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, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive change and develop high-quality practice in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team dedicated to improving lives and outcomes for young people.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with 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 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, as evidenced by our Ofsted rating, we foster a collaborative and supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and values-driven leadership. Join us in making a meaningful impact within a forward-thinking team that champions relationship-based practice and continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Children in Care and Care Experienced
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, especially those already working in children’s services. Attend events or webinars related to corporate parenting and connect with others who share your passion for improving lives.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's values and recent achievements. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their commitment to outstanding support for children and young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you’ve led teams through change or improvement. Highlight your ability to build strong partnerships and how you’ve made a positive impact in previous roles.
✨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 genuinely interested in joining our mission to support children in care.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Children in Care and Care Experienced
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 smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need right there!
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 would apply these in your role.
✨Show Your Passion
This role is all about improving the lives of children and young people, so let your passion shine through! Share specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your commitment to relationship-based practice and how you've positively impacted young people's lives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about real-life scenarios you might face as a Service Manager. Think about challenges you’ve encountered in previous roles and how you navigated them. Be ready to discuss your decision-making process and how you ensure children and young people remain at the centre of all decisions.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the Corporate Parenting Service and its future direction. This shows you’re not just interested in the role, but also in contributing to the team’s goals and the overall mission of supporting children and young people.
