At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage Family Help and Child Protection services to ensure children's safety and family support.
- Company: Milton Keynes City Council, dedicated to creating safer and healthier communities.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, excellent pension, family-friendly policies, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to collaboration and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with significant management experience in children and families social work.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 € per year.
We're seeking an experienced and values-led Service Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across Family Help and Child Protection services at Milton Keynes City Council. This is a pivotal leadership role within our Child First, Family Led approach. You'll drive integrated practice, strong partnership working and high-quality outcomes so that children are safe and families are supported to thrive.
You'll oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of Family Help and Protection services, including Family Help teams, Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPTs) and the Contextual Safeguarding Team. Working closely with safeguarding partners such as Police, Health and Education, you'll ensure effective multi-agency pathways, robust practice standards and a strong learning culture. This is a rewarding role for an experienced social work leader who wants to make a meaningful difference in a growing and ambitious city.
Site-Based role
This is a Site-Based role, and you'll be expected to work from the designated workplace.
Main Responsibility
- Provide visible leadership and management oversight across Family Help, Multi Agency Child Protection and Contextual Safeguarding services, ensuring safe, effective and timely practice.
- Lead change, co-design and practice development aligned to the Child First, Family Led approach, driving high standards in assessment, planning and direct work.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with Police, Health and other agencies, contributing to and chairing multi-agency forums where required.
- Ensure statutory duties and safeguarding guidance are applied effectively, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004.
- Oversee performance management, audit activity, risk management and service improvement, using data and feedback to improve outcomes and reduce demand escalation.
- Line manage Team Managers and oversee resources, including workforce development, recruitment, retention, budgets and inspection readiness.
The Ideal Candidate
- A qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration.
- An experienced leader with significant post-qualifying experience in children and families social work, including substantial management experience and a strong track record of improving practice and outcomes.
- Highly knowledgeable about safeguarding, statutory responsibilities and assessment frameworks.
- Confident in delivering robust supervision and quality assurance, using audit, performance information and feedback to drive improvement.
- Able to manage competing priorities, risk and resources in a complex operational environment.
- A clear and confident communicator who works effectively with colleagues, partners, children and families.
- Someone whose approach reflects our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
- Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.
To be successful in this role, you'll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If we offer you the role, we'll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence and vehicle insurance, including cover for business use. We're unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received. As part of the pre-employment checks, should you be offered the role, we'll carry out an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, (unless you are currently registered with the DBS Update Service).
Package Description
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension - everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme - low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us?
Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live. We're very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
Service Manager - Children's Services (Milton Keynes) employer: Milton Keynes City Council
Milton Keynes City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the community. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees benefit from extensive training opportunities and a range of family-friendly policies, including generous annual leave and a robust pension scheme. Working in this pivotal role allows you to make a meaningful impact on children's lives while being part of a diverse and dedicated team in a thriving city.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Children's Services (Milton Keynes)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who are already working at Milton Keynes City Council. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the Child First, Family Led approach. Show us that you understand the values and how you can contribute to making a difference in children's lives. We love candidates who align with our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. Think about your leadership style and how you've driven improvements in past roles. We want to hear about your successes and how you can bring that to our team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our dedicated team at Milton Keynes City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Children's Services (Milton Keynes)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Service Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a pivotal leader, it's essential to demonstrate your leadership style and achievements in your application. Share specific examples of how you've driven change and improved outcomes in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This will help us see your qualifications quickly.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! This ensures that we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at Milton Keynes City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Service Manager, especially around Family Help and Child Protection services. Brush up on relevant legislation like the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in managing teams and driving improvements in practice. Think about specific situations where you’ve led change or developed partnerships with agencies like Police and Health, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role requires strong partnership working, come equipped with stories that demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Discuss how you’ve worked with multi-agency teams in the past and the positive outcomes that resulted from those collaborations.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities in complex situations. Practice articulating your thought process and how you would handle various challenges related to safeguarding and service delivery.
