The Head of Service for Practice Improvement will strategically drive and deliver the Practice Improvement plan. They will work within the Centre for Practice Excellence, with the Principal Social Worker and will report directly the Director of Children's Care.

To support the implementation of organisational changes modernisation and transformation to deliver good quality practice and improved outcomes for children in the town.

To manage 8 interim Practice Leaders to deliver this work.

To support the Directors and the Head of Strategic Services through an appropriate performance management framework to manage, monitor and improve practice in Early Help and Social Work services.

To support the Directors and the Head of Strategic Services to prepare for Ofsted monitoring visits and inspections.

To provide social work expertise to the organization, bringing new ideas and innovation.

To work with the PSW and Practice Leaders within the Centre for Practice Excellence and alongside the workforce, supporting practice improvement priorities.

To work with key stakeholders to drive their contribution to practice for children in the Town.

Transformation service delivery:

Principal responsibility for the innovation, development, implementation and review of agreed transformation plans that support the Council's plans to improve social work practice.

To develop, assist and support the culture of transformation and its positive ethos throughout the Council and the partnership.

To support the Director in developing and securing approval of new strategies and plans for improving services along with demonstrable, tangible efficiencies and fiscal improvements which contribute to and are consistent with the Council's overall aims and objectives for improvement.

Research and develop new practice models.

Lead on agreed programs of system re-design which improve practice across the Directorate.

Leadership and direction:

Act as a strategic leader in the Directorate senior management team.

To have direct line management of staff where required by the DCC

To set the culture and ensure that Middlesbrough's corporate vision and values are embedded, along with the vision and values of the Directorate.

To offer matrix management to operational staff where required on agreed projects.

Working relationships and external partnerships:

To support the Council's vision and priorities.

To interface with partners including the Police, Health, Education to support delivery against key improvement objectives.

Responsible for ensuring there are effective working relationships and liaison with all Heads of Service, Service Managers and stakeholders involved or impacted by transformation. Ensure that these relationships make a positive contribution to the service and that opportunities for joint working arrangements are maximised.

Performance:

Motivate, lead and develop the workforce to support a culture of high support and high challenge. Support a culture of high quality service provision through strong performance management and quality assurance.

Produce, maintain and promote a strong understanding and narrative which demonstrates that we understand ourselves well, that prioritisation and decision making is made from a strong evidence base regarding the quality of provision and it is what is needed to improve the lives of children and families in Middlesbrough.

Resource management:

To lead, motivate, direct, manage and develop staff ensuring strategic and operational priorities and work plans are delivered. This may be through direct line management or matrix management arrangements.