At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Placement Sufficiency programme for children in care and care leavers.
- Company: Peterborough City Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children.
- Benefits: Flexible working, supportive leadership, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a focus on collaboration and impact.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming lives and enhancing care experiences.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with Service Manager experience in Corporate Parenting.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About the Role
Peterborough City Council is seeking an experienced and driven Service Manager - Corporate Parenting to lead our Placement Sufficiency programme. This is a key leadership role focused on ensuring sufficiency of placements for children in care and care leavers. You will work closely with Service Managers across Fostering, Children in Care, and Leaving Care, providing strategic oversight and supporting senior leadership to deliver stable, high-quality homes for our children. This is an additional post created to strengthen our capacity and drive forward our ambition to reduce reliance on external residential placements and increase opportunities within foster care and kinship care settings.
Location: Sand Martin House, Peterborough
Contract: 6 Month Fixed Term
Hours: 37 hours per week
Working Pattern: Hybrid (2.5-3 days on-site required)
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver the placement sufficiency programme for children in care and care leavers
- Provide strategic oversight to ensure effective and sustainable placement planning
- Work collaboratively with internal services including fostering, CIC, and leaving care teams
- Support the Head of Service and Service Director in delivering corporate parenting priorities
- Ensure compliance with local authority sufficiency duties
- Maintain a strong on-site presence to provide visible and effective leadership
About You
- A qualified and registered Social Worker
- Experienced at Service Manager level within Corporate Parenting
- Knowledgeable in placement sufficiency and statutory responsibilities
- Ambitious for children in care, with a commitment to improving outcomes
- Highly organised, solution-focused, and outcome-driven
- Confident in working strategically while maintaining operational oversight
Benefits
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- Collaborative and supportive senior leadership environment
- The chance to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people
If you are an experienced Service Manager passionate about improving outcomes for children in care and have the drive to lead meaningful change, we would love to hear from you.
Service Manager - Corporate Parenting in Peterborough employer: Opus People Solutions Ltd
Peterborough City Council is an excellent employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work environment where you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people. With flexible and hybrid working arrangements, as well as opportunities for professional growth, this role allows you to lead impactful change while being part of a dedicated team committed to improving outcomes for children in care. Located at Sand Martin House, you will benefit from a strong on-site presence that fosters effective leadership and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Corporate Parenting in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience in corporate parenting. They might have insider info on job openings or can even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Peterborough City Council's recent initiatives in placement sufficiency. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about making a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about times you've successfully led teams or projects. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨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 you’re serious about joining our team at Peterborough City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager - Corporate Parenting in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in corporate parenting and placement sufficiency. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for improving outcomes for children in care shine through in your application. We’re looking for someone who is genuinely committed to making a difference, so share your motivations and experiences that fuel this passion.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super straightforward – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Opus People Solutions Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of placement sufficiency and the statutory responsibilities that come with it. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices in corporate parenting, as this will show your commitment and expertise during the interview.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Think about times when you’ve collaborated with different services, like fostering or leaving care teams, and be ready to discuss how you can bring that experience to the role.
✨Be Solution-Focused
Since the role is all about improving outcomes for children in care, come prepared with ideas on how to enhance placement planning. Share specific strategies you’ve implemented before that have led to positive results, demonstrating your proactive approach.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the council’s current challenges in placement sufficiency and how they envision the role contributing to their goals. This shows your genuine interest and strategic thinking.
