At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Connected Care and Kinship Fostering team to improve placements and support foster carers.
- Company: Durham County Council, dedicated to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Benefits: Personal consultant support, referral bonuses, and weekly payrolls.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment focused on equal opportunities and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through strategic leadership and service improvement.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with significant fostering experience and proven leadership skills.
Our client Durham County Council is looking for a Service Manager to join their Connected Care & Kinship Fostering team.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Connected Care and Kinship Team
- Oversee the assessment, approval, and support of kinship and connected foster carers
- Ensure compliance with Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards, and statutory guidance
- Drive improvements in placement sufficiency and stability, reducing reliance on external placements
- Provide oversight of complex and high-risk cases, ensuring robust decision-making
- Lead on quality assurance, audits, and performance management
- Work in partnership with Children in Care teams, legal services, and external agencies
- Contribute to service development, transformation, and kinship strategy
Key Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker (SW England registered)
- Significant experience within fostering services, including kinship/connected care
- Proven leadership experience at Team Manager or Service Manager level
- Strong knowledge of fostering legislation, safeguarding, and permanence planning
- Experience managing complex cases and driving service improvement
- Ability to work at pace within an agency/interim capacity
Desirable
- Experience contributing to kinship care strategy or service redesign
- Track record of improving placement stability and outcomes
- Experience working with regional or national fostering initiatives
Benefits of working with Remedy
- A personal one-one service from your highly experienced dedicated consultant.
- Top tier supplier across London giving us first access to jobs
- Referral bonus - up to £250 per person placed.
- Double payrolls each week.
Terms & Conditions apply. You will be required to fully register with Remedy for all locum positions. Remedy Social Care is an APSCo Standard agency and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the vulnerable. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the DBS. Our objective is to be an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from everyone with suitable skills and ability regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief. All applications will be accepted and reviewed solely on merit.
Service Manager - Connected care & Kinship Fostering employer: Remedy Recruitment Group
Durham County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the welfare of both employees and the community. As a Service Manager in the Connected Care & Kinship Fostering team, you will benefit from strategic leadership opportunities, professional development, and a commitment to service improvement, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Connected care & Kinship Fostering
✨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 Remedy Recruitment 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 Remedy Recruitment 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 Remedy Recruitment 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 Remedy Recruitment 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 Service Manager - Connected care & Kinship Fostering
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 Remedy Recruitment Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Remedy Recruitment 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 Remedy Recruitment 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.
