At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of Placement Sufficiency Services for children in care.
- Company: B&NES Council, committed to improving outcomes for children and young people.
- Benefits: Friendly team, excellent support, extensive training, and a focus on career development.
- Other info: Fixed term contract with opportunities for flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a dedicated team.
- Qualifications: Experience in managing teams and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are looking for a skilled, creative and experienced leader to join us in developing our Placement Sufficiency Services in B&NES. Ofsted rate us as Good, but we want even better for the children in our authority. To achieve consistently outstanding services, we need the best and most committed social care leaders to join our leadership team. This role is key to our improvement journey and our financial strategy.
You will work with key stakeholders and the market to create more and better homes for children in care. You will have responsibility for leading on the implementation of the placement sufficiency strategy and action plan, supporting workstreams as well as progressing plans for children in residential care and all high-cost placement provision.
We are looking for someone with exceptional communication and people skills, who has a friendly, patient and confident approach with colleagues, professionals and members of the public. We value relational approaches with all stakeholders and promote this via our systemic practice model. We expect you to provide high levels of support to staff, alongside constructive challenge, to develop confident autonomous managers and practitioners. You will need strong organisational skills to manage and prioritise your work.
The successful candidate will have experience of managing teams, be proficient at using and analysing key data, and must have the child/young person/family at the centre of their work and decisions.
Benefits:- A friendly and caring team
- Excellent administrative support
- First-rate supervision and support
- Extensive training programme
- A corporate commitment to improving outcomes for our children and young people
With the Assistant Director, and as part of the Senior Management Team, the post holder will participate in the formulation of detailed Directorate objectives and policies and work as an active member of the senior management team to make Directorate-wide decisions linked to key local policies and procedures and national policy.
About the role:- Fixed term contract (initially for 6 months)
- Full time (37 hours across 5 days per week)
If you think you have the required skills and are interested in hearing more about this role, please contact Paul Shallcross, Assistant Director for more information and a conversation.
Interview date: 17/07/2026
Please no agencies.
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us. We are a Disability Confident Employer. The Council is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.
Head of Service – Placement Sufficiency Programme in England employer: BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL
At B&NES Council, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people in our community. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, offering extensive training and first-rate supervision to ensure our leaders thrive. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and provide flexible working arrangements to accommodate individual needs.
Contact Details:
BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service – Placement Sufficiency Programme in England
✨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 BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET 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 BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET 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 BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET 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 BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET 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 Head of Service – Placement Sufficiency Programme in England
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 BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET 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 BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET 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.
