At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams to provide exceptional care for vulnerable young people.
- Company: Nova Care Group, a compassionate organisation with lived experience in supporting youth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced leave, private healthcare, and funded qualifications.
- Other info: Monday to Friday role with clear career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services management and knowledge of safeguarding essential.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 52000 £ per year.
At Nova Care Group, we support young people on paths that put their safety and wellbeing at risk, providing a genuine opportunity to change direction. The young people we support have been through a lot and show this through challenging behaviours. Behind every behaviour is a story and a chance to make a difference.
As a Service Manager, you'll lead and oversee two placements, driving a culture of operational excellence, accountability, teamwork and respect across both services. You will provide visible and inspirational leadership to Deputies and Support Workers, ensuring the highest standards of care, safeguarding, compliance and team performance are consistently achieved. Operating outside of the shift rotation, you will maintain oversight of both day and night teams through the leadership of two Deputy Managers.
The role is responsible for ensuring services operate in line with regulatory requirements, organisational expectations and therapeutic approaches.
Requirements for our Service Manager:
- Experience within a management or leadership role within children's services or services supporting vulnerable young people.
- Strong working knowledge of safeguarding, compliance and risk management.
- Experience leading or supporting inspections, audits or quality assurance processes.
- Experience supporting recruitment, onboarding and staff development.
- Knowledge of CQC standards and Regulation 44 processes essential.
- Level 3 qualification within Health & Social Care or equivalent is essential.
- Level 5 Leadership & Management qualification desirable or willingness to work towards.
- Full UK Driving licence and right to work in the UK (we are not able to offer sponsorship).
What makes us different:
Nova Care Group was founded on lived experience, providing a real understanding of what it means to support a young person through crisis, complexity and the moments where others may have walked away. The support we offer our Service Manager is meaningful, practical and designed to help you thrive in your role.
What you'll receive in return:
- Competitive salary of £52,000.
- No shift work required – this is a Monday – Friday role.
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement that increases with length of service.
- Private healthcare cover.
- Fully funded Level 5 or 7 qualifications.
- Clear career and progression pathways.
- Paid sick leave and company pension scheme.
- Refer a friend scheme.
- Entitlement to Blue Light discounts.
Nova Care Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people we support. This role is subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS, employment history and reference checks.
Head of Care - Children's Services in Peterlee employer: Nova Care Group
At Nova Care Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people. Our supportive work culture fosters teamwork and accountability, while offering clear career progression opportunities and comprehensive benefits, including private healthcare and fully funded qualifications. With a focus on meaningful support and professional growth, we ensure that our Service Managers thrive in their roles, all within a Monday to Friday schedule that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Care - Children's Services in Peterlee
✨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 Nova Care Group.
✨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 Nova Care Group!
✨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 Nova Care Group, 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 Nova Care Group 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 Head of Care - Children's Services in Peterlee
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 Nova Care Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Nova Care Group! 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 Nova Care Group
✨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.
