At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people and manage a dedicated team to reduce missing incidents.
- Company: Leading charity focused on the safety and happiness of children and young people.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, industry-leading training, pension scheme, and employee support programmes.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: NVQ level 3 or above and experience in social care with young people.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid role with office space available at Putney (SW15) and Barnet (N12), as well as working from home.
About Us
Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future. St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK. We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do. We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.
We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong. We hope to attract applications from under-represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sexual orientation and gender-diverse identities.
About the Role
As Return Home Interview Manager, you will support the team to provide independent, high quality face-to-face support for vulnerable young people who have been missing from care, whether this takes place for the first time or if this happens regularly in order to minimise risk and reduce the number of incidents of young people going missing from home and care. You will work closely alongside the Local Authority and wider professional network to understand the reasons that young people may be missing from home or care and identify strategies to minimise the risk. Your working time for this role is split 50% as a Senior Family Support Worker and 50% undertaking management responsibilities.
St Christopher’s Academy
At St Christopher’s we can provide more than just a care job. We can offer you a career where you can develop your skills and knowledge while making a difference to young people’s lives. When you join St Christopher’s, we will set you up in your career with a tailored development plan. Whether you want to move across to a different service, become a Manager or just explore further your current role, we will support you to map out your career trajectory and help you achieve your professional ambitions. We are proud that 84% of all our Team Leaders, Deputies and Managers are internal promotions.
The successful candidate will have:
- A relevant vocational qualification at NVQ level 3 or above (DipSW, CQSW, CSS, Youth & Community etc).
- At least two years’ experience of working with young people and their families in a social care setting.
- An understanding of the Children Act 1989 and knowledge of good safeguarding practice.
- A good understanding of the social issues and challenges that young people face in society.
- Awareness of the risks facing young runaways, with particular regards to exploitation and trafficking (i.e. CSE and CCE).
- Knowledge of agencies and resources relevant to supporting families and young people in crisis.
In return we offer:
- A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
- 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
- Industry Leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s rights and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and Social Pedagogy.
- Contributory pension scheme, Enhanced Maternity and Company Sick Scheme.
- BUPA Employee Assistance Programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
- Interest-free season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme.
- Discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
- Discretionary Funded Training Programs.
- Employee Awards based on performance and length of service.
- Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.
Return Home Interview Manager employer: St Chris
St Chris is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture where dedicated individuals can truly make a difference in the lives of young people. With competitive remuneration and tailored training opportunities through our 'St Christopher’s Academy', employees are encouraged to grow professionally while working in a fulfilling environment in Ealing, United Kingdom.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Return Home Interview Manager
✨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 St Chris.
✨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 St Chris!
✨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 St Chris, 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 St Chris 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 Return Home Interview Manager
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 St Chris:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to St Chris! 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 St Chris
✨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.
