At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance services for children in care and care leavers.
- Company: Dudley Council, committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
- Benefits: £525 per day, hybrid working, and bi-weekly pay.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with extensive leadership experience in children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Principal Service Lead - Through Care – 7 Month Contract
Location
Dudley
Rate
£525 per day (Umbrella)
Contract
7 Month Contract
Hours
Full Time
Working Pattern
Hybrid Working – 3 Days On Site
Pay
- Bi-weekly
- Summary
Dudley Council is in search of a seasoned and driven Principal Service Lead - Through Care to become a key member of the Children & Young People Leadership Team.
This critical senior leadership position is tasked with enhancing the quality of services for Children in Care, Care Leavers, Fostering, Residential Care, Placements, Family Time, Children with Disabilities, and Emotional Wellbeing Services.
The role involves providing strategic direction, spearheading service enhancements, fortifying safeguarding practices, and ensuring that children and young people receive exceptional support to achieve optimal outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Offer strategic leadership across Through Care services.
• Oversee services for
- Children in Care
- Care Experienced Young People
- Fostering Services
- Residential Care
- Placements
- Family Time Services
- Children with Disabilities
- Emotional Wellbeing Services
- Propel continuous service enhancement, quality assurance, and performance management.
- Ensure robust safeguarding practices and adherence to statutory requirements.
- Lead efforts in inspection readiness and improvement initiatives.
- Advocate for exemplary corporate parenting and amplify the voices of children and young people.
- Cultivate and lead high-performing multidisciplinary teams.
- Efficiently manage complex service delivery, budgets, and resources.
- Forge strong partnerships with Health, Education, Police, and other agencies.
- Deliver cost-effective solutions while maintaining high-quality outcomes for children and families.
- Contribute strategically as part of the Children & Young People Leadership Team.
Essential
Requirements
Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker.
- Current registration with Social Work England.
- Extensive senior leadership experience in Children's Social Care.
- Proven success in driving service improvements and achieving positive inspection results.
• Comprehensive experience in leading services for
- Children in Care
- Care Leavers
- Fostering
- Residential Services
- Children with Disabilities
- In-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, children's social care practices, and statutory duties.
- Experience in leading large operational teams and managing complex service areas.
- Demonstrated experience in collaborating with multi-agency partnerships.
- Strong leadership, change management, and performance enhancement skills.
Desirable
- Experience at the level of Assistant Director, Head of Service, or Principal Service Lead.
- Experience in supporting Ofsted improvement programs.
- Experience in managing transformation and redesign initiatives.
- Previous leadership experience within a Local Authority.
What's on Offer?
- £525 per day (Umbrella)
- 7 Month Contract
- Location: Dudley
- Hybrid Working – 3 Days On Site
- Bi-weekly Pay
- A senior leadership role within a forward-thinking Children's Services department.
- An opportunity to influence strategic service delivery and improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.
- Work within a prominent leadership team committed to continuous improvement in Through Care services.
Ideal candidates may have experience as a Principal Service Lead, Head of Service, Assistant Director, Service Manager, Through Care Lead, Children in Care Service Manager, Fostering Service Manager, or Senior Children's Social Care Leader.
Principal Service Lead - Through Care in Dudley employer: Civic Recruitment Limited
Civic Recruitment Limited is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where strategic leadership in the Special Educational Needs service can truly make a difference in children's lives. With a strong focus on collaboration and professional development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to meaningful outcomes in the Bromley community. The supportive culture and commitment to high-quality services make this an attractive opportunity for those looking to lead impactful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Service Lead - Through Care in Dudley
✨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 Civic Recruitment Limited.
✨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 Civic Recruitment Limited!
✨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 Civic Recruitment Limited, 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 Civic Recruitment Limited 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 Principal Service Lead - Through Care in Dudley
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 Civic Recruitment Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Civic Recruitment Limited! 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 Civic Recruitment Limited
✨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.
