At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the North London Fostering Hub to transform fostering services for children.
- Company: Camden Council, committed to innovative community improvement.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 27 days leave, family leave, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse applicants to drive equality and justice.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fostering and make a real difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Experienced leader in fostering or children's social care with a social work qualification.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
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 lead one of the country’s most ambitious regional fostering partnerships. Together, we’re transforming fostering services to ensure more children can grow up in safe, stable and loving homes closer to where they belong.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership for the new North London Fostering Hub, bringing together six local authorities to deliver a seamless fostering recruitment, assessment and support service.
- Lead the development of a high‑performing regional service, managing a £2.2 million budget and working closely with Directors of Children’s Services, elected Members, the Department for Education and regional partners to deliver lasting change.
- Shape fostering services at scale, increasing the number and diversity of foster carers, improving placement stability and ensuring the best possible outcomes for children and young people across North London.
Qualifications
- Experienced and inspirational leader with significant senior management experience in fostering or children’s social care.
- Qualified social worker with a proven track record of leading service transformation, building successful partnerships and influencing senior stakeholders.
- Confident using data to drive improvement, able to navigate complex environments, and committed to delivering high‑quality services for children and foster families.
If you’re an ambitious, collaborative leader who wants to shape the future of fostering across North London, we’d love to hear from you.
Diversity & Inclusion
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 so that equalities and justice remains at the heart of everything we do.
Benefits
At Camden, you’ll receive a host of benefits. From flexible working to 27 days annual leave (plus 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 pension scheme.
Head of Service - Foster hub (North London) in Camden Town employer: Camden Council
Camden Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, flexible working opportunities, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Camden fosters a supportive work culture that encourages professional growth and collaboration. As a Public Health Researcher, you will play a vital role in addressing health inequalities while benefiting from comprehensive training and development resources in a vibrant London location.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Foster hub (North London) in Camden Town
✨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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 Camden 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 - Foster hub (North London) in Camden Town
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 Camden Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Camden 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 Camden 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.
