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- Tasks: Lead and support a dedicated team in fostering services for children and young people.
- Company: Join Blue Sky Fostering, a respected agency making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, birthday off, and health perks.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's futures while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and 3 years of experience.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our culture.
The predicted salary is between 44155 - 47740 £ per year.
Location: Portslade / Maidstone
Salary: £44,155 - £47,740
Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday
Blue Sky Fostering has an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Area Manager to join our Kent / Sussex and Surrey team.
Who are we? Blue Sky Fostering is an established Independent Fostering Agency, operating across the south of England, to provide foster placements to children and young people. We provide a number of different services including mainstream fostering for children aged 0-18 and Parent and Child Placements. We also have an established and well regarded Therapeutic Led Care (TLC) service where our team of experienced clinical practitioners work alongside specialist foster carers to provide therapeutic care to children to prevent them moving to residential care. Our ethos is to provide the best service possible for children, and for all children placed with us to achieve their full potential. We work hard to ensure children experience love, care, nurture and stability with our carers.
The Role: Blue Sky Fostering has a brilliant opportunity for a Deputy Area Manager to join the team. We are looking for a dedicated and dependable individual to work with and develop both the Blue Sky therapeutic and mainstream service. You will be responsible for working closely with the Team Manager to manage and develop the local social work team that supports our foster carers, children and young people in placements as well as for the recruitment, training, assessment, approval, supervision, support and development of foster carers in the local area. As a Deputy Area Manager, you will be responsible for the formal supervision and management of all social work staff in the local office, including a case supervision of clinical practitioners, as well as guiding the local administrative staff. This includes ensuring all recording systems for children, carers and staff are maintained in line with Blue Sky Fostering procedures and all tasks are completed in an effective and efficient manner to support the fostering service. You will also be required to allocate new tasks and responsibilities within the team and input into caseload discussions/decisions. The successful candidate will need to attend and report to management meetings as well as convene and chair both local team and clinical TLC meetings regarding children and young people placed with Blue Sky Fostering. You will be responsible for liaising and negotiating with Local Authorities in relation to children in placement as well as meeting regularly with them to ensure that the principles of partnership are upheld and positive working relationships are developed.
Location: For this role, willingness to travel and use of a car is essential as the successful applicant will be required to support the team and visit carers and placements across Kent/Sussex and Surrey.
What we’re looking for:
- Hold a recognised Social Work qualification
- Have a current Social Work England registration
- 3 years post qualification experience
- Leadership and management experience
- Hold a full UK Driving Licence and have a vehicle
- Are willing to undertake an enhanced DBS
- Have experience in children’s services and foster care delivery
- Willing to participate in an out of hours telephone support system and undertake occasional out of hours/weekend work by attending events, meetings and training
- Share a commitment to Equal Opportunities in all work practices and to improving the lives of Looked After Children.
Why work for us?
- Generous Annual Leave – 28 days PLUS your Bank Holiday Entitlement
- Annual Leave increase after 3 full years of service by 1 day - up until a max of 12 years
- Birthday Leave – a paid day off for your birthday
- Good Health Days – no sickness in a 6 month period and get an additional day off!
- Refer A Friend Scheme with a monetary incentive
- Comprehensive Employee Assistance Platform that provides access to advice and support 24/7
- Auto Enrolment Pension
- Learning & Development Opportunities
- Optional Private Healthcare Scheme
- Eyecare Vouchers
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Optional Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave/Shared Parental Leave
Everyone is welcome. Diversity and inclusion are the principles for how we build our teams and Blue Sky Fostering strives to create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are valued and celebrated. We want a workforce which represents the communities we serve and work, to ensure no applicant or employee is treated unfairly on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion or identity. We recognise and value the individual differences and contributions of all employees and believe that by working together we can achieve equality for all.
Deputy Area Manager employer: Olive Branch Fostering
Contact Detail:
Olive Branch Fostering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Area Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fostering and social work sectors. Attend local events or join online groups where you can connect with others. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Blue Sky Fostering thoroughly. Understand their ethos and services, especially around therapeutic care. This will help you show how your values align with theirs during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions. Think about your leadership experience and how you've supported teams in the past. We want to hear about your successes and how you can bring that to the Deputy Area Manager role!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Blue Sky Fostering.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Area Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Deputy Area Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in social work and leadership, and show us how you align with our ethos at Blue Sky Fostering.
Showcase Your Passion: We want to see your enthusiasm for working with children and young people. Share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles, especially in fostering or children's services.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, so we can easily understand your qualifications and experiences. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our website. This helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Olive Branch Fostering
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand Blue Sky Fostering's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their services, especially the Therapeutic Led Care (TLC) service. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their ethos of providing love, care, and stability for children.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Deputy Area Manager, you'll need to exhibit strong leadership qualities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight how you’ve supported social work staff and foster carers, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think about challenges you might face in managing a social work team or liaising with local authorities, and prepare thoughtful responses that showcase your experience and approach.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how they measure success in their fostering placements. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
