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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to deliver impactful services for children and families.
- Company: Join a dedicated organisation focused on making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Permanent position with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape practices that enhance children's wellbeing and support families in need.
- Qualifications: Professional Social Work qualification and experience in leading children's services.
- Other info: Dynamic role with regular travel across Armagh and Newry, fostering community partnerships.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced leader passionate about making a difference in children's lives? We are seeking a dedicated Social Work Manager to join our team and lead high-quality, child-focused services in our Armagh and Newry Family Resource Centres. This is an exciting opportunity to shape practice, support a skilled team, and ensure the best outcomes for children and families. If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are committed to safeguarding and excellence, we'd love to hear from you. If you have a passion for family support, then this role is for you.
About the Role
- Lead and manage a dedicated team of practitioners delivering a range of services to children, young people and families.
- Oversee service delivery, ensuring high standards of practice, safeguarding, and outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with community partners.
- Use your professional expertise to develop innovative approaches that reduce risk, promote children's wellbeing and ensure children's needs are met.
- Monitor impact and contribute to strategic planning and funding development.
About You
Please ensure that you outline on your application how you meet the criteria below:
- Hold a professional qualification in Social Work recognised by the NISCC, have completed the AYE and be registered with the NISCC on part 1 of the register.
- Ability to lead and support staff in managing safeguarding concerns, ensuring timely and effective responses, and escalation as required.
- Can outline their experience of working with children and young people and in leading others to best practice in the delivery of children's services.
- Can demonstrate, using an example, how they have worked constructively with partner agencies, commissioners and other stakeholders, in a way that enhances the reputation of the organisation externally.
- Demonstrable experience in managing budgets within a children's services setting, including responsibility for financial planning, forecasting, and monitoring.
- Can evidence the ability to set clear team and individual objectives, and to coach and support staff in achieving high performance through regular feedback, development planning, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Hold a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle with business class insurance to use during working hours (alternatively those applicants with a disability that prevents them from holding a driving licence should be able to demonstrate how they can meet the mobility requirements of the post).
The post is office based and requires regular travel across both office locations and at times across the Southern Trust.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now.
Location: Post will be based in either Armagh and Newry with expectation of regular travel across both office locations and throughout the Southern Trust area.
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: Midnight, 22 February 2026
Interview Date: TBC
Contact: recruitment.support@barnardos.org.uk
A waiting list will be held in the event that similar vacancies arise during the next 12 months. Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
Children\'s Services Manager in Newry employer: Barnardo’s
Contact Detail:
Barnardo’s Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Services Manager in Newry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, attend local events, and engage with community partners. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of supporting children and families. Show them you're not just a fit on paper but also in spirit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to safeguarding and team leadership. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate your skills and impact—this will make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and making a difference in children's lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Services Manager in Newry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Make sure to express your passion for children's services in your application. We want to see how your dedication can make a difference in the lives of children and families.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When outlining your experience, focus on specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and ability to work with children and young people. We love seeing how you've made an impact in previous roles!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that directly address the criteria outlined in the job description. This helps us see how you fit the role!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnardo’s
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Children's Services Manager. Brush up on your knowledge of safeguarding practices, service delivery standards, and innovative approaches to child welfare. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and passion during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare specific examples of how you've led teams in the past, especially in managing safeguarding concerns or delivering high-quality services. Think about times when you’ve coached staff to achieve their best and how you’ve set clear objectives for your team.
✨Collaborate and Communicate
Be ready to discuss your experience working with partner agencies and stakeholders. Highlight instances where your collaboration enhanced the reputation of your previous organisation. This shows that you can work effectively in a dynamic environment and build strong relationships.
✨Financial Savvy is Key
Since managing budgets is part of the role, come prepared to talk about your experience with financial planning and monitoring in children's services. Share examples of how you’ve successfully managed budgets and ensured resources are used effectively to benefit children and families.
