Service Manager for Children's Special Schools

Job summary

Service Manager for Children's Special Schools - hrs per week Band 8a, Fixed term - 4 months (until 31st Dec 2024)

Sutton Health and Care (SHC) is looking for an experienced, motivated and enthusiastic nurse or therapist to lead and manage the operational performance of the nursing and therapy services in Perseid and Greenmead special schools to ensure the delivery of high quality care to a range of children and young people with additional and complex needs.

This is a fixed term position until the end of the Autumn term initially.

The post holder will work in partnership with the schools' senior leadership teams to ensure that children and young people receive the care they require to support and enable them to work towards their education targets.

The successful candidate will be flexible, organised and creative with good IT skills and enjoy working collaboratively with other team members to support children and young people.

Proposed interview date: TBC

Main duties of the job

The post holder will lead and manage the operational performance of the nursing and therapy services for both Perseid and Greenmead special schools to a range of children and young people with additional and complex needs.

The post holder will be accountable to the Head of Children's Services for the operational delivery of the service, within a delegated budget, in line with SHC's strategic vision, aims and objectives. The post holder will collaborate with clinical leads with regard to strategic development, particularly to develop integrated working and to develop improved client pathways across primary/secondary care, education and social services.

The post holder will have professional and quality leadership responsibility for special nursing and therapy services.

About us

Epsom and St. Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (ESTH) provides a range of medical services to approximately 500,000 people living across south west London and north east Surrey.

We serve an area that is rich in diversity, with a mix of urban and rural areas, and differing levels of quality of life. We come some of the most prosperous postcodes in the country as well as some poorer areas. Together, with our NHS colleagues in Surrey, Sutton and Merton, we work to make sure that we deliver the best possible care to the communities we serve.

SHC was an innovative joint venture between local partner health and social care organisations, which sees community services fully integrated to support the delivery of a new model of care for the people of Sutton. Hosted by ESTH, the model ensures the breaking down of traditional organisational barriers to enable the provision of care that is wrapped around the person.

We pride ourselves in having a highly dedicated team and offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment with a wide range of staff benefits and development opportunities. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our vision and values and can play a crucial role in our ongoing achievements.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Responsibilities and Duties

Be responsible for the operational and business processes required to ensure the delivery of high quality client care, which is efficient and effective in nature resulting in a high level of client and commissioner satisfaction.

Clinical Governance

Help develop, implement and manage systems and processes for effective governance within service areas

Be the service lead for preparation for CQC inspection, embedding the partnership ambition to achieve a good/outstanding rating

Contribute to regulatory inspections as required, leading on preparation for own service

Actively promote good practice, and ensure that all practice is delivered in accordance with NICE or other guidance on good practice

Ensure service audit and evaluation takes place as required and that clinical and non-clinical staff are involved routinely

Ensure that staff maintain client and clinical records safely and to a high standard and that they are stored and accessed appropriately

Ensure that all risk is managed in the relevant frameworks

Develop, implement and maintain systems, processes and practice in risk management, including the management of health and safety

Ensure all aspects of safeguarding are adhered to and that policies and procedures are followed at all times

Ensure complaints are fully investigated and are satisfactorily resolved ensuring a proactive approach is standard as part of the Trust and Local Authority policies

Ensure that infection prevention and control procedures are fully complied with and communicated

Maintain high professional standards and codes of conduct according to departmental procedures and NMC/HCPC codes, ensuring that these are maintained by all members of the service

Support the Service and Team Leaders in the development of clinical governance initiatives and developments. This includes providing professional advisory support within area of expertise

Support the implementation of proposals outlined in the NSFs and local strategies, as agreed with the clinical leads

To undertake own clinical supervision and professional development and to act as a clinical supervisor and mentor as appropriate.

Service Development and Quality Improvement

Be accountable for implementation of service plans and leading on service development actions that arise in this context, taking account of the needs of the relevant local communities, striving at all times to promote client focused care, wellbeing, safety and social inclusion

Proactively identifying and using all opportunities to maximise benefits of integrated leadership in service improvement

Lead on the embedding of quality improvement methodologies and approaches to the everyday practice of the service

Work with clinical leads to develop care that is customer focused, non-stigmatising, accessible and responsive to local need

Assist in developing services and teams that put children and young people at the centre of their care and in control of their care

Work with the Head of Childrens Services to review current service provision and plan future service developments based on resources and client needs

Contribute to the development and implementation of optimal models of care improving the quality of services.

