Unit Coordinator

**KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES**:
1. To set up and maintain systems and processes to enable the smooth running of the social work unit, ensuring that the work of the unit is co-ordinated and well organised.

2. To act as a first point of contact for enquiries to the unit, some of which may be complex and/or contentious, from other staff, members of the public, or other agencies. To answer queries where possible, and to take messages for members of the unit or direct the caller to another source of help.

3. To take phone calls or receive office visits from children and families known to the unit, dealing sensitively with families who may be in distress.

4. To ensure diaries and appointments for members of the unit are co-ordinated and accessible.

5. To organise meetings and arrange venues for members of the unit and maintain follow up and bring forward systems to alert members to forthcoming meetings and appointments.

6. To maintain systems of key statutory requirements for children as directed by the Consultant Social Worker/Practice Development Manager, for example child protection visits, children’s reviews etc., ensuring that members of the unit are aware of due dates in advance.

7. To service the weekly case planning meeting ensuring papers are prepared, relevant professionals are invited to specific case discussions and accurate records are kept for each child discussed.

8. To take minutes of other professional meetings, some of which may be at other venues, including families’ homes.

9. To be aware of children’s and families’ circumstances and to keep up to date on developments within cases, in order to be equipped to answer queries from children, families, staff or other agencies as directed by the Consultant Social Worker/Practice Development Manager.

10. To collect and aggregate management information about the work of the unit and produce regular reports as directed by the Consultant Social Worker/Practice Development Manager.

11. To undertake research or special projects on behalf of the unit as directed by the Consultant Social Worker/Practice Development Manager.

12. To ensure financial payments to families are efficiently managed. To raise purchase orders (paper and electronic) as requested and ensure appropriate authorisation for payments. To implement and operate procedures relating to financial matters in accordance with the Council’s procedures and to ensure all transactions are authorised and recorded e.g. travel warrants, local orders, petty cash, vouchers.

13. To arrange transport and other appointments for families, for example children’s medicals, as directed by the members of the unit.

**EXPERIENCE**

**1.** Experience of managing competing priorities and demands, work methodically and think systematically to achieve targets and meet deadlines.

**KNOWLEDGE**

**2.** Knowledge of statutory requirements of Children’s Social Careand an understanding of the priorities, context and sensitivity of the service provided to vulnerable children and their families.

**3.** Knowledge of the Data Protection Act and the need to respect the confidentiality of vulnerable children and their families.

**SKILLS ANDABILITIES**

**4.** Good organisational skills and the ability to create and sustain systems to co-ordinate work processes.

**5.** Customer focussed with excellent communication skills including the ability to deal with members of the public and staff in a sensitive and appropriate manner.

**6.** Ability to understand and retain information about children’s cases including the roles of different agencies in meeting the needs of vulnerable children and their families.

**7.** Ability to be creative and solution orientated when coordinating and organising tasks through influence rather than authority.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Temp to perm
Contract length: 5 months

**Salary**: From £17.30 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee stock ownership plan
- Free parking
- Gym membership
- Life insurance

Ability to commute/relocate:

- London, E8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

**Education**:

- A-Level or equivalent (required)

**Experience**:

- Customer service: 6 years (required)
- Administrative experience: 6 years (required)
- Children’s Social Care: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: evry953366