interview who meet the minimum requirements for the position.