At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead teams to ensure children and young people thrive in South Ayrshire.
- Company: Join an ambitious Council dedicated to community wellbeing and improvement.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping innovative services.
- Qualifications: Leadership experience and a passion for child welfare are essential.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
As a dynamic innovative leader, you will strive to ensure that the Children and Young People of South Ayrshire Grow Well, Live Well and Age Well. Within your portfolio you will have direct leadership of Locality Children & Family Teams, Initial Response Team and oversee child protection. You will also continue the drive to embed Signs of Safety Framework and demonstrate the values within this.
Working within the Children’s Health Care and Justice management team, you will exhibit the drive, values and leadership required to shape a highly ambitious and improved Children's Health and Justice Service South Ayrshire. Working in collaboration with partners you will be a key leader, responsible for the delivery of the Children's Health and Justice Services key strategic aims and objectives, ensuring that Children and Young People remain at the center of all that we do. Additionally, your role will contribute to wider Service agendas working with Elected Members, NHS Non Executives, Heads of Service, senior officers and stakeholders across partner organisations.
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
- 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
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Interviews for this post are scheduled for 12/03/2026. The grade of this post is Level 14. 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.
Service Manager (Children\'s Services) - Whitletts Social Work Office - SOA12299 - SOA12299 employer: South Ayrshire Council
South Ayrshire Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, competitive salaries, and generous leave entitlements, we foster a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Our commitment to professional growth and community engagement ensures that you will play a vital role in shaping the future of our diverse and thriving communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager (Children\'s Services) - Whitletts Social Work Office - SOA12299 - SOA12299
✨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 South Ayrshire 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 South Ayrshire 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 South Ayrshire 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 South Ayrshire 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 Service Manager (Children\'s Services) - Whitletts Social Work Office - SOA12299 - SOA12299
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 South Ayrshire Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to South Ayrshire 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 South Ayrshire 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.
