At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team of Social Workers in fostering services.
- Company: Join Southend's Children's Social Care service with a supportive environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and relocation package up to £8,000.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through effective care planning.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with Kinship Care experience and management skills.
The predicted salary is between 53460 - 58959 £ per year.
Location: Southend-on-Sea
Salary per annum: £53,460 - £58,959
Working Arrangements: Hybrid Working Available
Benefits: Relocation Package Available (up to £8,000)
Pertemps are seeking an experienced Fostering Team Manager to join Southend's Children's Social Care service on a permanent basis. This is an excellent opportunity for an established manager with significant Kinship Care experience to lead and develop a high-performing fostering service. Please note that candidates must have direct Kinship experience, as transferable skills alone will not be considered for shortlisting.
About the role:
- Lead, manage, and support a team of Social Workers and practitioners within the Fostering Service.
- Oversee Kinship Care assessments, ensuring all statutory requirements and timescales are met.
- Provide high-quality supervision, performance management, and professional development to team members.
- Ensure children are safeguarded and receive positive outcomes through effective care planning and service delivery.
- Manage complex fostering and kinship cases, providing guidance and oversight where required.
- Chair and contribute to fostering, kinship, and permanency planning meetings.
- Develop and maintain strong partnerships with children, families, carers, partner agencies, and other professionals.
- Ensure compliance with fostering regulations, legislation, policies, and best practice guidance.
- Monitor team performance, quality assurance, and service standards to drive continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the strategic development of fostering and kinship services across the local authority.
- Support the recruitment, assessment, approval, and retention of foster carers and kinship carers.
- Promote a culture of reflective practice, learning, and continuous improvement across the service.
About you:
- Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
- ASYE completed.
- Extensive experience within Fostering Services.
- Direct Kinship Care experience is essential.
- Previous management or supervisory experience within Children's Social Care.
- Strong knowledge of fostering regulations, safeguarding legislation, and statutory guidance.
What's on Offer?
- Competitive salary of £53,460 - £58,959.
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Minimum requirement of 2 days per week on-site.
- Relocation package of up to £8,000.
- Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities.
- Supportive and forward-thinking local authority environment.
Please note that Southend City Council does not offer sponsorship for overseas candidates.
Permanent Fostering Team Manager - Southend employer: PPR Social Care
Southend City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and forward-thinking environment for professionals in the fostering sector. With competitive salaries, hybrid working arrangements, and a generous relocation package, we prioritise employee growth and development while ensuring that our team members can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Permanent Fostering Team Manager - Southend
✨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 PPR Social Care.
✨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 PPR Social Care!
✨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 PPR Social Care, 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 PPR Social Care 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 Permanent Fostering Team Manager - Southend
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 PPR Social Care:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to PPR Social Care! 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 PPR Social Care
✨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.
