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: Join us to create stable, high-quality homes for children in care.
- 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
Service Manager - Corporate Parenting employer: Opus People Solutions Ltd
Peterborough City Council is an exceptional 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, this role as Service Manager – Corporate Parenting provides ample opportunities for professional growth and development while being part of a dedicated team focused on improving outcomes for children in care. Located in Sand Martin House, Peterborough, you will benefit from a strong leadership presence and the chance to drive impactful change within the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Corporate Parenting
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd.
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd!
✨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 Opus People Solutions Ltd, 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 Opus People Solutions Ltd 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 Service Manager - Corporate Parenting
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 Opus People Solutions Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Opus People Solutions Ltd! 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 Opus People Solutions Ltd
✨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.
