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- Tasks: Lead and improve services for Children in Care and Care Leavers.
- Company: Join Halton Borough Council, dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £85,000 with potential for permanent role.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with management experience in children's services required.
- Other info: Initial locum contract with opportunities for growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 102000 £ per year.
Halton Borough Council is looking for a passionate and experienced leader to drive excellence in services for Children in Care and Care Leavers. This is a key senior role, responsible for ensuring high-quality support, safeguarding, and improved outcomes for children and young people.
Key Responsibilities:- Children in Care & Care Leavers: Oversee care planning, permanency arrangements, and transitions into adulthood, ensuring children and young people receive the support they need.
- Fostering & Adoption: Lead recruitment, assessment, and support of foster carers and adopters, ensuring compliance with regulations and best practice.
- Residential Services: Manage the council’s residential children’s home, ensuring high standards of care and regulatory compliance.
- Performance & Quality Assurance: Develop and implement service improvement plans in line with Ofsted requirements, using data and audits to drive continuous improvement.
- Leadership & Workforce Development: Provide strong and visible leadership, supporting and developing teams to maintain high professional standards and effective service delivery.
- Budget & Resource Management: Ensure effective financial oversight and efficient use of resources, securing external funding where possible.
- Qualified social worker with Social Work England registration and significant management experience in children’s services.
- Proven leadership in local authority or similar settings, with a strong understanding of statutory responsibilities and best practice in child protection, fostering, adoption, and care leaver support.
- Skilled in strategic planning, performance management, and quality assurance.
- Strong partnership working experience, including collaboration with agencies, courts, and safeguarding boards.
- Financial management experience, ensuring cost-effective service delivery.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to influence and inspire teams.
This is an exciting opportunity to lead a service that makes a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people. Apply now to be part of a dedicated team committed to achieving the best outcomes for children in Halton.
Head of Service - Children in Care employer: Connect2Halton
Contact Detail:
Connect2Halton Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Children in Care
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in children's services, especially those who have experience in local authorities. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in child protection and care.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Halton Borough Council's current initiatives and challenges in children’s services. This knowledge will help you tailor your discussions during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to improving outcomes for children in care.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with the council's values. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led teams through change or improved service delivery, as this will showcase your suitability for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest Ofsted requirements and quality assurance frameworks relevant to children's services. Being well-versed in these areas will not only prepare you for potential questions but also highlight your proactive approach to service improvement.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service - Children in Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in children's services, particularly in leadership roles. Emphasise your qualifications, management experience, and any specific achievements related to care planning and safeguarding.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for improving outcomes for children in care. Discuss your leadership style, your understanding of statutory responsibilities, and how your experience aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, focus on skills such as strategic planning, performance management, and financial oversight. Provide examples of how you've successfully implemented service improvement plans or managed budgets in previous roles.
Showcase Partnership Experience: Demonstrate your ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including agencies and safeguarding boards. Include specific examples of successful partnerships you've developed and how they benefited the services you provided.
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Halton
✨Show Your Passion for Child Welfare
Make sure to express your genuine passion for improving the lives of children in care and care leavers. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that highlight your commitment to child welfare, as this role requires a leader who truly cares about making a difference.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous leadership roles in children's services. Highlight specific examples where you successfully led teams, implemented service improvements, or managed challenging situations. This will showcase your ability to inspire and guide others in a similar environment.
✨Understand Regulatory Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the relevant regulations and best practices in child protection, fostering, and adoption. Be ready to discuss how you have ensured compliance in past roles and how you plan to maintain high standards in line with Ofsted requirements.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them, particularly in areas like budget management and resource allocation.
