At Cheshire East we’re offering a rare opportunity to help shape the strategic direction of a system in transformation and to play a defining role in the next chapter for children and families in Cheshire East as we build something special, to last.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Service – Practice, Workforce and Quality Assurance (Principal Social Worker), based at Delamere House, Crewe. Providing the strategic leadership for social work practice, workforce planning, quality assurance and professional development across Children’s Services.
The role ensures that practice, sufficiency, and quality frameworks comply with legislative, statutory and inspection requirements, and that the workforce is stable, skilled, and supported.
The post also acts as the statutory Principal Social Worker, representing and championing the voice of social workers in senior forums and influencing service design, delivery, and improvement.
The role will work collaboratively with other professionals and organisations to achieve best practice in social work.
The role will influence decision making and service delivery at senior management level, providing challenge where necessary, in partnership with the Directors, Executive Director for Children’s Services (statutory DCS) and Lead Member for children’s Services.
This role supports the Council’s key vision and values and provides a key role in provision of outstanding services for local residents. The role will directly contribute to following Council Priority Plans.
- Budget and financial management
- Transformation Plan
- Children’s Services Improvement Plan
- LGA Peer Challenge.
In this role you will lead on
- The development and implementation of practice frameworks, standards and models across all service areas
- Quality assurance strategy, development of frameworks and cyclical learning systems.
- Workforce development strategy, workforce sufficiency planning and recruitment and retention programmes.
- Inspection readiness activity, self-assessments and improvement planning with senior leaders.
- Development and maintenance of children’s social care policies and procedures
- Social Work health check
- Contact with higher education institutions, regional PSW networks and national bodies
What you’ll bring
- Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England
- Advanced social work qualification and management qualification or equivalent leadership experience.
- Extensive experience in Children’s Social Care with a strong delivery record at senior level.
- Extensive experience working with multi-agency partners and with children in need or at risk of abuse / neglect, including deep knowledge of child protection and cared-for children.
- Demonstrable ability to deliver high-quality services, advice and guidance and to prepare for statutory inspections
- Commitment to equality, diversity and anti-racist practice and adherence to health and safety requirements.
To arrange a confidential conversation about this post prior to application, please contact Karen Potts (executive assistant to Dawn Godfrey, Executive Director Children’s Service) on 01270 686275 or [email protected].
Cheshire East Council is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults across the Borough. As such, any cautions, convictions, reprimands or final warnings that are ‘not protected’ as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) order 1975 (as amended in 2013) relating to the non-disclosure of spent convictions do not apply to this job. You must therefore, disclose whether you have any previous convictions where prompted to do so within the application process.
