Service Manager

Job Title: Children’s Services Manager Department: Children’s Services Reports to: Assistant Director of Children’s Services Responsible for: Typically up to circa 8 direct reports and all staff and workers in a designated Service or cluster of services/projects. Shared responsibility for the proper engagement and support of Volunteers associated with the Service(s) Key working relationships: Internal contacts: • All relevant specialist Functions: Finance, Policy & Research, People, Premises & Facilities, CAUI, IS, etc. • Volunteering Support arrangements for Locality • Business Support & MI arrangements for Locality • Business Development staff • Safeguarding leads and related roles • Business Line colleagues as necessary External contacts: • Local Commissioning bodies and other key funding stakeholders • Multi Agencies and partners in practice • Specialist groups/forums relevant to Service delivery Children’s Services Manager Grade: B Page 2 of 6 Job Purpose: To make a real difference in the lives of Children, Young People and Families by: • Leading and managing a Service(s) to ensure a positive impact on children, young people and families through the effective and efficient delivery of Children’s Service activities and practices. • To influence and challenge actual and potential Commissioners, partners in practice, and other stakeholders, in order to maintain and develop Barnardo’s reputation as an advocate for Children, Young People and Families. Key Responsibilities: 1. Leads and manages all staff and workers in order to build and maintain a capable and motivated team. 2. Completes all required people management procedures and routines for all staff in compliance to Barnardo’s Policies and procedures throughout the employee lifecycle. 3. Undertakes specific duties, services and activities where stipulated in the Service Contract or otherwise defined and agreed with the Commissioner 4. Proactively leads and manages Contract provision, working closely with internal and external stakeholders as necessary, to ensure that progress on delivery and specified targets is monitored and reported regularly, and that any issues are addressed and resolved to the satisfaction of stakeholders 5. Collaborates with the Assistant Director of Children’s Services for the Locality to maintain and develop relationships with local commissioning bodies, and key stakeholders, in order to increase the Services reach and scope and to influence best practice in the field 6. Handles all and any representation or Complaints, from any source, in a fully compliant and professional manner to ensure that concerns are addressed, resolved and documented in line with relevant Children’s Services Policies 7. Leading and influencing on Safeguarding to ensure an active engagement is maintained in the interests of the child at all levels in the Service and that all issues are dealt with comprehensively and compliantly to Barnardo’s policy and procedures; involving all relevant external agencies and authorities as necessary. Children’s Services Manager Grade: B Page 3 of 6 8. Contributes as required to external meetings to review Contract outcomes in order to demonstrate, and promote, Barnardo’s reputation as a provider of Children’s Services 9. To proactively develop and maintain influential working relationships with key stakeholders such as commissioning teams and other agencies in order to be a respected advocate on Children’s issues and to enhance Barnardo’s reputation in the Locality Key Activities: Quality of Practice • Ensures regular supervision of practitioners, either directly and/or through direct reports assess the quality of practice and the impact made on children, young people and/or families. • When appropriate, undertakes observation of practice to identify opportunities for learning to enhance the practice of others and improve outcomes for children and young people Business Development • Works with the business development unit to provide input, expertise and knowledge to winning work and maintaining existing contracts • Work closely with the Assistant Director of Children’s Services and the Business Development Unit: o For tendering/ grant applications o To champion new and innovative ideas which improve outcomes for children, young people and families People and Learning • Acts as a role model to staff, setting a clear agenda for the service, contributing a sense of common purpose amongst all Children’s Services staff • Actively engages with staff on key aspects of the employment relationship in line with the role defined for a manager in People Policy and Procedures • Keeps up to date with developments in social care, education, health and other relevant legislation; disseminates information to staff and encourages continuing professional and career development in staff • Children’s Services Manager Grade: B Page 4 of 6 • Ensures all employees and volunteers in the locality undertake relevant/required/regulatory learning and development to meet the needs of their service users and to comply with prevailing policy and procedures. Service Quality, Effectiveness and Risk Management • Active engagement in all management planning and monitoring processes so that Performance Management and Management Reporting and Information is up to date and meaningful • Plans and monitors the budget for the Service, exercising good cost management and appropriate financial control to maintain efficiency and effectiveness • Is accountable for ensuring that Service User Recording is undertaken in line with Barnardo’s policies and procedures through regular sampling and monitoring • Proactively seeks opportunities to improve the effectiveness and quality of the locality and service delivery in order to achieve better outcomes for children, young people and families. Can evidence such impact as required to external stakeholders • Promotes a culture of safe and effective services within the locality Equality & Diversity • Is proactive in promoting equality and diversity matters; monitoring compliance to legislation, policy and practice in all aspects of the Locality’s operations and encouraging full engagement on such issues by staff, workers and volunteers • Promote good practice in equality and diversity in all working This Job Description and Person Specification reflect the duties of the post as they exist at this time. The post-holder may be required to undertake other duties commensurate with the salary and competence requirements of this post from time to time as required.