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- Tasks: Lead and manage social work services to improve outcomes for children and families.
- Company: Join South Ayrshire Council, dedicated to community wellbeing and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, excellent pension, generous leave, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work leadership and a passion for community service.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
To be responsible for leadership and management of authority wide functions of the Social Work Service in order to promote and integrate Performance Improvement and Business Support activities designed to support the achievement of the Council's key objectives specifically in relation to Community Planning, Shared commitments, Single Outcome Agreement and Best Value. To provide excellent leadership and clear direction to locality and other Social Work Services and to lead on specific areas of operation, strategy and development of services to meet the changing demands which delivers customer focused outcomes for children and families within South Ayrshire.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Please click on the Job Attachments to access the Job Description.
ABOUT US
South Ayrshire is at the heart of historic Ayrshire, with a wealth of local heritage and culture, first class leisure amenities, world-wide travel links, diverse landscapes and thriving communities. Making a difference for our communities is at the heart of what we do and working with us means, you can use your skills, knowledge and experience to help us do just that. We currently employ around 6000 people to serve a population of more than 112,000 people located across a diverse area that includes the towns of Ayr, Girvan, Maybole, Prestwick and Troon as well as small rural villages, coastline and farmland. We are an ambitious Council, and we aim to place people at the centre of everything we do as we look to deliver the best possible outcomes. We are ambitious for our communities too and our new Council Plan is based on priorities and outcomes that we believe will have the greatest impact on the wellbeing of our communities, our local economy, and our environment.
BENEFITS
Here’s what we can offer!
- Competitive salary
- Excellent pension scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement and enhanced leave scheme (purchase of up to 2 weeks' holidays)
- Wellbeing initiatives and Occupational Health services
- A healthy environment supportive of work-life balance and caring responsibilities
- Car leasing scheme
- Discounts on major supermarkets and retailers, cinemas and gym memberships (including Council leisure facilities)
- Purchase of white goods and more via salary sacrifice
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Scotwest Credit Union
REQUIREMENTS
This post is considered to be Regulated Work with children and/or protected adults as specified in the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) (PVG) Act 2007. Accordingly, the preferred candidate will be required to become a member of the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme update if already a Scheme member, prior to any formal offer of employment being made. If you wish further information on the PVG Scheme you can visit the Disclosure Scotland website at www.disclosurescotland.co.uk. Please note you may be required to meet PVG costs. This post is subject to a Level 1 Disclosure, and you may be required to meet the cost.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Interviews for this post are scheduled for 29/05/2026. The grade of this post is Level 16. The work style for this post is Hybrid Worker. The successful candidate will be required to work flexibly between home and the office and the frequency for attending the office may vary depending on the exigencies of the service.
Senior Manager (Children's Services) - Whitletts Area Centre - SOA12486 - SOA12486 in Ayr employer: South Ayrshire Council
Contact Detail:
South Ayrshire Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manager (Children's Services) - Whitletts Area Centre - SOA12486 - SOA12486 in Ayr
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with children's services. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching South Ayrshire Council's recent initiatives and community projects. Show us that you’re not just interested in the role, but also passionate about making a difference in our communities.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! We want to hear about your past experiences leading teams and driving performance improvements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨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 South Ayrshire.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manager (Children's Services) - Whitletts Area Centre - SOA12486 - SOA12486 in Ayr
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Community: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for making a difference in the community shine through. We want to see how your values align with our mission to improve outcomes for children and families in South Ayrshire.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in leadership and social work services. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage and improve services effectively, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so use simple language and structure your thoughts well. This will help us understand your qualifications and fit for the role quickly.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can process your application smoothly. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Ayrshire Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Senior Manager in Children's Services. Familiarise yourself with the key objectives of the Council, especially around Community Planning and Best Value. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their goals during the interview.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, particularly in social work or community services. Think about times when you've successfully led teams or projects that resulted in positive outcomes for children and families. Be ready to discuss these in detail.
✨Understand the Local Context
Research South Ayrshire and its communities. Knowing the local heritage, culture, and specific challenges faced by the area will show your commitment and understanding of the role. It’s a great way to connect your experience to the needs of the community.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. Inquire about the Council's current initiatives in children's services or how they measure success in their community planning efforts. This shows your genuine interest and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.