At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team supporting care leavers to build bright futures.
- Company: Kent County Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for young adults.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, £3000 retention bonus, and tailored professional development.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team committed to corporate parenting and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of care experienced young people.
- Qualifications: Social work degree, professional registration, and extensive post-qualification experience.
The predicted salary is between 37338 - 44962 £ per year.
Would you like to be part of a good Service, leading a team of passionate and dedicated Personal Advisors? Do you have what it takes to build positive and beneficial relationships with young individuals? Would you like to improve the outcomes for care experienced young people? Would you like to support young people to build bright and stable futures for themselves? Would you like to spend every day at work knowing that you have made a difference in the lives of young people? If yes, we have the perfect role for you!
The 18+ Care Leavers Service has a vacancy for Team Manager to join the service operating from the Worrall House office location at West Malling. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a dynamic, forward thinking Service which Ofsted rated Requires Improvement in its delivery of services to care experienced 18plus Care Leavers.
The post provides an opportunity to lead and manage a team of dedicated Personal Advisers (approximately 7) supported by two experienced Senior Personal Advisers in the delivery of an Outstanding leaving care service. The post will also be supported by two Service Managers and two Heads of Service.
The successful candidate will provide support, direction, good management oversight and regular supervision. You will play a key role in delivering and improving the services to our Care Leavers, championing our commitment to the principles of corporate parenting. As part of our management team, you’ll be a vital link between Personal Advisers and those who make strategic decisions about Childrens Services, and your input will ensure that resources are utilised effectively.
In return, you’ll enjoy an attractive benefits package (including an annual retention package of £3000), a competitive salary and tailored professional development opportunities and regular supervision with nurturing leadership. Leading a close-knit team, you’ll be instrumental in promoting the principles of corporate parenting, delivering and improving services for children and young people. Allocating resources and workload, and managing the team budget, you’ll ensure the provision of cost-effective services.
Your day-to-day support and high-quality caseload supervision will ensure your team can meet the complex and changing demands of the service, in its mission to help care experienced young adults in their transitions to help them develop into successful and resilient young adults.
About you
With your social work degree (CQSW, DipSW or equivalent) you must have a professional registration with Social Work England and have extensive post-qualification experience. This experience should include supervision, budget management, and joint working with partners in the statutory, private and voluntary sectors. You should be confident in your ability to lead and develop a team. And, with an in-depth understanding of safeguarding procedures, legislative frameworks and social work theories relating to child services, you’ll have the expertise needed to contribute to practice and policy development.
In return, we offer an attractive benefits package, a competitive salary and a range of professional development opportunities.
About us
At the 18+ Care Leavers Service we want the best for the young adults of Kent, and this can only be delivered as a team effort with everyone playing their part. The service has continued to expand taking a multi-disciplinary approach to support Personal Advisors to meet the needs of young adults. The service is currently split over two bases, one at Worrall House, West Malling and one at Thistley Hill in Dover. With a strong commitment to the ideas of corporate parenting the service is looking for like-minded creative Teams Manager to join the service and help us to consistently improve the outcomes and opportunities for our care leavers agreed 18 to 25 years old.
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.
Team Manager For 18+ Care Leavers Service (22+ Team) employer: Kent County Council
Kent County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. With opportunities for professional growth in the health and social care sector, employees can make a meaningful impact in the lives of adults with disabilities while enjoying the benefits of working in a community-focused environment on the beautiful Isle of Sheppey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager For 18+ Care Leavers Service (22+ 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 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 For 18+ Care Leavers Service (22+ 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 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.
