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 experience in managing services for children.
- Experience in making assessments, implementing plans and delivering interventions for children in the relevant service area of the child’s journey.
- Experience 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 work force 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.
Equal Opportunities Statement
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 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience in managing services for children. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your leadership skills and examples of how you've driven performance improvements. We want you to showcase your ability to manage teams effectively and create positive change for young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of children.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager – Children Looked After 0-16
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience and skills that match the job description. We want to see how your background aligns with the role of Service Manager for Children Looked After 0-16.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, don’t forget to emphasise your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed teams in the past, as this will resonate with us.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read, so make sure your key points stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Croydon Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Service Manager for Children Looked After. Brush up on relevant legislation, safeguarding practices, and the specific challenges faced by children in care. This will show that you’re not just qualified, but genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and managing teams. Think about times when you’ve motivated staff, improved performance, or implemented effective strategies. Be ready to discuss how you foster a positive culture and support continuous learning within your team.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Skills
Since the role involves producing high-quality reports and using performance information, be prepared to discuss your analytical approach. Bring examples of how you’ve used data to drive improvements in service delivery or outcomes for children. This will illustrate your ability to think strategically and operationally.
✨Emphasise Your Commitment to Partnership
Talk about your experience working collaboratively with families and other stakeholders. Highlight any successful partnerships you’ve built and how they’ve led to positive changes for young people. This shows that you understand the importance of a holistic approach in social work.
