At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and oversee teams to ensure high-quality assessments for children and families.
- Company: Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, committed to innovation and putting children first.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, supportive leadership team, and the chance to shape children's services.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on continuous improvement and child-centred practice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives by driving service excellence and improvements.
- Qualifications: Experienced social worker with leadership skills and a strong understanding of assessment practices.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an experienced, strategic, and passionate Service Manager to lead our Assessment Service at Dudley Children’s Services. In this pivotal leadership role you will oversee multiple teams at the front door, ensuring consistency, quality of practice, and strong decision‑making for children and families at the earliest point of contact. At Dudley Children’s Services, we are committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and putting children first.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and oversight to Team Managers across the Assessment Service
- Work closely with the Service Managers and Principal Service Leads in Family Help to manage demand across areas
- Drive consistency of practice, performance, and decision‑making across all teams
- Ensure delivery of timely, high‑quality assessments that are analytical and outcome‑focused
- Maintain oversight of risk, thresholds and safeguarding decisions at the front door
- Lead on service development and continuous improvement, embedding best practice across teams
- Manage service demand and performance, ensuring resources are used effectively
- Support and develop Team Managers to deliver strong leadership and high standards of practice
- Work closely with partners to ensure a coordinated, multi‑agency approach
- Contribute to strategic planning and service direction alongside the Principal Service Lead
Qualifications
- Qualified and highly experienced social worker with substantial leadership experience in children’s services
- Strong understanding of front‑door services, thresholds, and assessment practice
- Experience leading managers and driving service‑wide improvements
- Confidence in making complex decisions in high‑pressure environments
- Track record of improving performance, quality and outcomes for children
- Strong communicator, able to influence, challenge and support at all levels
- Commitment to delivering consistent, high‑quality, child‑centred practice across services
Benefits
- Lead a critical front‑line service, shaping practice at the earliest stage of a child’s journey
- Drive consistency and excellence across multiple teams
- Work as part of a supportive and ambitious senior leadership team
- Influence service‑wide improvement and strategic direction
- Benefit from hybrid working, with an expectation of 3 in‑person office‑based days per week
Service Manager - Assessment Service in Brierley Hill employer: WMJobs
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and continuous improvement are at the forefront of our mission to support children and families. As a Service Manager in our Assessment Service, you will lead dedicated teams while benefiting from a supportive senior leadership structure and opportunities for professional growth. With a commitment to high-quality, child-centred practice and the flexibility of hybrid working, Dudley Children’s Services is the ideal place for passionate leaders looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Assessment Service in Brierley Hill
✨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 WMJobs.
✨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 WMJobs!
✨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 WMJobs, 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 WMJobs 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 - Assessment Service in Brierley Hill
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 WMJobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to WMJobs! 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 WMJobs
✨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.
