At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a caring team to create a nurturing home for children in need.
- Company: Scottish Borders Council, dedicated to improving children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join us in creating a loving home where children feel valued and supported.
- Why this job: Shape a new service and help children thrive in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social services and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 26307 - 32153 £ per year.
Help create a home where children feel safe, valued, loved and able to thrive. Scottish Borders Council is establishing a new children's residential home designed to provide high-quality, nurturing care for children and young people who are unable to live within their family home. This is a unique opportunity to shape a new service from the outset and create a home where children experience stability, belonging and positive relationships that help them flourish.
We are looking for an experienced, compassionate and inspirational Registered Manager who is passionate about improving the lives of children and young people. You will lead the development of a warm, caring and trauma-responsive home where children feel listened to, respected and supported to reach their full potential.
As Registered Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the leadership, management and development of the home, ensuring the highest standards of care and support are provided at all times. You will create a culture built on relationships, trust, kindness and respect, leading a dedicated team to deliver care that recognises the impact of trauma and adversity on children's lives. Your leadership will help ensure that every child experiences safety, consistency, nurturing relationships and a genuine sense of belonging.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and developing a high-performing residential care team.
- Creating an environment where children feel safe, cared for, respected and heard.
- Embedding trauma-responsive, relationship-based and therapeutic approaches to care.
- Promoting children's rights, participation and involvement in decisions that affect their lives.
- Supporting children to develop confidence, resilience, emotional wellbeing and independence.
- Building strong partnerships with families and professionals to support positive outcomes.
- Ensuring compliance with all regulatory, legislative and safeguarding requirements.
- Driving continuous improvement, reflective practice and a positive learning culture.
- Supporting and developing a workforce that feels valued, supported and able to provide excellent care.
You will be an experienced leader with a strong commitment to delivering outstanding care and support for children and young people. Most importantly, you will believe in the power of relationships to transform lives. You will understand how trauma and adverse childhood experiences can impact development, behaviour and wellbeing, and you will be committed to responding with curiosity, compassion and care.
You will be able to inspire, motivate and support others to provide exceptional care; lead with warmth, empathy and professional confidence; build trusting relationships with children, families and partners; create a culture of nurture, inclusion and high aspiration; champion children's rights, voice and participation; support staff through reflective supervision, learning and development; and balance strong operational leadership with a compassionate, child-centred approach.
This is more than a management role. It is an opportunity to create a home where children can recover from adversity, build positive memories and develop lasting relationships that support them throughout their lives.
We believe children thrive when they experience love, care, stability and a sense of belonging. We are committed to creating a home where children are supported to feel safe, build trusted relationships, develop confidence and achieve their aspirations.
Essential qualifications include:
- Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF level 9 is a reaccredited qualification.
- Registered Managers Award.
- Registration with SSSC.
- A current driving licence and use of a vehicle is an essential requirement of this post.
If you have a disability which precludes you from holding a drivers licence, Scottish Borders Council will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability. Should it be possible to make such an adjustment in order that you can undertake the travel responsibilities of the post, this will be taken into account in consideration for this role.
Informal enquiries may be made to Andrew Parker at aparker@scotborders.gov.uk.
Scottish Borders Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. In particular from candidates who assess themselves as having a disability, under the Disability Confident Employer scheme this guarantees an interview to those individuals who meet the essential criteria of the post. All appointments will be made on merit.
Borders Council is committed to providing support for Armed Forces Veterans. Showing its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, the Council guarantees an interview to veterans who meet the essential criteria of the post. All appointments will be made on merit.
Employability Support – The Employability Service - For support on completing job applications, Scottish Borders residents can access free support from our specialist Employability Team. Please contact us via the switchboard 01835 824000 asking to be transferred to the Employability Service or email employability@scotborders.gov.uk.
You can also find more about the support we have to offer, by visiting our website for more information.
Children's Residential Manager - SBO10513 employer: Scottish Borders council
Earlston High School, part of the Scottish Borders Council, is an excellent employer that prioritises the professional development and well-being of its staff. With a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, teachers are encouraged to grow through continuous professional development opportunities while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young learners in a vibrant community. Located in the picturesque Scottish Borders, the school offers a unique environment where educators can thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Residential Manager - SBO10513
✨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 Scottish Borders council.
✨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 Scottish Borders council!
✨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 Scottish Borders council, 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 Scottish Borders council 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 Children's Residential Manager - SBO10513
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 Scottish Borders council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Scottish Borders council! 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 Scottish Borders council
✨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.
