At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support services for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Merton, recognised for outstanding children's services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary with market pay adjustments and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role focused on relationship-based practice and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with substantial management experience in children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 68884 - 71181 € per year.
Grade/Salary: MGB £63,966 - £66,378 this role currently receives 2 spinal points for market pay which takes the salary range to £68,784-£71,181 per annum.
Are you passionate about improving the lives of children in care and care experienced young people? Do you want to work within an ambitious, relational and child-centred Corporate Parenting Service that is committed to delivering outstanding support and outcomes for children and young people?
At the London Borough of Merton, we are proud that our Children’s Services have been judged Outstanding by Ofsted. In particular, our services for care experienced young people were recognised as a significant strength, with inspectors highlighting the strong relationships young people have with workers, the quality of pathway planning and the ambition and commitment shown to young people as they transition into adulthood.
We are committed to continuing to strengthen and develop our services so that children, young people and families receive the highest quality support at the right time.
We are: “A place where outstanding children’s services are offered, where children and young people feel they belong, stay safe and can thrive.”
We are now seeking an experienced, motivated and values-driven Service Manager to join our Corporate Parenting Service, leading and supporting services for Children in Care and Care Experienced Young People. This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking leadership team and contribute to the continued development of high-quality practice, strategic service improvement and positive outcomes for children and young people.
As Service Manager, you will provide both operational and strategic leadership across Children in Care and Care Experienced services, ensuring children and young people remain at the centre of all decision making. You will lead high-performing teams and work collaboratively with partners across health, education, housing, safeguarding and youth justice to ensure children and young people receive effective, aspirational and relationship-based support.
You will play a key role in:
- Driving excellent practice and performance across Corporate Parenting services
- Supporting permanence, stability and positive transitions into adulthood
- Strengthening participation and ensuring the voices of children and care experienced young people shape service delivery
- Leading and embedding relational, trauma-informed and anti-racist practice
- Supporting workforce development, reflective supervision and practice learning
- Contributing to strategic development, inspection readiness and continuous improvement activity
- Developing strong partnership and commissioning relationships to improve sufficiency and outcomes for children and young people
We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic leader who:
- Is a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
- Has substantial management experience within statutory children’s social care, particularly within Children in Care and/or Leaving Care services
- Can demonstrate strong leadership, decision-making and practice oversight skills
- Is passionate about relationship-based practice and improving outcomes for children and care experienced young people
- Has experience of leading teams through improvement and change
- Can work effectively within a multi-agency environment and build strong partnerships
- Has a strong understanding of safeguarding, corporate parenting responsibilities and relevant legislation
Our practice model combines relationship-based social work, systemic practice and Signs of Safety approaches. We are committed to restorative, trauma-informed and anti-racist practice across our services.
If you would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Rosemary Frimpong - Head of Corporate Parenting at Rosemary.Frimpong@merton.gov.uk
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer international sponsorship at this time.
Service Manager - Children in Care and Care Experienced in Merton employer: Merton Council
The London Borough of Merton is an exceptional employer, dedicated to enhancing the lives of children in care and care experienced young people. With a strong commitment to outstanding service delivery, our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Join us in making a meaningful impact within a forward-thinking team that prioritises the voices of young people and champions relational, trauma-informed practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Children in Care and Care Experienced in Merton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, especially those already working in children’s services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and recent achievements. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely passionate about improving lives for children in care.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We want you to sound authentic and relatable, just like the strong relationships you’ll be building in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Children in Care and Care Experienced in Merton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Make sure to express your passion for improving the lives of children in care and care experienced young people. We want to see your commitment to making a difference, so share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive you.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! We love it when candidates tailor their applications to reflect the specific requirements of the Service Manager role. Highlight your management experience and how it aligns with our values and goals.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you the best fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!
How to prepare for a job interview at Merton Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Service Manager, especially around Children in Care and Care Experienced services. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices, like relationship-based social work and trauma-informed approaches, so you can speak confidently about how you’d apply these in the role.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about improving lives, so let your passion shine through! Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to supporting children and young people. This will help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate that you truly care about the mission of the organisation.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your leadership and decision-making skills. Think of examples from your past where you’ve successfully led teams through challenges or implemented changes. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, current challenges the service faces, or how they measure success in their programmes. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
