At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Black Country Fostering Hub to enhance foster carer recruitment and support.
- Company: Walsall Council, an outstanding local authority dedicated to children's services.
- Benefits: Opportunity to influence fostering practices and make a lasting impact.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to continuous improvement and excellence.
- Why this job: Shape a new regional service and improve outcomes for children and foster carers.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services and fostering leadership required.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced fostering leader to shape and lead the Black Country Fostering Hub, a new regional model designed to strengthen foster carer recruitment, assessment, approval and support. Working across the Black Country, you will play a key role in helping more children and young people live in safe, stable and loving local foster homes.
Working with partner local authorities, the Service Manager will lead the mobilisation of the Hub:
- Lead the mobilisation and delivery of the Black Country Fostering Hub.
- Embed consistent regional practice across partner local authorities.
- Improve recruitment and assessment performance, including enquiry conversion, timeliness, approvals and retention.
- Ensure a responsive and supportive experience for applicants, carers, children and young people.
- Provide effective leadership and management to Hub staff, using data and quality assurance to drive improvement.
- Strengthen partnership working and governance, ensuring the Hub operates in line with fostering regulations, safeguarding requirements, and partnership governance.
About you
You will be a confident, credible and values-driven leader with substantial experience in children's services and fostering. You will understand placement sufficiency, foster carer recruitment and the importance of high-quality support for carers and children, and you will bring the professional judgement needed to lead a new regional service through mobilisation and early delivery. You will be skilled in leading change, managing performance, working across partnerships and motivating teams to deliver improved outcomes.
Why join us?
Although this is a fixed-term role, it offers an opportunity to establish a new regional service, influence practice across four local authority areas and leave a lasting legacy in fostering recruitment and support. In return, you will lead a high-profile, DfE-funded regional programme from mobilisation through to delivery, working with senior leaders and partners across the Black Country to develop a service that has real impact for children, foster carers and local communities.
If you are an ambitious, collaborative and resilient leader who is passionate about improving fostering services, we would welcome your application.
Service Manager in Walsall employer: Walsall Council
As a School Organisation Officer, you will join a supportive and dynamic team dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for children. Our organisation values professional development, offering numerous growth opportunities and a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee well-being. Located in a vibrant community, we provide a meaningful role where your contributions directly impact the lives of families and children in the area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager in Walsall
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Walsall Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager in Walsall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Walsall Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Walsall Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Walsall Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Walsall Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Service Manager role at Walsall Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Walsall Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
