At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team to ensure children receive the best care and opportunities.
- Company: Join Croydon Council, an inclusive employer dedicated to community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, retention payment, flexible working options, and career development.
- Other info: Opportunity for hybrid working and commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in managing services for children.
The predicted salary is between 75784 - 83011 £ per year.
We are seeking a qualified and experienced Service Manager to join our Children Looked After 0-16 service. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring children receive the best support to help them achieve their aspirations and have an active voice in everything that we do. You will lead, motivate, manage, supervise and develop practice and performance of a team of Team Managers to foster a culture of continuous learning and development.
The successful candidate should have experience in a similar role.
About You- Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.
- Service Manager experienced in managing services for children.
- Experienced in making assessments, implementing plans and delivering interventions for children in the relevant service area of the child's journey.
- Experienced in leading and managing performance of team managers, ensuring the cases are allocated effectively in terms of skills and experience suited to the complexity of the case.
- A clear commitment to services working in partnership with families and creating positive change in young people's lives.
- Demonstrable experience of leading and managing statutory interventions that are relevant to this service area and role (including high risk and high complexity work), and that deliver high quality performance and good outcomes for children and young people.
- Able to lead, think, plan and manage strategically and systemically, as well as operationally.
- Able to use performance information to drive improvement for children and young people.
- Able to produce high quality, analytical and evidence-based reports.
- Able to manage, plan and control delegated budgets.
- Experience of developing high quality services within a statutory setting, with a particular focus on contextualised safeguarding.
- Experience of developing a highly motivated, high achieving and stable workforce with a positive, 'can-do', customer-centred culture.
- Able to work outside of normal office hours when required and to be part of the senior manager out-of-hours rota.
Croydon Council is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. Subject to business needs, we will be pleased to consider applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements and support hybrid working, whereby staff attend the workplace for part of their working week and work from home, or elsewhere, remotely for the rest of the time.
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the advertised role. Croydon Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a DBS check, if the role requires one.
Service Manager - Children Looked After 0-16 in Croydon employer: Croydon Council
Croydon Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to professional development, the role of Service Manager - Children Looked After 0-16 offers opportunities for continuous learning and growth, while also ensuring that staff can maintain a healthy work-life balance through flexible and hybrid working arrangements. By joining our team, you will play a vital role in making a positive impact on the lives of children and young people in the community, supported by a culture that values collaboration and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Children Looked After 0-16 in Croydon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with children looked after. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet or can give you a heads-up on what the hiring managers are really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their approach to safeguarding and how they support children and families. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in managing complex cases and how you've driven improvements in service delivery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Children Looked After 0-16 in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in managing services for children. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Service Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Service Manager, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in the past, and how you’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Croydon Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of the role. Brush up on your knowledge about children looked after services, statutory interventions, and contextualised safeguarding. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re serious about the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you motivated your team or improved performance. This is crucial for a Service Manager role, so be ready to share specific stories that highlight your leadership style and effectiveness.
✨Demonstrate Your Commitment
Be prepared to talk about your passion for working with children and families. Share experiences that illustrate your commitment to making a positive change in young people's lives. This will resonate well with the interviewers and show that you align with their values.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, challenges they face, and how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
