Joining Children’s Social Care at Cheshire East Council means becoming part of a progressive, supportive and forward-thinking service that is dedicated to make a difference of the lives of children and young people. We pride ourselves on putting children and young people first and helping them become the very best version of themselves possible.

Our working culture is people focused ensuring every team member is supported and provided with all the tools needed to thrive in their role. We have competitive benefits, flexible work-life balance and a focus on health and wellbeing ensuring that you can achieve your career aspirations and goals whilst maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

By joining us you will be part of a council that is helping to build brighter futures for the children and families we serve, where you can make a lasting memory on the lives of others every day.

An exciting opportunity has become available to work within the Child in Need and Child Protection Service based at Macclesfield Town Hall. The position is for 1 FTE (37 hours) per week 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday. 

About You 

We are seeking to appoint a candidate with experience of being a Team Manager or an experienced Social Worker ready to take the next step into management. 

We are seeking a candidate who is keen to use their creativity to deliver high quality child focussed practice to ensure the best outcomes for the children and families that we work with. We have a focus on building relationships to understand the context of a family and their family dynamics to work together in coproducing effective support plans. 

In this job you will - 

1. Interview, observe, assess and evaluate information in order to produce a holistic assessment of the needs of children and families and determine appropriate methods of intervention in line with statutory guidance.

2. Identify the parenting capacity, family and environmental factors and the need for protection to ensure a balance of risk with protective factors in order to effectively target resources.

3. Devise written plans for intervention and /or care for children and their families, including Child Protection Plans to ensure focused social work interventions and the management of risk to children.

4. Research findings and statutory guidance and provide and present concise reports about complex information in line with evidence based social work practice to meet the requirements of the Local Safeguarding Board, the Court and other regulations.

5. Manage a complex and high- risk workload and build professional relationships with children and their families to safeguard children and promote positive outcomes.

6. Communicate effectively with children and their families to ensure their views and wishes are heard and provide written reports about their circumstances and plans for intervention.

7.Manage the Social Work pod, prioritise and allocate tasks, provide guidance, direction, motivation and support to ensure effective services to children and their families.

8. Provide professional supervision to social workers and children’s practitioners to ensure accountability for social work practice and assist with the professional development of staff within designated practice standards.

9. Liaise and work with other agencies and promote joint working in line with statutory guidelines to ensure an integrated approach and multi-disciplinary working for the benefit of children and their families.

10. Manage budgets for the commissioning of services and authorise cash payments to families in line with Financial Regulations to ensure value for money and appropriate assistance to families.

11. Manage the child’s record using Cheshire Easts recording system, provide aggregated information and statistics and share information with other agencies in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act to promote the welfare of children.

12. Contribute to the development of social work policy and procedures to ensure that services best meet the needs of children and families.

13. Ability to analyse performance data, motivate and mobilise staff to ensure that performance targets are met and maintained consistently across the service.

To find out more about the essential and desirable criteria for the role please view the attached job description specification document.

In return we are able to offer:

• Enhanced annual leave - Start with an impressive 34 days of annual leave (including bank holidays) from day one, and watch it grow to 39 days after just five years of service
• Purchase of annual leave – Want more time off? You can purchase up to 10 extra days of annual leave each year, giving you the flexibility to balance work and life just the way you want (Pro-rata for part-time staff)
• Flexible working pattern - Enjoy a 37-hour standard full-time work week with the added perks of flexi-time and hybrid/remote working arrangements where possible. Your work-life balance just got a whole lot better
• Salary sacrifice green car scheme - Drive green and save green! Lease a brand-new electric or hybrid car through our salary sacrifice scheme. There’s no credit checks, no deposits, just significant savings and exclusive offers on a three-year lease
• White goods salary sacrifice scheme - Upgrade your home with ease. Purchase home and electronic items through our salary sacrifice scheme, spreading the cost of big-ticket purchases like appliances, computers, and tech gadgets directly from your salary
• Enhanced public pension - Secure your future with our career average pension, where contributions are built at a rate of 1/49th of your yearly pensionable pay
• Cycle to work scheme - Save up to 25-39% on the retail price of bikes and safety equipment through Income Tax and National Insurance savings. Get fit and save money!
• Employee assistance programme - Access a completely free and confidential assistance service to help manage, reduce, and overcome life’s challenges, both at work and in your personal life
• Discounted gym membership - Stay active and healthy with corporate membership prices for Everybody Leisure, including:
• Gym, Swim and Group Fitness at all 16 facilities
• Off-Peak Racket Sports
• Athletics Tracks
• Sauna/Steam/Spa

Join us and experience a workplace that truly values and supports you!