At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop adolescent safeguarding services across the Borough.
- Company: Join a vibrant and diverse team in Bexley, London.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and coaching programmes.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and their families.
- Qualifications: Experienced social-work qualified manager with a focus on adolescent safeguarding.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join us as Service Manager for our Integrated Adolescents Service. The post holder is accountable for the leadership, performance, quality assurance and continuous development of contextual safeguarding and adolescent services across the Borough. Working within the Families First framework, the Service Manager will ensure effective practice principles for contextual safeguarding are embedded across Family Help, Child Protection, Youth Justice, Education, Health, Community Safety and wider partnership services. The Service Manager will support the Head of Service in ensuring effective delivery of the Youth Justice Strategic Plan and the Bexley Youth Offer.
You will have extensive experience in adolescent safeguarding and bring senior management experience in leading adolescent services. Appointment to this post will be subject to the outcome of an Enhanced Disclosure obtained through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Interviews are anticipated to be held week commencing 14th September.
Candidate Profile
- Experienced social-work qualified manager with significant experience in adolescent safeguarding.
About Us
Bexley is a vibrant and diverse outer London Borough nestled in the Thames Gateway between London and Kent which means it combines the perfect blend of city vibe and the tranquillity of Kent. It's got award-winning parks, open spaces, and heritage sites. The borough has excellent transport connections, including the Elizabeth Line and proximity to the M25. Bexley offers fantastic amenities such as libraries, leisure centres, and shopping areas. Our borough is also home to numerous primary and secondary schools, as well as further education institutions.
Our Offer to you
- Competitive salary
- Coaching and mentoring programmes
- An excellent pension scheme
- Generous annual leave plus bank holidays
Recruitment Information
As a disability confident employer, Bexley welcomes applications from people with all disabilities, including hidden disabilities and mental health conditions. We will interview any disabled applicant who meets the minimum criteria. This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This role may be available as a development opportunity through secondment for the Council’s existing employees. The Council’s Secondment Scheme can be found here. We reserve the right to close adverts earlier than the closing date.
Service Manager - Integrated Adolescents Service in Bexleyheath employer: London Borough of Bexley
Bexley is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development through coaching and mentoring programmes. With a strong commitment to inclusivity, we provide a competitive salary, excellent pension scheme, and generous annual leave, ensuring our Family Hub Practitioners can thrive both personally and professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Integrated Adolescents Service in Bexleyheath
✨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 London Borough of Bexley.
✨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 London Borough of Bexley!
✨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 London Borough of Bexley, 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 London Borough of Bexley 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 - Integrated Adolescents Service in Bexleyheath
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 London Borough of Bexley:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Bexley! 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 London Borough of Bexley
✨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.
