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
Service Manager - Corporate Parenting in Peterborough employer: Schools Choice
Peterborough City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. With flexible and hybrid working arrangements, this role provides the opportunity for professional growth while working alongside dedicated leaders committed to improving outcomes for those in care. Join us at Sand Martin House, where your expertise will help shape a brighter future for our community.
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 and corporate parenting sectors. Attend relevant events or webinars to meet people who can help you get your foot in the door.
✨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! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. We want to hear about your strategic oversight and how you’ve improved outcomes.
✨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 us 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 application 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!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Service Manager, leadership is key! Use your application to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive strategic initiatives. Share examples of how you've successfully managed projects or improved outcomes for children in care.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to read and free from jargon. Highlight your qualifications and experience without overcomplicating things!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Schools Choice
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of placement sufficiency and the statutory responsibilities involved. Familiarise yourself with Peterborough City Council's current initiatives and challenges in corporate parenting. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you’re genuinely invested in improving outcomes for children in care.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Service Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or projects, particularly in fostering or children in care settings. Highlight how you’ve driven change and improved processes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Collaborative Mindset
This role requires working closely with various internal services. Be ready to discuss how you’ve collaborated with different teams in the past. Think about specific instances where your teamwork led to successful outcomes, especially in complex situations involving multiple stakeholders.
✨Be Solution-Focused
The council is looking for someone who is highly organised and solution-focused. Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you approached solving them. Emphasise your ability to think strategically while keeping an eye on operational details, as this balance is crucial for the role.
