Carers Service Manager

VSA currently have an exciting opportunity available to join our Aberdeenshire Carers Service as a Service Manager.  In this role you will be responsible for the day to day operation and management of the Carers' Service Aberdeenshire.

This will be a Full-Time, Permanent position and in return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits.

VSA's Aberdeenshire Carers Service, supports adults, children, and young people who care for someone living in Aberdeenshire.

The advantage of our information and support is that we are a local based organisation. We have an in-depth understanding of the people of Aberdeenshire and take a localised approach to all our information and carers services.

We are also network partners with the National Carers Organisations, Carers Trust and Coalition of Carers which keeps us briefed with all matters relating to unpaid carers.

Hours:  35 hours per week 

Rate of Pay: £38,910 per annum

Location: Working from Home primarily (however this role will include the need to undertake community engagement sessions/drop in's, which will be delivered in and around the Aberdeenshire localities this role supports, with occasional need to attend HQ in Aberdeen for meetings, training, and attend any events for Carers.).  A drivers license and access to your own transport is essential for this role.

Work Pattern:  Working 5 days per week (Mon-Friday) 

We offer our staff fantastic benefits including:

• Company pension
• Employee assistance programme
• Generous annual leave
• Refer a friend programme - Receive £200 when you introduce a family member or friend to VSA,
• Investment in your personal development and career through our learning and development programmes
• Gain recognised SCQF Qualifications
• Access to our employee discount scheme

About the role: 

To provide and assist in the delivery of a quality Carers Service. To provide support, training, information and advice to meet the identified needs of carers in line with national and local strategies and within specified VSA standards, policies, codes of practice and regulatory requirements, managing resources effectively within an agreed financial framework.

Responsibilities of our Service Manager will include: 

• Taking responsibility for the day to day operation and management of carers' services in Aberdeenshire.

• Developing and using systems to communicate, record, and report; ensuring that records are updated accurately and reports are produced when required so as to provide reliable data to support decision-making for management purposes and to meet regulatory requirements.

• Overseeing the communication systems and processes needed to enhance and develop the work of the staff team

• Ensuring that practice is non-discriminatory and that carers' personal beliefs and preferences are appropriately acknowledged.

• Ensuring that practices are in place to encourage and facilitate carers to access services and facilities, in accordance with their needs, preferences.

• Developing and maintaining healthy and safe practices in the work place through the effective Implementation and monitoring of risk assessment procedures relating to the protection of staff and carers; complying with health, safety and security regulations and procedures.

• Monitoring the development, implementation and review of carer support plans and pathway processes, ensuring that their needs and preferences are met.

• Ensuring that services are designed, delivered, and reviewed to promote the best possible outcomes for carers, in accordance with national and local strategy.

• Identifying staffing requirements in relation to operational objectives and budgetary requirements, establishing procedures to ensure that staffing cover is maintained at appropriate levels to meet regulatory requirements.

• Overseeing and participating in the selection and recruitment of staff as appropriate, identifying job and person requirements, in accordance with specified standards and procedures.

• Developing teams and individuals to enhance performance, identifying development needs and implementing plans to meet these needs.

• Ensuring that staff performance is assessed and conveyed to individuals and teams in accordance with VSA's appraisal/supervision procedures and, where appropriate, shortcomings are addressed with reference to agreed procedures.

• Establishing, maintaining, and developing an effective working environment in respect of working relationships, identifying and minimising interpersonal conflict, and where appropriate implementing VSA disciplinary and grievance procedures.

• Managing the use of financial resources within the services, controlling expenditure against budgets, making recommendations for expenditure, assessing funding opportunities available to sustain and develop projects in response to needs arising.

• Developing and maintaining good working relationships with regulatory bodies (Contracts Compliance) and Aberdeenshire Council Carers Support Team to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and codes of practice. Reporting any alleged or actual breaches of practice to the necessary bodies following both VSA and regulatory guidelines.

• Developing one's knowledge and practice continuously through participation in training and development activities.

• Carrying out other duties from time to time provided they are reasonable and within the post holder's capabilities.

What we are looking for in our Service Manager:

Qualifications/Training/Education:
Essential:

• HNC/SCQF Level 6 or equivalent in relevant discipline e.g.. Social Work, Health, Social Care or Community Education or Management

Desirable:

• Educated to Degree Level - in relevant discipline e.g.. Social Work, Health, Social Care or Community Education or Management
  
• A qualification in Community Work, Social Work, Nursing or Teaching Relevant post qualifying training e.g. safeguarding
• Awareness and knowledge of current legislation relating to Adult & Child Protection issues, Disability issues e.g. the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

Experience:
Essential:

• Experience of staff support, management and development
  
• Experience of working with carers and/or people in complex situations.
• Knowledge of health and social care legislation, policy and issues
• Demonstrable experience of partnership working
• Demonstrable experience of outreach work, fieldwork, community capacity building

Desirable:

• Experience of project development.
• Contributing to policy making
• Experience of working within a multi disciplinary team.
• Group work and training experience
• Experience of working with volunteers
• Working knowledge of child/adult protection issues and practice
• Experience of project management, including management of budgets
• Knowledge of recent NHS and Social Services initiatives
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation systems
• Managing poor performance and disciplinary issues
• Knowledge and/or experience of the third sector

Key Skills/Aptitudes:

Essential:

• Evidence of good communication skills- both verbal and written
• Good IT skills e.g. e-mails
• Ability to demonstrate the delivery and design high quality outcome focused projects
• Ability to write comprehensive reports
• Good interpersonal skills
• Evidence of ability to motivate staff
• Ability to analyse and process information effectively

Desirable:

• Ability to look at the bigger picture.
• Leadership skills
• Well Organised
• Well developed decision making skills
• Processing data electronically.

Personal Qualities:
Essential:

• Energetic, hard working, resilient, adaptable, organised, assertive
• Confidence in relating to a wide range of professionals
• Confidence in relating to a wide range of people of all ages and cultural backgrounds in a non-judgemental, inclusive manner
• Leadership and management skills
• Effective organizer with the ability to work on own initiative
• Mediation, negotiation and liaison skills.
• Chairing meetings.
• Ability to work constructively with stress.
• Ability to respond sensitively to heightened emotions and feelings.
• Demonstrable presentation skills.
• Ability, commitment and enthusiasm to contribute to future service development.

Desirable:

• Appreciation of Community Care issues.
• Ability to think creatively
• Flexible approach

Other Job Requirements:

Essential:

• Flexible approach to working hours- availability to work evenings and weekends (on a planned basis).
• To ensure the protection of children and vulnerable adults whilst adhering to current legislation and national/local policies and guidelines.
• Observe Safeguarding of Adult & Child Protection Policy as per Agency procedures and adhere to Adults & Child Protection guidelines.
• Observe Adult & Child Support & Protection Policy as per Agency procedure and Aberdeenshire H&SCP Adult Support & Protection Procedures
• Full and Clean Driving License and access to a vehicle.
  
  

If our Team Leader role sounds like you, then click “Apply” below and start your career journey with VSA today

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