At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Children in Care programme by ensuring effective governance and delivering insightful data analysis.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving outcomes for children in care in Barnsley.
- Benefits: Make a real difference while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and gain valuable experience in social care.
- Why this job: Be part of meaningful change for vulnerable children and shape impactful strategies.
- Qualifications: Expertise in looked after children and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 34650 - 42350 £ per year.
In this PMO role, you will support the Children in Care sufficiency programme by ensuring the delivery of governance, assurance and evidence-based insights. You will collaborate with social work teams, commissioners and the PMO leadership to keep the workstreams on track and to spot risks early. You will translate complex demand and cost data into clear programme intelligence for senior decision-makers. You will contribute to shaping the council’s strategy for looked after children and placement sufficiency through rigorous reporting and cross-functional coordination. This is an opportunity to help deliver meaningful improvements for children in care in Barnsley through structured, data-guid.
Responsibilities
- Maintain programme governance and assurance infrastructure
- Monitor milestones and track progress across the Children in Care workstream
- Analyse complex demand and cost data and translate into actionable insights
- Prepare reports and briefings for senior leadership and gate decisions
- Collaborate with social work teams, commissioners, and PMO leadership to manage risk and drift
- Identify and escalate risks early to prevent issues
- Support the development of internal residential provision and commissioning activities
- Contribute to the overall evidence base and governance for the programme
Key requirements
- Subject matter expertise in looked after children, placement sufficiency or commissioning
- Strong analytical skills with experience handling complex data
- Ability to interpret trends and translate analysis into programme intelligence
- Excellent written communication for reports and leadership briefings
- Understanding of social work practice, commissioning, or programme delivery
- Ability to spot drift and escalate risks proactively
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
Analytical thinking, clear written communication, stakeholder collaboration, data interpretation, programme reporting, governance and assurance.
Senior Programme Officer (SME Children's Social Care) in Barnsley employer: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Barnsley Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to professional development, the Advanced Practitioner role within the Practice Development Hub offers opportunities for mentoring, training, and collaboration with educational partners, ensuring that staff have the resources they need to excel. Located in Barnsley, the council promotes a culture of teamwork and innovation, making it an ideal place for motivated practitioners to make a meaningful impact in children's social care.
Contact Details:
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Programme Officer (SME Children's Social Care) in Barnsley
✨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 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.
✨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 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council!
✨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 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, 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 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council 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 Senior Programme Officer (SME Children's Social Care) in Barnsley
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 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council! 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 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
✨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.
