At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to support and recruit foster carers for children in care.
- Company: Join a values-driven organisation dedicated to improving children's services in Barnsley.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and impactful community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while shaping innovative practices.
- Qualifications: Proven management experience in fostering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Overview
You will lead and motivate the Fostering Service to recruit, support and supervise in-house foster carers, aligning with Barnsley’s ambitious children’s services goals.
In this management role, you’ll shape strategy, support innovative practice, and oversee key teams including Mockingbird, Recruitment, Kinship, and Panel Advisory.
You will drive improvements to outcomes for children and young people while expanding our in-house service and Constellations.
This is a bold, values-driven opportunity to influence practice, technology use, and workforce development at scale.
You’ll work with senior leaders to sustain high standards and deliver measurable impact for families in Barnsley.
- Pay / Benefits
- competitive salary
- regular supervision
- generous annual leave with buy option
- flexible working arrangements
- IT equipment for agile working
- professional development with clear Social Work Career Pathway
Responsibilities
- Lead and motivate two supervisory teams (Mockingbird, Recruitment, Kinship) and Panel Advisor
- Oversee recruitment, retention and supervision of in-house foster carers
- Develop and implement innovative solutions to meet the needs of children in care
- Drive the revised sufficiency strategy and expansion of Mockingbird Constellations
- Provide visionary and high-standard social work leadership to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families
- Key requirements
- Significant management experience within a fostering service
- Strong leadership skills with a solution-focused approach
- Commitment to high standards of social work practice in fostering
- Ability to drive recruitment and expansion of in-house foster carers and partnerships
- leadership
- visionary thinking
- solution-focused
- communication
- collaboration
- stakeholder engagement
Service Manager Fostering 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 Service Manager Fostering 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 Service Manager Fostering 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.
