At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to recruit and support Foster Carers and make a real difference.
- Company: Join the outstanding Children’s Services team at City of York Council.
- Benefits: Generous leave, health initiatives, flexible working, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and community engagement in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a fantastic team dedicated to providing safe homes for children and young people.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in Children’s Services and a passion for fostering.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are looking for an inspiring Fostering Service Manager to lead our dynamic Fostering Service. You’ll lead the team in recruiting and supporting Foster Carers, Kinship Carers and Special Guardians. This is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of a fantastic team who go above and beyond in providing safe and loving homes for children and young people.
We’re seeking someone with ambition, creativity and proven leadership experience in Children’s Services who will continue to develop the service and maintain the exceptional work that happens every day. City of York’s Children’s services are judged as ‘outstanding’ and we are playing our part in fostering and also committed to doing more for our outstanding fostering community.
You’ll work collaboratively with a range of colleagues to drive innovation and excellence. This is your opportunity to make a real difference and help us expand opportunities for children and young people across the City of York.
The successful candidate will have strategic and operational oversight and management of the service and have the opportunity to be creative and innovative in your approach, as we continue to seek new ways of providing care and supporting our carers to flourish.
We have a strong and committed senior leadership team who work closely together in our relentless efforts to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families. Everything about what we do is grounded in our practice framework and meaningful measures, considering “is this good enough for my child” in everything we do.
The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings.
City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.
For further information or an informal discussion please contact Sara Sherwood (Head of Corporate Parenting) on sara.sherwood@york.gov.uk
Closing date: Monday 29 June at 12 midnight
Interview date: Week commencing 13 July
Service Manager - Fostering employer: Children's Social Work Matters
City of York Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative work environment for its staff. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous leave allowances, and continuous professional development opportunities, we empower our team to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. Join us in our outstanding Children’s Services, where your creativity and leadership will help shape a brighter future for our community.
Contact Details:
Children's Social Work Matters Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Fostering
✨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 Children's Social Work Matters.
✨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 Children's Social Work Matters!
✨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 Children's Social Work Matters, 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 Children's Social Work Matters 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
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 Children's Social Work Matters:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Children's Social Work Matters! 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 Children's Social Work Matters
✨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.
