At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a transformative programme to establish a regional Fostering Hub across North London.
- Company: Camden Council, dedicated to improving lives and fostering community.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 27 days annual leave, family leave, and excellent pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse applicants to drive meaningful change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's social care and shape the future of fostering.
- Qualifications: Experience in programme management and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
IMPORTANT: Do Not Click - APPLY NOW. If you would like to apply for the role please click Programme Manager - Foster hub (North London) - LBC ORC Career Site Careers.
Please note this is not an external advert. This is just an advert to be shared amongst the 6 boroughs. Please be aware that Barnet Council are NOT the Recruiter for this vacancy. We are sharing this job advert on behalf of Camden Council. If you mistakenly submit your application to Barnet Council, we will not forward it to Camden due to GDPR regulations. Please ensure you apply using the provided link.
About Camden: At Camden, we're building somewhere everyone can thrive. We are committed to making our borough the best place to live, work, study and visit, while leading bold and innovative approaches that improve lives.
Hosted by Camden on behalf of the North London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey and Islington, this is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in one of the country's most ambitious children's social care reform programmes. Working across six boroughs, you'll help establish a pioneering regional Fostering Hub that will transform how foster carers are recruited, supported and retained across North London.
How You’ll Be Involved: This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of fostering. Working alongside the Head of Service, you'll lead the delivery of a high-profile transformation programme, bringing together teams, processes and partners to establish a new regional fostering hub funded by the Department for Education. You'll coordinate complex projects across six local authorities, working with senior leaders, elected Members and partner organisations to deliver meaningful change. From programme planning and governance to stakeholder engagement and service design, you'll play a central role in creating a more effective fostering system that supports foster carers and improves outcomes for children and young people.
If you're motivated by innovation, collaboration and making a real difference, this role offers the opportunity to be at the heart of national reform in children's social care.
All About You: We're looking for an experienced programme or project manager with a track record of delivering complex change programmes and building strong relationships across organisations. You'll be an organised and strategic thinker with excellent facilitation, communication and stakeholder management skills. Comfortable working in complex environments, you'll be able to simplify challenging issues, influence senior decision-makers and keep programmes on track. Whether you're leading multidisciplinary project teams or supporting senior leaders to deliver ambitious change, you'll bring creativity, resilience and a commitment to improving services for children and families.
If you're passionate about transformation, partnership working and delivering lasting impact, we'd love to hear from you.
What We Offer: At Camden, you’ll receive a host of benefits. From flexible working to 27 days annual leave (+ bank holidays!). We also know that a work life balance is extremely important so we also offer family leave, loan schemes and access to our incredible staff networks. We also have an incredible pensions scheme.
Inclusion and Diversity: We want Camden Council to be a great place to work and to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce. A vital part of this is ensuring we are a truly inclusive organisation that encourages diversity in all respects, including diversity of thinking. We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and those of Other Ethnicities, LGBT+, disabled and neurodiverse communities to make a real difference to our residents so that equalities and justice remains at the heart of everything we do.
Anonymised Application: In keeping with Camden’s commitment to inclusion the recruitment to this role is anonymised and supports the objective of reducing the impact of unconscious bias.
Asking for Adjustments: Camden is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier-free and as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the application, interview or assessment process, including providing information in an alternative format, please contact us on 020 7974 6655, at resourcing@camden.gov.uk or post to 5 Pancras Square, London, N1C 4AG.
Programme Manager - Foster hub (North London) employer: Borough of Barnet
The Borough of Barnet is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With extensive annual leave and dedicated training opportunities, the Facilities Team Lead role provides a meaningful chance to contribute to the community while developing your career in a vibrant Greater London setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Manager - Foster hub (North London)
✨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 Borough of Barnet.
✨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 Borough of Barnet!
✨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 Borough of Barnet, 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 Borough of Barnet 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 Manager - Foster hub (North London)
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 Borough of Barnet:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Barnet! 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 Borough of Barnet
✨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.
