Head of Service

Main Duties

1. To take responsibility for developing, monitoring and reviewing effective strategies in our service delivery teams, taking into account internal pressures and the resources available as well as budgetary restrictions and our focus on achieving good outcomes for children
a. Consulting with service teams to design effective approaches to delivering CFAB’s Strategic Plan and improving outcomes for children and families requirements across service areas and against budgets
b. Liaise with fundraising team to help create case for donors to fund any shortfall in service funding, demonstrating good knowledge of donor-funded projects
c. Generate new ideas for products and services to achieve better outcomes for children with an international factor in their background, pricing services to cover core costs or working with the fundraising team to generate donations for the service
d. Report challenges, opportunities and changing trends to Board Policy & Practice committee, together with the CEO
e. Lead and drive a culture of high-quality practice, professional accountability and continuous improvement across our services, embedding evidence-based practice and ensuring that services deliver safe, effective and measurable outcomes for children and families
f. Review and monitoring of operational delivery, service standards, practice quality, performance indicators, outcomes and impact data across teams
g. Provide effective leadership, supervision and professional development of 5 – 7 direct reports, adhering to the charity’s standards on performance management
h. Ensure appropriate professional guidance, practice oversight and specialist support are available to teams across the full range of service areas.

2. Lead and be accountable for performance and financial reporting to ensure that the senior management team has regular and detailed reports on service performance and budget spend.
a. Play an active role in the Senior Management Team, forging strong relationships with senior management peers to facilitate informed discussions and effective decision-making, contributing to organisation-wide planning, service development and the effective use of resources
b. Participate in cash flow forecasts and monthly budget monitoring meetings.
c. Account for under/overspends with relevant stakeholders (senior management team, trustees or external funders)

3. Ensure high standards of practice, effective management oversight and continuous improvement in outcomes for children across all services.
a. Lead quality assurance, reflective practice and coaching to strengthen practice and improve outcomes for children and families
b. Identify and respond to changes to legislation and government policy and adapt CFAB services accordingly, working closely with CFAB’s Policy lead.
c. Ensure all services are consistent with CFAB guidelines and Social Work England Codes of Practice

4. Lead and support a positive, inclusive and effective working culture in which staff are well managed, professionally supported and able to develop their skills and expertise.
a. Provide regular, high-quality supervision that supports reflective practice, professional development, wellbeing and accountability. Report challenges and opportunities to Board Policy & Practice committee, together with the CEO
Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in leadership and service delivery, reflecting on practice and seeking opportunities to deepen understanding of the experiences of children and families from diverse backgrounds.
5. To be adaptable and willing to take on new roles and responsibilities as the services of CFAB develop in response to the changing needs of children and families, the wider social care landscape and CFAB’s strategic priorities.

Person Specification
Essential

• Social work qualified with significant statutory experience and a strong understanding of safeguarding, statutory responsibilities and social work practice with children and families.
• Significant experience at senior management level in a related service area, such as alternative care, kinship care, fostering, Family Group Decision Making or another relevant area of children's social care.
• Proven track record of successful and consistent achievement in leadership, delivering sustainable service improvement and excellent results.
• Experience of working effectively in partnership with a wide range of internal and external bodies, including both statutory and non-statutory organisations.
• Evidence developing and implementing improvements in policy, practice and service delivery..
• Experience of strategic planning and implementation at management level.
• Experience of reviewing and improving service delivery, including how services are structured, resourced and managed to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Knowledge and understanding of policy and operational issues confronting the range of disciplines within our operational area.
• Thorough and up to date understanding of social work legislation, statutory obligations and public sector issues which affect the provision and delivery of a quality service.
• Knowledge of the strategic challenges facing local government and children's social care services
• Understanding of social work practice when working with refugees, migrants and children on the move
• Understanding of the challenges involved in cross-border social work, including safeguarding children whose family members live overseas and exploring safe family-based care options across international borders.
• Ability to apply innovative thinking and judgement to initiate and manage change in strategic and operational issues to meet targets and desired outcomes
• Ability to operate an effective performance management framework, including service planning, target setting and performance appraisal to drive up standards
• Familiarity with outcome and impact measurement and its use to inform service development and improvement
• Understanding of the wider sector and budgetary context within which service responsibilities are to be fulfilled
• Adaptable management style to lead change successfully
• Ability to use evidence, performance information and feedback to identify opportunities to improve service quality, efficiency and outcomes for children and families.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical plans, ensuring services are appropriately structured, resourced and managed to deliver them.

Experience of leading service or organisational change, with the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and growth, develop new approaches and support teams through change.
 

Desirable
1. Senior membership of a relevant professional body / a qualification that supports and develops the skills and abilities required for the post.

Additional Requirements
1. Participation in evening and/or weekend events, networking and meetings, as required by the role
2. Ensuring adherence to necessary legislation e.g. Data Protection Act, Health and Safety Act and relevant safeguarding and information governance requirements.

For more information about this role please visit CFAB's website by following the link in the 'to apply' section below.