Jobs

We are looking for a Team Manager to join our Fostering service. 

In Durham we strive to keep our children within their family, if at all possible and the Connected Carers team is pivotal to this.
  
WHAT IS INVOLVED? 
The Connected Carers Team is a busy team and supports our Connected Carers from initial viability through to post panel support, for as long as they are connected foster carers. The team completes viability assessments, Full Fostering Assessments (Form C), SGO assessments, foster carers supervision, unannounced visits and Foster Carer Reviews.  
 
As one of four team managers in that team you will be responsible for the support and supervision of staff, quality assurance of a variety of reports, performance management and representation of the team and the Fostering Service in a variety of meetings and settings.   
 
You will be expected to provide high quality, reflective supervision.  You will also help Social Workers to make decisions based on observations and analysis, always ensuring the safety of the child and that their needs will be met.

You will need to have a good knowledge of the regulations and standards that govern foster carers and understand the challenges often faced by Connected Carers. You will also need to understand the implications to both the child and the carers if timescales aren’t met.   
 
We encourage you to contact Jenny Rowan via email at Jenny.Rowan@durham.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion about the role.  
  
HOW WILL I BE SUPPORTED? 
We are passionate about social work in County Durham. We are committed to providing a culture where good practice can flourish. We ensure our social workers are highly supported and encourage flexible working to achieve a good work-life balance.
 
You will benefit from a range of training opportunities and professional development through personalised induction, professional supervision, and mentoring.
 
Take a closer look: https://www.durham.gov.uk/childrenssocialwork
  
This post is eligible for a recruitment/retention allowance of £2,500 over 12 months (pro-rata for part time workers). Payments are made in equal instalments across a 12-month period alongside your pay. The allowances are subject to tax, National Insurance and pension contributions.

WHAT WILL I NEED? 
You will need a Degree in social work or equivalent social work qualification, e.g. Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work (PDDipSW); Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW); Diploma in Social Work (DipSW); Certificate in Social Services (CSS) and current Social Work England Registration
 
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. 
 
If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure. 

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING 
Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Children’s Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with children.
 
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on 12th October 
 
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
 
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website
Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
 
HOW TO APPLY 
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted.
Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application.
 
If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentCYPS@durham.gov.uk
 
All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
 
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Company: Durham County Council

Salary: Grade 14, £51,928 - £56,293

Location: Seaham, Durham

Sector: Health and Social Care

Sector: Social Care

Job Role: Support Worker