At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Connected Care and Kinship Fostering Service, ensuring compliance and driving improvements.
- Company: Durham County Council, a supportive and well-resourced organisation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and a supportive management team.
- Other info: Great transport links and a stable working environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with significant fostering experience and proven leadership.
The predicted salary is between 34.25 - 34.25 £ per hour.
Durham County Council is seeking an experienced Agency Service Manager to lead its Connected Care and Kinship Fostering Service in Seaham, County Durham (SR7 7TT). This is a senior leadership role at £34.25 per hour, available from 29 June 2026.
You will provide strategic and operational leadership across the Connected Care and Kinship Team, overseeing the assessment, approval, and support of kinship and connected foster carers. Key responsibilities include:
- Ensuring compliance with Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards, and statutory guidance;
- Driving improvements in placement sufficiency and stability;
- Providing oversight of complex and high-risk cases;
- Leading on quality assurance, audits, and performance management;
- Working in partnership with Children in Care teams, legal services, and external agencies;
- Contributing to service development, transformation, and kinship strategy.
Candidates must be a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with significant experience in fostering services including kinship and connected care, and proven leadership at Team Manager or Service Manager level. A strong knowledge of fostering legislation, safeguarding, and permanence planning is essential, alongside the ability to work at pace in an agency or interim capacity.
Desirable experience includes:
- Contributing to kinship care strategy or service redesign;
- A track record of improving placement stability and outcomes;
- Experience with regional or national fostering initiatives.
Hybrid working is available subject to service need.
Benefits include:
- Excellent, competitive pay rates – paid weekly;
- Supportive management team with approachable, experienced leaders;
- A desirable location with great transport links;
- A stable, well-resourced, and encouraging working environment.
Childrens Service Manager – Connected Care & Kinship Fostering – #5299154 in Seaham employer: Semester.co.uk
Durham County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and well-resourced environment for its employees. As a Childrens Service Manager in Seaham, you will benefit from competitive pay rates, a collaborative management team, and opportunities for professional growth within a meaningful role that directly impacts the lives of children and families. The council's commitment to service development and transformation ensures that you will be part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to improving outcomes in kinship and connected care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Service Manager – Connected Care & Kinship Fostering – #5299154 in Seaham
✨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 Semester.co.uk.
✨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 Semester.co.uk!
✨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 Semester.co.uk, 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 Semester.co.uk 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 Childrens Service Manager – Connected Care & Kinship Fostering – #5299154 in Seaham
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 Semester.co.uk:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Semester.co.uk! 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 Semester.co.uk
✨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.
