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- Tasks: Manage day-to-day operations of a reception centre for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
- Company: Kent County Council, dedicated to supporting vulnerable young people.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, and excellent pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of UAS children and support their resettlement journey.
- Qualifications: Experience with UAS children and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to excellence in social work practice.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 34000 £ per year.
Role Responsibility
Please note that shortlisting decisions will be based on the whole application, including the ‘How you meet the requirements of the role’ section. Within this section, please demonstrate how you meet the criteria within the person specification attached to the Job Description and why you would like to work with UAS children.
Kent County Council’s Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking (UAS) Children’s Service provides accommodation and support to newly arrived UAS children in Kent. The Service is developing as a centre of excellence for social work practice nationally and we are seeking passionate individuals to join our service.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the Service’s Reception Centre team. The Reception and Safe Care Services are Kent County Council owned, Ofsted regulated, children’s homes and supported accommodation, collectively termed Reception Centres. The Reception Centres, and the services they provide to children, are run by a diverse team of managers and workers, who are all committed to ensuring children are protected and supported to take the first steps in their journey to a more permanent home elsewhere in the UK.
This role is for Acacia Court Reception Centre. Acacia Court is based in Faversham, Kent and is named after the Umbrella Thorn Acacia Trees of Sudan. Acacia Court provides supported accommodation for UAS children aged 16-17 years old, with a capacity of up to 32 children. Acacia Court was opened in July 2024 and is already establishing links with local services and organisations in the community for young people to access a variety of activities. This newly established Reception Centre is located in a calm residential area, with surrounding orchards.
This Reception Centre is subject to Ofsted regulations for Support Accommodation 2023.
We are seeking Reception Centre Managers who can support the day-to-day running of the reception centre, ensuring that all UAS children begin their resettlement journey with the support they need. The manager needs to be able to role model good practice and organise staff to support all UAS children during their stay from practical objectives and learning, through to emotional support.
We are looking for managers who have worked with UAS children previously and who have the energy and drive to strive for the best. If you are passionate about UAS children, enthusiastic and can lead by example, please apply.
This post will be required to work across a rolling shift pattern, with weekly alternating shifts, and regular cover over weekends.
KCC’s employment offer for this role includes:
- Full induction
- Training and development opportunities
- Basic salary of between £34,421 to £38,304.
- Annual leave allowance of 29 days (increasing to 30 days with 5 years\’ service)
- Excellent local government pension scheme
- Opportunities to develop in your career
- The opportunity to expand and develop your knowledge and skills of working with children seeking asylum
Please Read:
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service.
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. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.
If you have queries regarding this role, please contact the Team on Nicky.Clarke@kent.gov.uk
About the Company
Work that works for you and us – let\’s talk flexibility!
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 possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.
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Reception Centre Manager - Acacia Court (UASC) employer: Kent County Council
Contact Detail:
Kent County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Reception Centre Manager - Acacia Court (UASC)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, especially those who work with UAS children. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even recommendations.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Show us your passion for supporting UAS children and how you can contribute to their journey. We love candidates who align with our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you articulate your experiences and demonstrate your leadership skills effectively when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals ready to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Reception Centre Manager - Acacia Court (UASC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When you're writing your application, let your passion for working with UAS children shine through. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to support these young people, as this will resonate with us at StudySmarter.
Tailor Your Responses: Make sure to carefully read the person specification and tailor your responses to highlight how you meet each criterion. We want to see specific examples of your experience and skills that align with the role, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why you’re a great fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter and ready to take the next step in your career.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kent County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and person specification. Understand the key responsibilities and requirements for the Reception Centre Manager role, especially how your experience aligns with supporting UAS children. This will help you articulate your fit during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for working with UAS children. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to their welfare and development. This will resonate well with the interviewers and show that you genuinely care about the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think of examples from your past work where you successfully managed conflicts or provided emotional support to young people. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare a few insightful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.