At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team providing urgent support to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children during out-of-hours.
- Company: Kent County Council, dedicated to diversity and flexibility in the workplace.
- Benefits: Attractive benefits package, including unsociable hours premium and flexible working.
- Other info: Join a supportive team and develop your social work and managerial skills.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in vulnerable children's lives while enjoying a non-traditional work schedule.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 34650 - 42350 £ per year.
If you are looking for an opportunity to develop your social work and managerial skills, this may be the right opportunity for you!
An exciting opportunity has arisen within our highly motivated, friendly, and supportive Out of Hours Kent Intake Unit service (KIU). Out of Hours KIU respond to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who arrive during the night and over weekend and bank holiday periods, ensuring they receive a safe, timely and child-focused response at an exceptionally vulnerable point in their lives. The role provides a unique opportunity to broaden social work knowledge and skills, as well as offering an alternative to standard day time working hours which will allow the successful candidate to achieve greater flexibility within their working life.
As a Team Manager, the successful candidate will provide strong operational leadership, management oversight and professional support to social workers responding to and assessing complex situations with limited information and within tight timescales. They will work closely with partner agencies, including police, health, the home office and where required, other local authorities, to coordinate effective responses to ensure children receive the right support. They will be part of the wider out of hours team manager group, supporting during times when new arrivals are less frequent and will provide leadership and direction to social workers responding to urgent situations for children and vulnerable adults across Kent and Medway.
The successful candidate will manage a small team of qualified and unqualified staff, permanent relief staff and will contribute to the management and support of the wider OOH service. Contracted hours equivalent to 37 hours per week will be worked across a rota period.
We are therefore looking for a Team Manager who:
- Is able to work evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
- Is able to promote trauma informed and culturally responsive practice.
- Is resilient, flexible, adaptable, forward thinking and positive about improving services outside normal working hours.
- Is able to work at speed and under pressure, whilst maintaining excellent triage and risk assessment skills.
- Has excellent and proven leadership skills, communication skills and is competent in and committed to the use of Information Technology.
- Has experience of or is interested in broadening their knowledge and skill base around working with unaccompanied children.
- Is looking for a change from the 9-5 routine and new professional challenges.
- Is able to cope with the demands of shift working.
KCC offer an attractive benefits package. This role includes an unsociable hours fixed market premium (pro rata where applicable). Applicants are required to hold a Degree in Social Work, CQSW/DipSW or equivalent, and must be registered with Social Work England. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England. This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence - The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability. This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements.
For further information about this role please contact Bryony Khadaroo.
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.
Team Manager - Out of Hours Service, Kent Intake Unit in England employer: Kent County Council
As a KPAS Attendance Officer with Kent County Council, you will be part of a dedicated team committed to improving school attendance for children and young people across West Kent. The Council fosters a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, offering flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development. With a focus on making a meaningful impact in the community, this role provides a unique chance to engage with various stakeholders while enjoying the benefits of a collaborative and dynamic work environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Out of Hours Service, Kent Intake Unit in England
✨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 Kent County 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 Kent County 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 Kent County 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 Kent County 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 Team Manager - Out of Hours Service, Kent Intake Unit in England
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 Kent County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kent County 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 Kent County 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.