Financial Responsibilities

Be responsible for a defined budget, monitor budget expenditure, provide internal cost control and accurate forecasting

Manage finances in compliance with Standing Financial Instructions; plan and deliver cost efficiency savings, taking remedial action if required to meet targets

Ensure that all activity targets are met and financial penalties avoided

Work with colleagues to ensure that relationships are sustained with commissioners, Integrated Neighbourhood Teams and schools and other significant stakeholders

Ensure financial probity and that the service complies with legal requirements of the Trust and Local Authorities including the requirement to achieve best value.

Workforce and Human Resources

Provide operational line management for the workforce of multidisciplinary clinical and non-clinical staff

Ensure that all aspects of HR, including recruitment, retention and performance issues are managed in accordance with the relevant policies and procedures

Assist in appraisal and job planning as required ensuring annual and quarterly targets are achieved

Take action to ensure that teams make best use of continuing development opportunities that are in line with the business objectives and service needs

Communicate effectively with staff and ensure a communication system that provides dynamic feedback, making best use of internal processes seeking out and providing feedback from frontline staff.

Performance Management

Be responsible for achieving defined targets and standards against the key performance and quality indicators

Monitor activity levels and ensure that services meet the contractual targets

Be fully conversant with the relevant indicators and their constructions, able to analyse performance trends, identifying risk and advising the Head of Childrens Service and Chief Operating Officer

Prepare accurate performance reports as required, formulating action plans to improve performance if necessary.

Leadership and Management

Work closely with other service and team managers, professional leads, colleagues and partner agencies to continuously improve services

Be committed to ensure client/carer experience is positive, services are responsive and accessible and transitions between services are smooth and seamless

Communicate effectively with all staff, recognising the need for good information during periods of change

Ensure management of staff is consistent with the Trusts HR policies to the achievement of equality, equity and optimum performance

Ensure performance issues are dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner and following the Trusts policies and procedures where formal action is necessary

Complete annual appraisals for all staff which reflect priorities and ensure staff have access to appropriate training and development

Communicate regularly through team meetings and meetings with individuals and provide opportunity for feedback

Ensure the benefits to children and young people are maximised through careful, economical and appropriate use of NHS resources including equipment, property, money, time etc.

Education and Development Responsibilities

Maintain systems and processes that ensure all staff access appropriate and relevant training and they are released to do so and complete all mandatory training

Supervise direct reports ensuring all staff participate in supervision, in line with policy

Plan own personal development in conjunction with the Head of Childrens Services

Attend all mandatory training as required in line with Trust requirements, statutory and professional need.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

Registered nurse or AHP Certificate/diploma in management or relevant demonstrable experience of managing the complexities of delivery of care Evidence of CPD leading to demonstrable personal development of high level clinical skills Postgraduate education

Desirable

Involvement in teaching and training

Experience

Essential

Consolidated experience in managing and appraising staff Experience of clinical audit and evaluation Experience of managing change on a range of service related projects Experience of managing health and safety in the workplace Experience of recruitment

Desirable

Experience of investigating incidents and presenting at disciplinary hearings

Skills and Abilities

Essential

Understand and demonstrate clinical issues relating to NHS Practice Understanding of complexities and issues related to the local health economy Awareness of current NHS trends and policies including clinical governance and NSFs Awareness of health and safety Understanding of financial procedures and budgetary management Excellent clinical leadership skills Experience of conflict management Effective communication and excellent command of English, both written and verbal Presentation skills Networking skills Good time management and ability to work under pressure Intermediate IT skills Positive attitude to change Creative and innovative approach to development Committed to an integrated approach Ability to respond flexibly to differing daily demands Ability to produce high quality reports

Personal Attributes

Essential

Highly developed interpersonal skills Flexible, enthusiastic, approachable and able to use own initiative Confident and friendly in relating to a diversity of people and situations Good attention to detail Willingness to ask for and take advice Ability to make decisions, using available evidence where necessary Commitment to team work Commitment to high standards of care Commitment to personal and professional development

Desirable

Car driver with full valid driving licence and access to a vehicle for business purposes

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