Head of Service - Children And Families (Children With Disabilities, Family Support and Strategy)

Information

This vacancy may be based at our Glasgow Office however we can be flexible and are open to blended working.

At CrossReach we’re a charitable organisation that puts people at the heart of everything we do.  From caring for older people, children and families and the homeless to supporting those with learning disabilities, we’ve been delivering innovative social care for 150 years.  And as one of Scotland’s largest social care providers, we have 65 services and 1,800 employees across the country.

 

As a member of our Corporate Services team you’ll be helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society live safer, fuller and happier lives.  Our values driven culture means we are accepting, respectful and compassionate to both our service users and employees.  So, join us and you’ll be part of a professional environment with a range of development opportunities and a generous benefits package.  It’s a career that will enhance both your life and the lives of vulnerable people across Scotland.

This post will involve remote working with frequent travel across the West Region and some travel across Scotland.

Main Function

To hold operational responsibility for our services to children with disabilities and early years while also having a strategic responsibility across the whole of children and families to build capacity and connections.

To improve the lives of children and families by ensuring the provision and development of high quality services for children with disabilities and their families which meet needs. (Mallard, Garratt and Go2)

To take lead responsibility in the development of the Early Years and family support service based in Govanhill. (Daisy Chain) 

To work with the Director to inform and agree the strategic direction of the wider children and families services directorate.

To identify opportunities for the development of family support across the whole of children and families which is asset-based and enables families to stay together.

Main Duties

1. To be responsible for the overall leadership and co-ordination of specialist services for Children with Disabilities and Early Years with direct managerial responsibility for the Managing Co-Ordinator.
2. To devise and enable strategic initiatives across Children & Families in the development of family support within existing services and to identify opportunities to extend to new areas of work aligned to the Promise.
3. To ensure that all Services meet relevant legislative requirements, adhere to CrossReach policies and procedures and meet any grant or tender specifications.
4. To ensure, through monitoring and evaluation activities, that all services meet the practice standards laid down by CrossReach or funders and offer the highest standards of care to service users.
5. To have budgetary responsibility for services to liaise with Finance Business Partner on the preparation monitoring and control of budgets and be accountable to the Director for overall budget performance.
6. To develop and maintain an effective network of relationships with all key stakeholders relevant to the specialist area (eg voluntary, statutory, private sectors, local and wider church).
7. To understand and be involved in the development of the strategic direction of the organisation.
8. To understand and be involved in the development of the strategic plan for Children & Families and the monitoring of the progress of the plan.
9. To work in partnership with the Children & Families Senior Management Team and key Adult Service Managers to identify opportunities to work jointly to develop or strengthen services in order to meet need.
10. Align research, national outcomes and evidence based best practice to enhance service delivery.
11. Support the Director to work proactively with relevant Scottish Government teams, local authorities, HSCPs, umbrella organisations and cross party working groups.
12. Promote service user involvement with children, young people, families, carers and communities in order to develop and improve services.
13. Work collaboratively with the Fundraising Team to identify opportunities for future funding and income generation.
14. To support as required with tendering or grant related activity across Children & Families.

GENERAL

1. To undertake duties in relation to CrossReach Policies and Procedures such as Complaints, Discipline & Grievance, Health & Safety and Safeguarding as required.
2. To prepare and present reports for the Council Committees, CMT and Senior Management Team (SMT) as required.
3. To be a member of the SMT undertaking relevant tasks and responsibilities within and on behalf of the group.
4. To undertake speaking engagements on behalf of CrossReach.
5. To promote Health & Safety awareness and compliance throughout the area of responsibility.
6. To undertake such other duties as may be required by the CEO.
7. To demonstrate and share Christian love and support including sharing with others the leading of worship in accordance with CrossReach policy and by ensuring all staff meetings are opened with prayer and Bible reading.

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant degree, diploma or social care qualification or demonstrable equivalent experience.

Personal

As we do our work in Christ’s name the job you have applied for requires you to have a Christian faith and be able to work within and uphold our Christian Ethos (this is an ongoing occupational requirement under the Equality Act 2010).

This post requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

1. Experience of managing and developing services for Children or Young People.
2. Experience of undertaking strategic activities and prioritising operational work tasks autonomously.
3. Experience of creative problem solving and use of initiative.
4. Effective communication both verbal and written with the ability to persuade and influence others.
5. Postholder must possess basic computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the internet.