Service Manager

To provide effective leadership and management to a range of  teams in order to meet Directorate objectives and the strategic corporate objectives of the organisation including:

Delivery of high-quality services including assessment, care planning and review of  adults with care and support needs, adults in need of protection their families, and carers applying strength-based practice, in the context of assessed need, relevant legislation, government policy, agreed eligibility criteria, risk and Council policies and procedures.

Support the Director of Adult Social Care and Head of Adult Social Care in the strategic planning and development of services within the Directorate.

Focus on leadership, performance and quality of the Services and Directorate.

To provide high profile leadership to staff of all disciplines across the Service and ensure the presence of a culture of continuous improvement within care services putting customers and their families at the heart of the service.

The improvement of health & wellbeing for the residents of Sunderland and the delivery of person-centred positive outcomes, with the aim of improving levels of independence for all.

Engagement management of relationships with internal and external clients, promoting the development and sustainability of good quality services in the city.

To work as part of a senior management team that will identify and drive improvement activities, align/integrate the business with strategic & statutory agencies including health, service providers, voluntary sector & independent sector providers.

Be responsible for supporting the development of the market in relation to adult social care, in conjunction with commissioning colleagues, utilising a strengths-based approach to all activities within the business.

Horizon scan for policy documents, legislative changes and best practice guidance to ensure that the service is thoroughly prepared in advance of anticipated changes.

Ensure that all areas allocated adhere to statutory obligations in respect of The Care Act, The Mental Capacity Act, The Mental Health Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards / LPS and other legislation as appropriate.

Ensuring that appropriate adult safeguarding referrals are reported and managed in conjunction with the adult safeguarding team and partner agencies respectively, and may be called upon to attend adult safeguarding board meetings or it’s sub-committees as required within your area working closely with the adult safeguarding team.

Be responsible for the identification of training needs and personnel development requirements and work with colleagues to ensure that the workforce is available and suitably trained to meet the needs of a fast-changing and responsive environment

Use assistive technology and preventative tools to meet identified needs and promote independence.  Utilise a suite of solutions available throughout the business and community to promote and develop this aspect of social care.

Be instrumental in developing and implementing a multi-disciplinary social care resource across the city and promote the sharing of specialist knowledge within the adult social care infrastructure and promote a “one team” response to the residents of Sunderland.

The role includes the requirement to financially oversee an assigned budget and ensure that the Director and Head of Social Care are regularly advised how pressures are to be managed to ensure that the service is able to make the most efficient use of resources available.

Representation of Adult Social Care at Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SAR’s) and Serious Case Reviews (SCR) respectively.

Lead development projects ensuring that they are completed on-time and take part in any end to end analysis activities required to ensure that best practice and lessons learned are translated into effective operational changes.

Develop a neighbourhood-based relationship with the wider population and be an integral part of the council approach to issues affecting residents. The role will include the development of relationships with councillors and building an in-depth knowledge of local issues, resources, and promote a team response to these as well as pro-actively managing demand at the front door to promote independence and self-directed support wherever possible.

Effective input and management of performance and in depth understanding of how to use performance, data quality, management and budgetary information to improve the delivery of cost effective services that provide excellent outcomes for the residents of Sunderland.

Knowledge of the wide variety of funding streams in relation to social care to ensure that resources are used in the most efficient way possible. Including delivering on CHC, Sec 117, PHB and joint funding arrangements with the CCG and health services.

Identify clear objectives for service delivery, including management of risk, and develop and performance manage relevant action plans to ensure effective and efficient implementation

Pursue best practice and value for money within the Service through the establishment of effective systems of target setting, performance management and the commissioning of services.

To lead the Local Authorities external representation with other agencies as appropriate.

To have regular contact internal and external stakeholders and will often need to engage with them over sensitive, complex, contentious and confidential issues.

To comply with the Professional Codes of Conduct and to be aware of changes in these. To maintain up to date knowledge of all relevant legislation and local policies and procedures implementing this.

To ensure that all duties are carried out to the highest standard and in accordance with currently quality initiatives within the work area.