At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative social work services for children and young people.
- Company: Darlington Borough Council, committed to high aspirations for our community.
- Benefits: 32 days annual leave, generous family leave, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Agile working model and supportive team environment for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must be an experienced social work practitioner with a vision for excellence.
The predicted salary is between 55591 - 58883 £ per year.
Salary: £55,591 - £58,883
Post Type: Temporary opportunity for initially 6 months for internal applicants only.
Hours Per Week: Full time
The vacancy of Interim Service Manager – Children in Our Care Resources has emerged at an equally challenging and exciting time to undertake this role as we continue to maintain high aspirations for our Children and Young People. The role reports directly to the Head of Service – Children in Our Care and is responsible for leading outstanding practice and innovation in the following services:
- Fostering and Supported Lodgings Team
- In House Residential Children’s homes
- Therapeutic Services
The Service Manager is supported by a Fostering Team Manager, a Senior Residential Children’s Home Manager and an Advanced Practitioner for Therapeutic Services. As part of the Children's Leadership Team, the successful candidate will work collaboratively to deliver our vision across all service portfolios. The postholder will be required to be on the rota for out of hours (EDT) Service Manager on call which attracts an additional payment.
We are ambitious and excited for the next stage of our service’s development and are seeking a highly motivated, experienced social work practitioner who is innovative and has a clear vision of what high quality social work practice looks like and can lead a service to deliver on their vision. We incorporate an agile working model across all of our services, which seeks to ensure that all of our staff are supported to find the right balance of home and office working to provide the best support and services they can to children and families in Darlington.
Benefits:
- 32 days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional Annual Leave
- Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with the option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
- Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
- Staff equality forums
- Green Car Leasing Scheme
- Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
- Physiotherapy service
- Confidential counselling service
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
- Local and National retailer discounts
- Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
- Arriva Employee Travel Club
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Experienced social work practitioner.
- Innovative and holds a clear vision of high quality social work practice.
- Must be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure with Children's Barred List check.
INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY - Social Work Service Manager employer: Darlington Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Darlington Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY - Social Work Service Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to colleagues and connections within the organisation. A friendly chat can give you insights into the role and show your enthusiasm for the position.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in social work and the specific challenges faced by the service. This will help us demonstrate our knowledge and commitment to high-quality practice.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've led teams or projects successfully. We want to see how you can inspire others and drive innovation in the services.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing internal talent stepping up!
We think you need these skills to ace INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY - Social Work Service Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Social Work Service Manager. Use specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your innovative approach and leadership skills.
Showcase Your Vision: We want to see your clear vision for high-quality social work practice. In your written application, articulate what this looks like for you and how you plan to lead the team towards achieving it.
Be Concise and Clear: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. This will help us understand your qualifications and motivations without getting lost in unnecessary details.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Darlington Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Social Work Service Manager. Brush up on your knowledge about fostering, residential care, and therapeutic services. Being able to discuss these areas confidently will show that you’re ready to lead and innovate.
✨Show Your Vision
Prepare to articulate your vision for high-quality social work practice. Think about how you can improve services for children and young people. Sharing specific ideas or examples from your experience will demonstrate your innovative mindset and leadership potential.
✨Collaborative Spirit
Since this role involves working with a leadership team, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight any experiences where teamwork led to positive outcomes, especially in challenging situations. This will show you’re a team player who can contribute to the collective vision.
✨Embrace the Agile Model
Familiarise yourself with the agile working model mentioned in the job description. Be prepared to discuss how you would balance home and office working to support your team effectively. Showing that you understand and can adapt to this model will set you apart as a forward-thinking candidate.