At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead children's social care services and oversee safeguarding decisions.
- Company: Ealing Council is focused on strengthening children's social care reform.
- Benefits: All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check for safety.
- Other info: The role involves multi-agency collaboration and leadership responsibilities.
- Why this job: Join a supportive cohort of Service Managers driving impactful change.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised social work qualification and significant experience in children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 52100 £ per year.
Ealing Council is recruiting a Service Manager to lead a new, cohesive cohort of Service Managers across the Front Door Family Pathways and Family Help Service. The role is full‐time and central to strengthening children's social care reform, early help, safeguarding pathways and ensuring families receive the right help at the right time from the right professionals.
Responsibilities
- Lead the day‐to‐day delivery of statutory and non‐statutory children's social care services, ensuring children are safeguarded and supported effectively.
- Provide clear leadership and oversight to Team Managers, ensuring high‐quality supervision, consistent standards and professional development.
- Make and oversee timely, proportionate and defensible safeguarding decisions at points of referral, assessment, escalation and closure.
- Drive continuous service improvement through audit, performance data, learning and reflective practice.
- Embed relationship‐based, trauma‐informed, strengths‐based approaches, including effective responses to adolescent risk and extra familial harm.
- Strengthen multi‐agency working with police, health, education, voluntary and community partners.
- Play an active role in children's social care reform, strengthening Family Help, early intervention and effective front‐door pathways in line with national expectations.
- Contribute to service planning, workforce development, budget management and inspection readiness.
- Deputise for the Head of Service as required and provide cross‐service leadership cover.
- Work as part of a collective Service Manager cohort, reporting to a Head of Service and contributing to a supportive, high‐challenge senior management culture.
Qualifications
- Recognised social work qualification (Degree / DipSW / CQSW or equivalent) and registration with Social Work England.
- Significant post‐qualification experience in children's social care.
- Proven experience as a Team Manager or Service Manager, with responsibility for statutory services.
- Strong track record of leading teams, managing performance and improving practice.
- In‐depth knowledge of children's legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding frameworks.
- Experience of multi‐agency working and partnership leadership.
- Confidence in leading change, managing risk and making sound professional judgements.
- Clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, staff wellbeing and workforce development.
All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check. Ealing Council values diversity and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected and supported. We are an equal‐opportunity employer.
Service Manager in London employer: Ealing Council
Ealing Council offers a dynamic environment for social care professionals in Ealing, London. The team is dedicated to improving children's services through innovative practices and strong partnerships. They value diversity and inclusivity, ensuring all employees feel respected and supported.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager in London
✨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 Ealing Council.
✨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 Ealing Council!
✨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 Ealing Council, 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 Ealing Council 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 Service Manager in London
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 Ealing Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ealing Council! 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 Ealing Council
✨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.
