At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to deliver high-quality care for children and young people.
- Company: Join a dedicated organisation focused on improving children's lives.
- Benefits: 28 days leave, pension scheme, employee support, and discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services and strong leadership abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
We are seeking a passionate and experienced Service Manager and Responsible Individual to lead and develop our Children’s Residential Services. This is a pivotal role in shaping the future of care for children and young people, ensuring high standards of safeguarding, service delivery, and continuous improvement across a designated portfolio. You will be responsible for strategic planning, operational leadership, and performance management, ensuring services are aligned with both local and national priorities.
As a Service Manager, you will lead and inspire a group of teams delivering high-quality children’s social care services. You’ll develop and implement service and team plans that align with council objectives, ensuring continuous improvement and excellent outcomes for children and families. You’ll manage budgets and contracts, making sure resources are used effectively and in line with financial regulations. You’ll build strong partnerships with external agencies, contribute to safeguarding arrangements, and play a key role in shaping integrated services. You’ll also be responsible for driving a performance culture, supporting staff development through supervision and workforce planning, and ensuring that the voices of children and families are central to service design. You’ll lead change initiatives and contribute to strategic planning.
You will have extensive experience in the regulated residential sector, statutory social care and leadership. You have a strong track record of managing children’s services. You’re a confident leader who can motivate teams, manage performance, and deliver results. Your communication and negotiation skills are excellent, and you’re comfortable working with a wide range of stakeholders, including children, families, and partner agencies. You understand the regulatory landscape and have experience with inspections and service improvement. You’re strategic, adaptable, and committed to making a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check. When applying please ensure your supporting statement details how you fulfil the essential criteria set out in the person specification as this will be used for shortlisting. You will need to provide a full employment history including any gaps since leaving full time education.
We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce alongside promoting innovation and creativity whilst keeping children, young people and families at the heart of all we do. We really value our workforce and offer you a great benefits package including:
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days, after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection.
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you will be empowered to make good professional decisions
- Extensive Learning
Service Manager - Children's Homes employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
As a Service Manager at our Children's Homes, you will join a dedicated team committed to delivering high-quality care and support for children and young people. Our organisation values continuous improvement and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements, all within a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Located in a vibrant community, we provide opportunities to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in social care.
Contact Details:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Children's Homes
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the children's services sector. We all know that sometimes it's not just what you know, but who you know. Attend relevant events or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your passion for making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the organisation thoroughly and understand their values and objectives. We want you to be able to demonstrate how your experience aligns with their mission to improve the lives of children and young people.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've motivated teams and driven performance in your previous roles. We believe that sharing real-life stories can make a lasting impression on interviewers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. We encourage you to submit your application early, especially since this role might close sooner than expected if we receive enough interest.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Children's Homes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for children's services shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure your supporting statement directly addresses the essential criteria in the person specification. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your experience and skills, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out.
Apply Early!:Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We might close the vacancy early if we get enough applications, so get yours in as soon as you can through our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Service Manager in children's homes. Brush up on safeguarding standards, service delivery metrics, and the regulatory landscape. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you motivated staff, managed performance, or implemented change initiatives. This will demonstrate your capability to inspire and drive results in a challenging environment.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with local and national priorities related to children's services. Be ready to discuss how you would align your team's objectives with these priorities. This shows that you’re strategic and can think beyond day-to-day operations.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Don’t just wait for questions; engage with your interviewers. Ask insightful questions about their current challenges and how they measure success. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values and vision.
