Casework Service Manager
We are looking for a motivated, experienced and inspirational manager who can provide operational management and support to our talented regional casework team.
12 month Fixed Term contract
About Perennial
Perennial is passionate about building better futures for horticulturists and their families. Established in 1839, Perennial is needed more than ever, helping anyone who makes or looks after gardens, sport grounds, woodlands and other green spaces.
At Perennial we believe that every horticulturist and their families should have access to the services and support they need. We are entering an exciting period of growth and development to enable us to meet current demand and develop a range of preventative services.
We want our team to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, offering equal opportunities to everyone.
Join us
We are now looking for a Casework Manager to join our team. You will be passionate about delivering high quality advice and information services that create better futures for people working in horticulture. We are looking for an experienced manager who is person centred and confident in the delivery of holistic services that empower people to move forward in their lives.
Culture
Our strategy is underpinned by the following cultural principles and values:
The Perennial Journey
Each and every relationship that we have with people accessing our services is unique to that individual and their family. We want to continue engaging with people across horticulture ensuring that their entire Perennial journey is based upon trust, reliability, integrity and compassion. As we grow it is essential that the person-centred approach is at the heart of all we do.
The Perennial Family
Wherever you go in the horticulture sector, you encounter people who have known each other and indeed been friends for many years. Many of the companies that operate within the sector are family businesses. This quality of friendship and family is unique to the sector. We view all of our stakeholders as members of a family – the Perennial Family. At the heart of this family are the horticulturists whom we work with and their own families. We will grow and strengthen this network of relationships which brings such benefit to us all, but especially to those we serve.
Ambition
Perennial is in a uniquely powerful position to deliver life changing support for all horticulturists in need and their families; we are the only charity that covers the whole horticulture sector; we are well established; we are well managed; we are well resourced. Whilst we deliver excellent services, there is much more for us to do, much unmet need to meet and new approaches for us to take. We commit therefore to delivering our purpose and advancing on our vision with the ambition to make sustainable, measurable and brisk progress.
Innovation
We live in a rapidly changing world and the effects will be felt across all aspects of our work. Parts of our sector will be profoundly affected by technological changes such as robotics and new propagation and cultivation methods; advances in I.T. will be constantly changing the way we operate and communicate. In order to survive in this environment, we will need the capacity to change. In order to thrive we will need to anticipate, embrace and even lead change. Therefore, we will develop a culture of innovation that ensures that we are constantly looking to the future, that we encourage fresh thinking and ideas and that we are ready to implement new and better ways of operating.
Easy to do business with
We will make ourselves easy to do business with for everyone that comes into contact with us, internally and externally – horticulturists and their families, trustees, staff, volunteers, partner organisations, horticultural professionals, donors, volunteers and supporters. Success will depend on a combination of what we do and how we do it and will be achieved through ensuring that our processes, systems and communications are clear and simple and that our behaviour and our personality is warm, welcoming, inclusive and trustworthy.
Data Driven and Evidence Based
We will base our decisions on sound data, analysis and evidence.
The Role
As a Service Manager you will manage the operational delivery of services across the UK in liaison with our Head of UK Services and Director of Services.
You will be responsible for fostering a positive working culture whilst ensuring that a high quality, multi-channel casework service is provided to service users. Ensuring services support and empower people working in horticulture, helping them address crisis, unexpected and life-changing events. Offering help through the provision of advice, information services and practical support to deliver our purpose of creating better futures.
Reporting to: Head of Services
Direct Reports: Caseworkers
About you
We are looking for a motivated, experienced and inspirational manager who can provide operational management and support to our talented regional casework team.
You will be passionate about ensuring that we become ever more responsive to changing needs, offering a wider range of support that is relevant to emerging needs.
Key Duties
- To manage a geographically dispersed remote team and facilitate effective staff and resource management and team working, to achieve all relevant objectives by the specified timescales.
- Undertake line management responsibilities including, planning and allocating work, monitoring achievement of deadlines, and supporting staff as appropriate.
- Recruitment, induction and management of the regional casework team.
- Ensure that appropriate training and development opportunities are identified to support staff to meet their objectives and develop their skills and competencies.
- Provide support and guidance to teams when dealing with challenging and complex cases.
