At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people by reviewing care packages.
- Company: Join Durham County Council, a proud equal opportunities employer.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible hybrid working arrangements.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a new team focused on impactful support for vulnerable youth.
- Qualifications: Relevant degree and experience in relationship building and budget monitoring.
The predicted salary is between 38220 - 41771 £ per year.
Do you want your work to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in our care? This is a brilliant opportunity to join a new team in a new role where your focus will be on ensuring children and young people in our care get the right support at the right time, while securing the best value for money. This post is temporary for 2 years, however there may be a possibility of it being extended beyond this point in the future.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
- You will be joining our small Durham Cares Sufficiency Programme Team, a brand new team with a clear purpose.
- As one of two Care Resource Specialists, you will review individual care packages for children and young people, working closely with the care team to understand the needs of the child or young person, and with providers to identify opportunities to reduce expenditure without compromising outcomes.
- Take a lead role in reviewing care packages, particularly high‑cost placements.
- Work with social workers, providers and partners to ensure care packages meet the needs of children and young people and are appropriate, effective and deliver value for money.
- Identify opportunities to reduce costs through negotiation, alternative provision, and smarter planning.
- Develop and embed new systems and processes to monitor placements, costs and outcomes.
- Contribute to care planning meetings and influence decisions about support arrangements.
- Track trends and outcomes.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
To apply for this new post you will need a relevant degree and/or professional qualification and experience of:
- Building effective relationships and working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
- Budget monitoring and cost control.
- Developing plans and monitoring outcomes.
- Gathering, analysing and interpreting data and preparing analytical reports.
- Working with competing demands and pressures.
- Having brave and kind conversations, challenging others constructively when needed.
Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years of continuous local government service), membership of the contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
HYBRID WORKING
Durham County Council currently operates a hybrid working policy where a model of 2 days in the workplace and 3 days at home/remote will apply. This model is pro‑rated for part time roles and arrangements are at managers discretion; alternatively you can work all of your contracted hours within the workplace if you prefer.
Care Resource Specialist in Spennymoor employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Durham County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people in our care. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer a competitive rewards package, generous annual leave, and flexible hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. Our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion ensures a supportive environment where all employees can thrive and contribute to innovative solutions in social care.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Care Resource Specialist in Spennymoor
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the care sector, especially those who work with children and young people. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its values. Show us how your experience aligns with their mission to support children and young people effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since the role involves budget monitoring and cost control, being able to discuss financial matters confidently will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Care Resource Specialist in Spennymoor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Care Resource Specialist. We want to see how you can make a real difference in the lives of children and young people, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Experience:When detailing your experience, focus on examples where you've built effective relationships and worked collaboratively with stakeholders. We love seeing how you've tackled budget monitoring and cost control in previous roles.
Be Data Savvy:Since this role involves gathering and analysing data, make sure to mention any relevant experience you have in preparing analytical reports. We’re keen to know how you’ve used data to influence decisions and improve outcomes.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Know Your Impact
Before the interview, think about how your work can truly make a difference in the lives of children and young people. Be ready to share specific examples from your past experiences where you’ve positively influenced outcomes, especially in care settings.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Skills
This role requires working closely with various stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you've built effective relationships in previous roles. Think of instances where you successfully collaborated with social workers or providers to achieve common goals.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Thinking
Since the job involves gathering and interpreting data, be prepared to talk about your experience with budget monitoring and cost control. Bring examples of how you’ve used data to inform decisions or improve processes in your previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Brave Conversations
The role mentions having 'brave and kind conversations'. Think of times when you had to challenge decisions constructively. Prepare to discuss your approach to these situations and how you ensured that the conversation remained positive and productive.
