At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead children's services, focusing on safeguarding and improving outcomes for families.
- Company: Join a dedicated team committed to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to drive meaningful change.
- Other info: Opportunity to shape the future of safeguarding practices and support a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming children's services and enhancing community support.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work leadership and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
As our Head of Front Door, you will lead a critical area of children's services, with responsibility for children in need, child protection, pre-proceedings and court work.
This is a significant leadership role at the heart of our improvement journey.
We are looking for a restorative, experienced and resilient senior leader who can bring clarity, grip and pace, while also creating the conditions for strong, confident and relationship-based practice to flourish.
You will have a relentless commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and families, and to ensuring that the quality of practice across safeguarding is consistently strong, purposeful and child focused.
You will understand the complexity of statutory social work and will be able to support managers and practitioners to make good decisions, manage risk well, and work effectively with families, partners and the wider system.
We are making real progress, but we know there is more to do.
You will play a key role in driving the next stage of that improvement, ensuring that our plans translate into visible, sustained change for children and families.
You will be able to hold the line on quality, performance and practice, while also bringing people with you through challenge, support and clear leadership.
You will work closely with senior colleagues, partners and the wider Council to strengthen safeguarding arrangements, improve the quality and timeliness of our work, and ensure that children receive the right help and protection at the right time.
You will be confident working with courts, legal services, multi-agency partners and external scrutiny, recognising the value that challenge and oversight bring to improving practice.
This role requires someone who can combine strategic leadership with operational grip.
You will use data, audit, quality assurance and direct feedback from children, families and practitioners to understand what is working well, where practice needs to improve, and what action is needed.
You will identify gaps, unblock barriers and ensure that improvement activity is focused on what matters most.
As Head of Service Safeguarding, you will also have a key role in developing managers and practitioners across the service.
You will be committed to building confidence, capability and consistency, supporting a culture where colleagues feel valued, challenged and supported to do their best work.
If you are interested in this role please send your updated CV in the first instance
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service - Front Door team in Swindon
✨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 Supply Staff Limited.
✨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 Supply Staff Limited!
✨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 Supply Staff Limited, 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 Supply Staff Limited 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 Head of Service - Front Door team in Swindon
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 Supply Staff Limited:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Supply Staff Limited! 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 Supply Staff Limited
✨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.