- Attend and arrange relevant team meetings and support sessions, encouraging peer reflection, group learning and sharing of good practice.
- Keep up to date on best practice systems and processes in advice delivery to ensure that services are responsive, flexible and agile to changing needs.
- To understand and advocate the support people experiencing a wide variety of life events require and the solutions and services which can help prevent re-occurrence in the future.
- Manage high quality services that are compliant with all regulatory requirements.
- Implement best practice across the team to ensure efficient and effective operational delivery. To monitor and review case management protocols to maintain quality standards – identifying and implementing new ways of working where needed.
- To retain a small caseload of cases as needed.
- Manage, monitor and support the reporting of operational risks, minimising reputational damage and costs, supporting the Head of Service to keep guidance, continuity plans and risk registers up to date.
- Support the Head of Service in preparing the appropriate reports for the senior leadership team, Board and Committee structures.
- Ensure teamwide compliance with organisational policies and procedures.
- Maintain an understanding of the latest developments of social policy.
- Working across the organisation and externally to promote the casework service.
- To work closely with wider teams, to ensure that help, reach and prevent strategies are joined up and impactful.
- Ensure the widespread sharing of learning and effective models of support with a critical focus on quality and continuous improvement.
- Ensure that service users are able to plan ahead and manage life events.
- Delivery of person-centred interventions that are outcome focused.
- Ensure consistent quality standards through undertaking and overseeing regular case checking, file reviews and observations.
- At all times to maintain the professional integrity and reputation of the Charity and represent their main interests in any dealings with colleagues, volunteers, professional bodies, partner agencies, groups and individuals.
- To carry out any other duties that may reasonably be required in line with your main duties or in response to changing needs.
Person Specification
Your skills
- 3 years’ experience within an advice and information service delivery environment.
- Significant evidence of working with adults or families with complex needs to provide outcome-focussed money advice interventions that support resilience and achieve long term change.
- Technical knowledge of key advice and information in one of more of the following areas: welfare benefits, health and social care systems and housing systems
- 2 years’ experience of line managing a team and understanding of how to effectively manage a dispersed remote working team.
- Ability to assess the operational impact of regulations and policies and work to implement new processes seamlessly.
- A good understanding of organisational systems and frameworks, line management and project management
- Knowledge of safeguarding, risk and needs assessment, and support planning procedures as well as how this is delivered in practice.
- Demonstrate an ordered and disciplined approach to managing challenging caseloads, meet targets; plan and prioritise work in the face of competing demands.
- Ability to proficiently use IT packages and systems to a competent level.
- Ability to quickly and easily assimilate and understand information.
- Evidence of a commitment to continuous learning and professional development
- Ability to work on own initiative as well as work effectively as part of a team, naturally supportive of colleagues.
- Self-motivated, positive, open minded to change with an ability to respond positively to changing priorities.
- Able to influence others, with ability to tailor communication methods as required.
Key Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions are provided for information only and in no way represent a contract. In the event of an appointment if there is an anomaly between the contract and these terms, the contract is deemed to be the correct version.
Full information on terms and conditions are contained within a Staff Handbook, issues upon appointment. Enquiries on specific matters are welcomed – the following are the key issues.Location: Home based with travel across the UK
£40,000+ per annum depending on experience
Salary:
Salary:
37.5 hours per week – including some weekends and overnight stays.
Hours of work:
Hours of work:
Terms: 12 month fixed term contract
Pension: Perennial operates an auto-enrolment pension scheme and will match employee contributions up to the statutory amount. Details of the scheme will be available following a formal offer of employment.Holidays: 25 days per annum, plus bank holidays (with increases for long service)
Sick Pay, Death in Service Benefit (3x salary). Perennial has a number of well-established, family-friendly policies, including ‘buying’ extra (unpaid) leave, time off for dependents, variations to normal working hours. Further details available on request.
General:
General:
All Perennial jobs are subject to a probationary period (6 months) and a periodic review.
General Considerations:
General Considerations:
In the interests of health and safety, Perennial operates a non-smoking policy on its premises and expects staff not to smoke in company vehicles.
Smoking:
Smoking:
Application Form - Services
DOCX. 69.4kb
Please download and complete an application form to be considered for this role. If you would like further information on the role, or require the application form in an alternative format, please contact Amy Routley at aroutley@perennial.org.uk