At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape services for vulnerable youth, managing a dedicated team.
- Company: Action for Children, committed to making a difference in young lives.
- Benefits: £30,000 salary, 29 days leave, professional development, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the lives of children and young people with additional needs.
- Qualifications: Management experience and knowledge of engaging disadvantaged youth required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Location: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, United Kingdom
Salary: £30,000 per annum, plus Island allowance £1780
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time – 37 hours per week
29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers' discounts.
A bit about the role:
As a Programme Lead, you’ll play a crucial role in shaping the future of vulnerable youth and lead the delivery of services. You’ll provide direct line management to our Practitioners and nurture and develop effective relationships with colleagues, partner agencies, employers, and external stakeholders. You will be leading the Assessment and Therapy Team and our Outreach service. Assessment and Therapy have 2 workers who deliver packages of support to children and young people who have additional needs. The support is set up by the therapists such as speech and language, physio, OT. Outreach has around 5 staff who work with Children and young people who have additional needs offering activities, opportunities and build relationships. This is a registered service which is assessed by the Cre Inspection. Our recent inspection gave us 5’s for both areas inspected which is very good. This post will ensure the services run well, meet targets and grow.
How you’ll help to create brighter futures:
- Leading the delivery of high-quality service, based on the agreed model, and required outcomes.
- Providing direct line management of staff, applying appropriate policies and procedures, also sharing knowledge and experience through coaching and mentoring techniques.
- Taking the lead on the promotion and marketing of services to achieve set targets and maximise engagement/attainment of service users.
- Be inspection ready.
- Assist the Children’s services Manager and represent the service at commissioner and stakeholder meetings, to ensure the needs of the programme and professional standing of Action for Children is maintained.
Let’s talk about you:
- A management qualification or experience of line managing staff and/or a specific project/programme.
- Knowledge on designing creative programmes that engage disadvantaged children and young people.
- Working in a project management approach – planning and monitoring work programme in line with key milestones and targets and KPIs.
- An understanding of supporting children and young people who have additional support needs: to ensure they are included, have a voice and have choice in what they do on a daily basis.
- Able to be flexible to suit the needs of the service, working some evenings and weekends.
- Driver’s licence and vehicle essential to be able to fill the role.
Good to know:
We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion:
We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.
[For Children Service roles only: Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.]
Programme Lead in Stornoway employer: Action for Children
At Action for Children, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of our staff. Located in the picturesque Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, we provide generous benefits including 29 days of annual leave, flexible family leave options, and opportunities for professional development, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable youth in our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Lead in Stornoway
✨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 Programme Lead in Stornoway
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.
