Head of Children in Care Services

Northamptonshire Children's Trust; Northampton; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

SWE Registration paid yearly

Relocation costs up to £8,000

28 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme + life

Purchase up to 25 days leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Employee discounts

Flexible working including enhanced M/

Career development opportunities

Subsidised town centre car parking

Job summary

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is seeking an experienced Service Manager for Children in Care. You will lead a social work team to deliver safe, stable care planning and drive improvements in outcomes for children and families.

You will report to the Strategic Manager of Children in Care and work with partners to enhance permanence, placement stability and wellbeing. You will ensure budgets and resources align with priorities and regulatory requirements while coaching teams to achieve high

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with ongoing Social Work England registration.
• Experience with management or leadership in a children’s social care setting preferred.
• Budgetary control experience and ability to monitor and report expenditure.
• Strong ICT skills and ability to use information systems for performance reporting.
• Proven leadership of high-performing teams and change management.
• Excellent communication, influencing and partnership skills across agencies.

Responsibilities

• Deliver child-centred care planning focusing on safety, stability, permanence and wellbeing.
• Lead service improvement and embed relational practice.
• Ensure strong performance, quality assurance and statutory compliance.
• Strengthen partnerships to support stability, family time and lifelong networks.
• Ensure services reflect children’s voices and individual needs.
• Provide professional leadership for Children in Care Service and develop service plans.
• Oversee budgets and resources in line with priorities and regulations.

Skills

Social Work

Leadership

Budget Management

Communication

Influencing & Partnerships

ICT Skills

Team Leadership

Education

Social Work England Registration

Level 5 NVQ Management

Job description

Northamptonshire Children’s Trust is seeking an experienced Service Manager for Children in Care. You will lead a social work team to deliver safe, stable care planning and drive improvements in outcomes for children and families.

You will report to the Strategic Manager of Children in Care and work with partners to enhance permanence, placement stability and wellbeing. You will ensure budgets and resources align with priorities and regulatory requirements while coaching teams to achieve high