Main purpose of the job role:

* To provide effective help and protection to children, young people, families and carers, and help them to achieve positive outcomes.

* To undertake effective assessment, planning and direct work to safeguard children and young people and to meet their needs, and the needs of families and carers.

* To practice social work in a transparent, accountable and safe way in accordance with professional standards and ethics.

* To be practice leader, and to lead the development of high quality of practice and service delivery within the team.

* To support all frontline practitioners in the team, and to be aware of and manage performance within the team.

* Responsible for ASYE Social Workers, and Child and Family Officers (pending Social Work qualification)

Leading People

* To develop practice within teams through oversight and quality assurance of practice, observations of practice and appraisal.

* To be responsible for the professional supervision, guidance, reflective practice and support to social work staff within the team.

* To provide accessible and visible leadership for the team, and be the first point of contact for advice and guidance.

* To support and develop individual team member's knowledge and skills in line with Walsall Children's Social Care practice frameworks and methods.

* To facilitate regular Group Supervision and practice development opportunities within the team, and to develop a culture of learning and evidence-based practice.

* Work collaboratively with the Practice Development Coordinators to ensure consistency of good social evidence informed practice across the service.

* Champion restorative and relational practice within their team and service, including motivational interviewing skills.

* Deliver training sessions and workshops to support the development of effective, consistent social work practice across the service.

Horizon Scanning

* To deliver services within the team for children, young people, their families and carers, in line with legislation, guidance and local policy and procedures.

* To make complicated decisions relating to social care service provision for children, young people and their families within Walsall.

* To act for the Team Manager as appropriate in representing and developing the service, and in contributing to the management of services across Children's Social Care.

* To develop practice expertise and specialist knowledge, and engage with stakeholders across the sector bringing best practice back to Walsall.

* To support collaborative working with children, young people, families, carers and partner agencies.

* To chair and attend key practice meetings, and to be available to support members of the team as required.

* To support the Team Manager to review the work of the unit and service delivery, initiate new developments and any other changes as appropriate

Managing Resources

* To effectively manage delegated budgets and effective use of resources within the team, utilising best value principles.

* To ensure that thresholds for service intervention have been met.