About this role
Job summary
An opportunity has arisen in our Integrated Disability Service (IDS) Team for a Head of Service to oversee the social care component of the service. Our IDS service comprises two teams of social workers who carry out all statutory social work functions for people with complex needs relating to learning disability. As the Head of Service, you will oversee the principal managers to manage these teams, providing operational and social work practice advice. You will also have responsibility for managing the social care and staffing budget, as well as the performance of your service. The Head of Service role also plays a key role in the Local Authority management structure, and you will need to lead on development and improvement work in the service. It is therefore essential that you have experience of leading on change and development. You will also work closely with your health colleagues who are co-located with your service and be expected to work closely in partnership to improve outcomes for the people we support and their carers.
The role is offered on a secondment basis for twelve months.
In return, CWP offers a full range of benefits including access to leadership and other specialist training. Through our close links with the Local Authority, we also provide bespoke training on a wide range of statutory issues.
This role will involve remote/hybrid working, however there will be a requirement to work from the office on certain days.
Main duties of the job
As Head of Service you will need to ensure that all work carried out by social work staff is compliant with statutory guidance and good practice. You will need to authorise support plans ensuring that the person's outcomes are being met and the service provides value for money for commissioners. You will need to have an excellent knowledge of the Mental Capacity Act and be able to support and direct staff with their practice, alongside our legal colleagues. Experience of attending court would be helpful with regard to supporting the practice of others. The role also includes developing and implementing new ways of working to improve outcomes for people,
You will also be responsible for managing you staffing budget and team performance metrics ensuring that supervision, appraisal and training of all of your staff is up to date. The Head of Service post has close links to our Local Authority commissioner's senior leadership team and you will be expected to contribute to these meetings and to also play a key role in all internal governance structures including contract meetings.
About us
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.
Job description Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: [email protected] or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Relevant professional qualifications at Masters Level Post graduate management qualification or relevant experience Demonstrable evidence of continuous professional development
Knowledge Essential
Up to date knowledge of modern service delivery and national plans for health and social care Commercial focus and understanding of business requirements of the Trust Understanding of project management methodology and approached Understanding of service improvement tools and techniques Knowledge of workforce policy and process Knowledge of corporate governance policy and process Budget management Understanding of regulations and legislation that govern health care delivery
Skills Essential
Operational planning and performance management Ability to identify, evaluate and support continuous development of services Highly developed communication skills that include, influence, negotiation, empathy and good written communication Confidence and ability to have difficult conversations addressing concerns promptly Ability to plan, ensuring 'golden thread' between strategy and operational deliver plans Ability to prioritise and re-prioritise as plans change, remaining flexible and resilient whilst doing so Decision making skills including evaluation of decision making To know when to appropriately escalate and to delegate Ability to think flexibly and innovatively Ability to own and lead change IT Skills - Microsoft office applications Report writing and presenting Inspiring and motivating others to change Tackling under / poor performance Undertaking challenging / difficult conversations Ability to work independently on highly sensitive and contentious issues Coaching style of management
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details Employer name Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address Millennium Centre
Twickenham Road
Leasowe
CH46 1PQ
Employer's website https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)