Managers foot print

• Evidence of supervision around assessment, timeliness and case progression
  
  
• Clear recordings of reflection, direction and challenge made to the Social Worker during supervision
  
  
• Manager’s decisions to be clearly recorded, and to be well reasoned, logical and right for the child
  
  
• Clear written analytical insight from the Team Manger on critical and key documents for the child; such as assessments, child protection plans, CIN plans, CPR’s, court documents, placement plans, reports for panels, reports for Looked After Child reviews
  
  
• Evidence of escalation of concerns or dispute with other professionals internal and external
  
  
• Evidence of quality assurance activity including case audits and performance management
  
  
• The Manager has ensured the line of decision making is clear, is captured on the chronology, and all important decisions are accompanied by a ‘Manager’s decision’

In order to demonstrate an outstanding help and protection social care provision OFSTED highlight the key requirements within the management structure to be;

• A focus on getting basic social work practice right
• A consistent understanding and application of thresholds – essential for making good decisions
• Well-supported, confident and knowledgeable Managers who understand the quality and impact of practice
• Performance management and quality assurance arrangements that support Managers in monitoring work and to take action where necessary
• Manageable caseloads and a stable, knowledgeable and committed workforce.
• A strong learning culture and a strong focus on practice
• Effective working with other agencies
• A system that focuses on providing help early to children and their families and a “preventative” approach across all the levels of need, vulnerability and risk.
• A child-centered system with robust arrangements and processes
• A focus on achieving sustained improvements in the lives of children and their families