At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to improve the lives of children in care.
- Company: Join a dedicated Children's Services team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career progression, and strong support for staff development.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on achieving the best outcomes for children.
- Why this job: Shape services and advocate for children’s voices in care.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care leadership and a recognised Social Work qualification.
The predicted salary is between 60913 - 64869 £ per year.
The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
£60,913 to £64,869 - salary subject to experience
Working Hours: 37
Location: Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
Closing Date: 02/08/2026
Sector: Local Councils
Business Unit: Children's Services
Job Introduction
Are you passionate about improving the lives of children in care and care experienced young people? We are looking for an exceptional and inspiring leader to become our next Service Manager for Children in Care. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated and committed service that is ambitious for children and determined to achieve the very best outcomes for every child and young person in our care.
As Service Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across our Children in Care services, ensuring that children experience stability, achieve permanence at the earliest opportunity, and are supported to thrive in all aspects of their lives. You will champion high-quality, relationship-based practice and ensure that children's voices remain at the heart of everything we do.
We are seeking a leader who is a passionate advocate for children in care, understands the responsibilities of effective corporate parenting, and can inspire others to maintain high aspirations for the children and young people we serve.
About the Role
Reporting to the Principal Service Lead, you will:
- Provide leadership and management oversight of Children in Care teams.
- Lead and support Team Managers to deliver high-quality services and achieve excellent outcomes for children and young people.
- Drive improvements in practice, performance and service delivery, ensuring children receive timely and effective support.
- Promote permanence and stability through robust care planning and partnership working.
- Promote reunification and safe returns home to family where appropriate.
- Champion the voice of children and young people and ensure their views shape service delivery and decision making.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across social care, education, health, commissioning and partner agencies.
- Lead on quality assurance, service development and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure statutory responsibilities are met and that services operate within budget and resource frameworks.
About You
We are looking for an experienced and motivated social care leader who:
- Is passionate about achieving the very best outcomes for children in care and care experienced young people.
- Demonstrates a strong commitment to corporate parenting and understands what excellent corporate parenting looks like in practice.
- Has significant experience of leading and managing Children's Social Care services.
- Can motivate, inspire and support a passionate and hardworking workforce.
- Has a proven track record of driving service improvement and delivering positive outcomes.
- Is confident in managing performance, quality assurance and complex operational challenges.
- Builds strong relationships and partnerships to improve the experiences and life chances of children and young people.
- Holds a recognised Social Work qualification and is registered with Social Work England.
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to join an ambitious Children's Service that places children and young people at the centre of everything it does. You will work alongside a committed leadership team and a passionate workforce who are dedicated to making a real difference to the lives of children in care. We are committed to supporting our staff through a strong learning and development offer, reflective supervision, and opportunities for career progression. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to shape services, support talented practitioners and help ensure that every child in our care has the opportunity to succeed and achieve their aspirations.
For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Principal Service Lead (Head of Service) – Steven Orchard. Together, we can be the corporate parent our children deserve and help them achieve brighter futures.
Service Manager - Children in Care Team 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 Service Manager - Children in Care Team
✨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 Service Manager - Children in Care Team
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.
