At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support teams to advocate for children in family court decisions.
- Company: A diverse and inclusive organisation dedicated to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Flexible working, extensive wellbeing support, and excellent benefits.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team that values diversity and promotes personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Registered with Social Work England and experienced in children's social work.
The predicted salary is between 37338 - 46000 £ per year.
We are recruiting for the role of Service Manager in our team(s) covering the North Yorkshire, Teeside, Durham, Cumbria, Lancashire, Tyneside or Northumberland area, with offices based in Middlesbrough, Blackburn, York or Newcastle. Your preference can be discussed during an interview. Our teams work flexibly and remotely; your proximity to the office doesn’t always have to be a critical consideration. We trust and empower colleagues to work in a hybrid way, providing the resources, equipment, and support, so that individually and collectively, we can be the voice of children and young people when the family court makes critical decisions about their futures.
We are a diverse, inclusive organisation that is a safe space for colleagues with shared aspects of identity and lived experience, which helps ensure we provide a service that promotes the diversity and uniqueness of children and families from all backgrounds. We especially welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds as we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the diversity of the children and families we work with. We provide extensive wellbeing support for colleagues, as well as excellent benefits, all of which we hope encourages you to join us.
Role Overview
Being a Service Manager is very rewarding but, as you would expect, challenging too. As well as being registered with Social Work England, you’ll be organised, resilient, empathetic, supportive and able to work independently. In Work After First Hearing teams, Family Court Advisers – which is what we call our Social Workers – typically have a mixed Public and Private Law caseload. In Public Law, this will include them telling the court about the child’s journey and experiences and explaining their wishes and feelings, while also carrying out independent enquiries, scrutinising the work of the Local Authority and representing the child in court, alongside their appointed solicitor.
What We’re Looking For
To succeed and truly make a difference, you should be someone who has:
- Expert knowledge of children’s social work, including safeguarding, statutory and assessment frameworks
- A track record of highly effective practice management or supervisory experience
- Demonstrable experience of being a practice educator with the skills to continuously monitor, manage, develop and improve team and individual performance
- Proven ability to establish strong and effective networks with other agencies
- Experience of leading individuals and teams through change
Service Manager in North East employer: Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
As a Service Manager with us, you will join a dynamic and inclusive team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families across North Yorkshire and surrounding areas. We offer flexible working arrangements, extensive wellbeing support, and a commitment to professional development, ensuring that you thrive both personally and professionally. Our diverse work culture fosters collaboration and empowerment, making this an excellent opportunity for those looking to contribute to a vital cause while enjoying a supportive and rewarding workplace.
Contact Details:
Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager in North East
✨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 Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service).
✨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 Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)!
✨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 Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), 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 Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) 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 in North East
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 Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service):Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)! 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 Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)
✨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.
