Service Manager for Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub and Early help

Job Introduction

Help Shape the Future for Oxfordshire’s Children

About us

Oxfordshire children’s services is a family safeguarding authority dedicated to strength based working with our children and their families, underpinned by motivational interviewing, trauma informed and restorative practice. 

We received a ‘good’ judgment in our last ILACS Ofsted inspection.

Oxfordshire is a diverse county encompassing both market towns and rural landscapes, and it offers a wealth of historical sites, vibrant cultural events, and prestigious academic institutions. You will be working in an organisation that is free thinking, supportive, flexible, and helps people achieve their ambitions.  We are not afraid to do things differently and our dynamic culture means this is a place where new ideas are embraced and innovation thrives.

About the role 

We have implemented our Family Safeguarding Model across children’s services and are now developing our response to the social care reform and the Family First Government initiative.

This role will be partnership focussed as we explore to further improve our MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) and further enhance partnerships within the Family First agenda and co-design with our children, young people and their families

The Service Manager for MASH and Early Help has overall responsibility for the operational management of our Early Help, Locality Community Support Service LCSS and MASH teams. This role will be responsible for ensuring a consistent application of governing legislation and the Oxfordshire Partnerhsip Early Help and Prevention Strategy with specific responsibility for Family Hubs.  

This role will lead the operations of the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Locality Community Support Service (LCSS), working closely with children’s social care teams and partner agencies.

This role will provide leadership for and management of allocated resources to ensure and that Childrens Social Care Practice Standards and operating model of Family Safeguarding are delivered to achieve positive outcomes for children and their families.

This role will manage the performance of the MASH, ensuring that a safe, effective and timely response is provided to children and families who need both additional and specialist services, or urgent safeguarding intervention.

This role will be responsible for collaboration with partners to ensure that there is a common understanding of emerging needs/ local thresholds across the partnership, including support and challenge as required.

This role will contribute to the operational management and strategic development of the Service as a member of the Children’s Services Management Team to be inspection ready and deputise for Assistant Director’s as required.

This role will provide joint leadership of LCSS and MASH across partnership in order to promote. Early help and early intervention provide access to the right support at the right time to enable independence and reduced needs.

About you 

You will be an essential component in developing Oxfordshire’s approach to families first as well as developing our family hubs and continued promotion of early help and prevention across Oxfordshire. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate individual to join a dedicated group of service managers to provide impactful, child focussed support and interventions for our children and their families in Oxfordshire.

You’ll need a full driving licence and the flexibility to work countywide.

The post requires a recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.

You will have a proven track record in leading outcome focused services and demonstrating

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Delia Mann, Deputy Director for Countywide Services Delia.Mann@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Our Rewards & Benefits

• Relocation expenses of up to £8,000
• A good to outstanding OFSTED rating
• Regular training opportunities
• A flexible, agile organisation
• A generous local government pension scheme
• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Option to ‘buy’ additional holiday
• 24/7 access to Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer’s contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development.

How to apply

To apply, you will need to complete an online application form. This includes a section asking you to explain how you meet the requirements of the job role and selection criteria, as specified in the job description. You may attach a cover letter and/or CV to your application form; however, it is not mandatory.

If you experience any difficulties whilst completing the application form, please contact the Recruitment Team using the Recruitment Application Enquiry Form on the Home Page.

Our commitment to:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:

Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:

Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:

Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, full time and part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact: Careers@Oxfordshire.gov.uk