At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage children's services, ensuring high-quality support for families.
- Company: Action for Children, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Generous leave, professional training, flexible family packages, and discounts at national retailers.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusion and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Relevant professional qualification and experience in managing complex services.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Benefits
- Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
- Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
- Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
- Up to 7% employer contribution and life assurance cover
- Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
About the Role
We’re seeking a skilled and reflective Children’s Services Manager to lead a diverse range of services across Elgin and Buckie. This is a significant leadership role with responsibility for two children’s homes and community based services. You’ll provide strategic and operational leadership, ensure services remain financially sustainable, and support high‑quality, evidence‑informed practice. You’ll also play a key role in shaping service development, strengthening partnership working, and ensuring that children and families receive consistent, impactful support. This role is well‑suited to someone committed to improving outcomes, skilled in leading multidisciplinary teams, and dedicated to delivering services that place children and families at the centre.
About the Service
Action for Children works in partnership with Moray Council to provide Residential Care of Children alongside community based services.
Responsibilities
- Championing the highest standards of safeguarding practice by leading and managing safeguarding processes and advocating effectively for children, young people and families.
- Providing strategic leadership to shape, strengthen and expand services across Moray.
- Building and sustaining strong partnership networks that enhance collaboration and improve outcomes.
- Recruiting, supporting and developing diverse teams of social care and support staff to deliver consistently high‑quality services.
About You
- A relevant professional qualification, supported by a leadership or management qualification, or equivalent experience demonstrating the ability to lead complex services.
- Evidence of ongoing professional development that enhances practice and leadership.
- Proven experience in managing and delivering commissioned services, including collaboration with health, social care and multi‑agency partners.
- Substantial experience in developing and overseeing operational services for children, young people and families.
- Strong experience in leading and developing social care and support teams.
- Extensive experience embedding effective safeguarding practice.
Right to Work: Must already have the right to work in the UK, as we are not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.
Why Action for Children?
Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn, and the support to cope with life’s challenges. By bringing your skills and experience, you’ll help us make that a reality. Will you join us?
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion: We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates who are currently under‑represented in our services.
Children’s Services Manager, Elgin – Moray in Buckie employer: Action for Children
Action for Children is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children they serve. With over 7 weeks of inclusive paid leave, flexible family leave options, and excellent training opportunities, staff are empowered to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community of Elgin and Buckie. The organisation's commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion ensures a welcoming environment for all, making it an ideal place for those passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Services Manager, Elgin – Moray in Buckie
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Action for Children.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Action for Children!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Action for Children, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Action for Children or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Children’s Services Manager, Elgin – Moray in Buckie
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Action for Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Action for Children! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
