At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve services for children and young people, ensuring positive outcomes.
- Company: Dudley Council, committed to enhancing children's services and community impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to excellence in service delivery.
- Why this job: Be a pivotal leader in transforming lives and driving positive change for children.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in Children's Social Care and a passion for improvement.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
Are you an inspirational, values-driven leader with a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people? Dudley are embarking on an exciting journey of improvement. We have strengthened capacity at Associate Director level with four permanent roles: AD Education and Inclusion, AD Quality, Performance and Improvement, AD Family Help and Safeguarding, and AD Corporate Parenting. We are now recruiting to our Principal Service Lead roles to further strengthen our leadership capacity.
Dudley Council is seeking an exceptional Principal Service Lead - Through Care to join our Children & Young People Leadership Team. This is a pivotal leadership role, responsible for leading and improving services for children with disabilities, fostering, residential care and emotional wellbeing, with strong interconnectivity with the Principal Service lead for Children in Care and Care experienced.
In this role, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership across Through Care services, including children in care, care leavers, fostering, residential provision, placements, family time and services for children with disabilities, ensuring outstanding support and positive outcomes.
- Drive quality, performance and continuous improvement, ensuring strong safeguarding practice, statutory compliance, inspection readiness and a relentless focus on improving the lives of children and young people.
- Lead high-performing teams and partnerships, championing the voice of children and young people, embedding excellent corporate parenting, and working collaboratively across health, education, police and wider system partners to deliver service excellence and value for money.
Who we're looking for:
We are seeking a visible, authentic and ambitious leader with significant experience within Children's Social Care and a proven track record of delivering improvement in complex environments. If you're driven to make a real impact for children and families across Dudley, we want to hear from you.
Workplace Attendance: Working in the office 3+ days a week (pro-rata) or onsite full time.
All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK. Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.
Principal Service Lead – Through Care in Dudley employer: Hurst Green
Hurst Green is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong emphasis on professional development and flexible working arrangements, the company empowers its staff to make a meaningful impact in the lives of care-experienced young people in Brierley Hill. Join a passionate team that values relationship-building and offers opportunities for growth while making a positive difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Service Lead – Through Care in Dudley
✨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 Hurst Green.
✨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 Hurst Green!
✨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 Hurst Green, 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 Hurst Green 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 Principal Service Lead – Through Care in Dudley
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 Hurst Green:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hurst Green! 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 Hurst Green
✨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.
