Service Manager and Designated Social Care Officer for SEND and Children with Disabilities in Social Care

We are seeking to recruit skilled, experience and enthusiastic, and dedicated Service Manager/Designated Social Care Officer (DSCO) to join our team. This is an exciting time to join Bury and become part of a highly motivated, skilled, and experienced senior management team who are leading change that will improve services to children, young people and their families and improve outcomes for them. This Service Manager/DCSO role will strategically lead the social care elements of the SEND strategy and action plan across children's social care, and they will also oversee operational delivery of a safe and effective children with disability service. Key to success will be the ability of the post holder to negotiate with and influence others, build and nurture effective partnerships, working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders across the local authority and creating opportunities for co-production. Bury are the first local authority within the Greater Manchester area to implement and pioneer Hertfordshire's Family Safeguarding model. This is a providing a fantastic opportunity to change the way we work with children and families to achieve the best possible outcomes for the children of Bury. Working with the responsible Heads of Service and Director for Social Care and Early Help you will have operational oversight and drive practice development and improvement of children and young people in need of help and protection and children in our care and care leavers. At Bury we strive to be 'Brilliant at the Basic's' and require strong leaders to develop the core principles of Social Work Practice. You will lead on exciting an innovative project within Bury as part of our practice improvement journey. You will have a sound understanding and ability in relation to effective management practices, particularly as they relate to service planning and performance management and development of services and staff. Driving Licence is essential. We strive to provide a supportive and dynamic work environment for our employees with a strong focus on support, training and development, health, and wellbeing. We are a small authority with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, and we would love for you to come and join our Bury Family! This is all part of Bury's big commitment in relation to their corporate strategy Let's Do It!

The Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare or children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Appointment may be subject to a satisfactory disclosure at the appropriate level under the Disclosure and Barring Service. In line with safer recruitment, please ensure that your application/CV covers your full employment history and there is a reason noted for any gaps in employment. Successful candidates will be asked to provide relevant references for the past ten years and character references will not be accepted. As a Corporate Parent, ensure that the work and services you deliver considers our care experienced young people, promotes their life chances empowers them to influence the policies, services, and decisions that affect them, champions their rights, and ensure they grow up in the best possible way At Bury Council, we're not just a workplace we're a close-knit community committed to empowering both our residents and our employees. As part of our team, you will enjoy a supportive and rewarding environment where your professional growth is nurtured and celebrated. We support employees to work with agility, where appropriate for the post and service requirements, splitting your time between the office, home, and the community. We are committed to Bury being an equal society that recognises values and embraces all people, regardless of any difference, for the skills, abilities, and experiences they bring into the workforce and the wider community. Therefore, we guarantee an interview for disabled people, looked after children/ care leavers, armed forces personnel (including reservists and veterans) and carers of adults or disabled children if they meet the essential criteria. Plus, we believe in recognizing your hard work with exclusive rewards and benefits, including:

• 37-hour full time working week with a range of opportunities to work flexibly which we are happy to discuss
• Pay increases in line with your continued professional development and opportunity to earn more through taking on additional responsibilities such as Practice Educators and Advanced Mental Health Practitioners.
• Focused Investment on Values and Behaviours through Our 'Let's Do It Strategy' to maximise Organisational and Community Engagement
• Nurturing training programmes available, including Aspiring Managers Programme and accredited Best Interests Assessor training and opportunities to develop new and specialist skills.
• Highly competitive local government pension scheme
• Greater Manchester Combined Authority continuous service commitment.
• A range of flexible and adaptable working initiatives to maintain a healthy work life balance
• Re-imbursement of the annual £90 Social Work England registration fees (conditions apply).
• Free parking where you work - worth £860 a year for qualified Social Workers who work from town centre locations where there is no ready access to free parking, plus car mileage.
• Supportive integrated teams and a friendly working environment, working within the exciting Family Safeguarding model of practice.
• Professional supervision to a high standard.
• 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after 5 years), plus an additional day of leave over the Christmas period and the option to buy an additional 10 days on top of that.
• Employee discount scheme which provides discounts with local business within the borough as well as a cycle to work scheme, car lease scheme and chance to purchase a range of goods with the costs taken from your salary over up to 2 years.
• Employee Assistance Programme, to support you through challenging times, with things like free counselling, financial or legal advice.
• Refer a Friend Scheme where we offer you £150 for the successful completion of your friend's probation period.