Change Manager for Learning Disabilities Services

POST TITLE: (Temporary) Change Manager (Day Services)

GRADE: PO4

LOCATION: Learning Disabilities Service

ORGANISATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

• The post holder will be accountable to the Project Manager Day Services Improvement responsible for implementing the Day Service Improvement programme and maintaining a focus on service provision during this period of change.

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE

• To provide effective management of the change programme within Pontop, while ensuring effective service provision is maintained during this period of change.

CONTEXT OF THE POST

• The post holder will be accountable to the Project Manager Day Services Improvement.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SPECIFIC TO THIS POST

• To support, develop and implement an agreed programme of development that will take the service forward under the Day Services Improvement agenda.
• Introduce and maintain effective communication processes with all stakeholders inline with the Service’s policies and procedure.
• Develop and introduce an effective staff development programmes to enable staff to take onboard new ways of working in the community.
• Work with the Community Project Worker Team manager to effectively introduce a community support team capable of delivering care and support in a community setting.
• Develop and introduce effective partnerships to deliver a range of support services that meets the needs of people in the community.
• Develop, introduce and maintain an effective reporting regime that recognises Community involvement and support.
• Establishing effective links with parents, voluntary organisations and other agency personnel.
• Work with senior managers within the service to deliver Day Services improvements
• To report to the Area Manager for the delivery of care within the unit.
• To provide effective management of the day to day activity within the unit during this difficult period of change.
• To maintain such records and registers as may be required in accordance with financial regulations and procedures of Durham County Council Social Services
• At all times, to be concerned with the welfare of Day Service users, to encourage the development of advocacy schemes and resolve conflicts.
• A willingness to achieve NVQ Level 4 or an equivalent management qualification within 3 years of appointment and a commitment to continuous professional development.

COMMON DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Quality Assurance
  To set, monitor and evaluate standards at individual, team performance and service quality so that the user and the Service’s requirements are met and that the highest standards are maintained.
• Communication
  To establish and manage the team communications systems ensuring that the Service’s procedures, policies, strategies and objectives are effectively communicated to all team members.
• Professional Practice
  To ensure that professional practice in the team is carried out to the highest standards and developed in line with the Service’s stated objectives of continual improvement in quality of it’s service to internal and external customers.
• Health and Safety
  To ensure that the Health and Safety policy, organisation arrangements and procedures as they related to areas, activities and personnel under your control are understood, implemented and monitored.
• General Management
  To provide vision and leadership to staff within a specialist team, ensuring that effective systems are in place for workload allocation and management, the application of the Authority’s and the Service’s policies and procedures, including those relating to equality, supervision and appraisal and all aspects of their performance, personal development, health and welfare.
• Financial Management
  To manage a designated budget (as required) ensuring that the Service achieves value for money in all circumstances through the monitoring and control of expenditure and the early identification of any financial irregularity.
• Supervision and Appraisal
  All members of staff will receive supervision and appraisal and it is the responsibility of each member of staff to follow Social Health and Care’s procedure in respect of supervision and appraisal.
• Equality and DiversityInduction
  As an organisation we are committed to promoting a just society that gives everyone an equal chance to learn, work and live free from discrimination and prejudice. To ensure our commitment is put into practice we are developing policies, which will seek to remove any barriers to equality of opportunity and to eliminate unfair and unlawful discrimination.
  
  These policies apply to all employees of Durham County Council.
• ConfidentialityInduction
  All members of staff are required to undertake that they will not divulge to anyone personal and/or confidential information to which they may have access during the course of their work.
• Induction
  The Service has in place an induction programme designed to help new employees to become effective in their roles and to find their way in the organisation.

Conditions of Service

The terms and conditions of service are embodied in the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions of Service (commonly known as the Green Book) and supplemented by local collective agreements reached with Trade Unions recognised by the Council and by the regulations and policies of the Council:

1. The grade of the post is PO4 and salary is paid monthly by bank credit transfer.
2. The appointment will be subject to:
   • An enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure check.
   • Satisfactory medical clearance. The successful candidate will be required to satisfy the Occupational Physician as to his/her fitness to perform the duties of the post.
   • Satisfactory references. References will be sought from your current or most recent employer and additional references may be requested.
   • Successful completion of a 6 month probationary period with the exception of staff transferring from another Authority.
3. The successful applicants may be entitled to relocation expenses in accordance with the Authority’s relocation expenses scheme.
4. The post holder will be entitled to join the local government pension scheme and contributions are 6% of salary.
5. Leave entitlement is a minimum of 22 days rising to 27 days following the completion of 5 years continuous local government service. In addition the post holder is entitled to 8 bank holidays. The above entitlements are reduced proportionately for employees working fewer than 37 hours per week.
6. Durham County Council operates a no smoking policy. Smoking is not allowed in Council offices or establishments.
7. This authority, as your employer, firmly supports the principles of collective bargaining in every way and believes in the principles of solving industrial relations problems by discussion and agreement. For practical purposes, this can only be conducted by representatives of the employers and of the employees. If collective bargaining of this kind is to continue and improve for the benefit of both it is essential that the employees’ organisations should be fully representative. Your Authority is associated with other local authorities represented on the national and provincial councils dealing with local authorities services. It is equally sensible for you, too, to be in membership of a trade union representing you on the appropriate negotiating body, and you are strongly encouraged to do so.
   
   You have the right to join a trade union and to take part in its activities. Details of the specified trade unions on the appropriate negotiating body are available for you to refer to.
8. The County Council is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications, irrespective of race, sex, marital status, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation or political belief.
9. The County Council requires one month’s notice in writing to the post holder’s intention to terminate employment.

NOTES

• Candidates related to any member of the County Council or to the holder of any senior post must make a declaration to that effect.
• Canvassing directly or indirectly will disqualify.
• Please note that receipt of your completed application form will not be acknowledged, unless you provide a stamped addressed envelope for the purpose.
• If you are not invited for interviews within 30 days of the closing date for receipt of applications, you may assume that you have been unsuccessful and that the post has been filled.
• Please do not send testimonials or references as these will not be returned.

PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST: CHANGE MANAGER - LEARNING DISABILITIES PO4

LONGLISTING - PHASE ONE - Examination of application form and any required work

PHASE TWO - As above plus inter-personal assessments