Job Introduction
We’re recruiting a dedicated Service Manager to lead our Corporate Parenting service and help us make a real difference for children in care and care-experienced young people across Milton Keynes.
You’ll join a well-organised and supportive team that works as one council to make every day matter for our children and young people.
Your leadership will shape high quality care planning and ensure every child receives the support they need to thrive.
This is a site-based role
Interviews for this role will be held on 5 March
Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
In this rewarding leadership role, you’ll:
- Provide operational and strategic leadership to Corporate Parenting colleagues so they deliver high quality, child-centred practice.
- Ensure care plans for children in care and care-experienced young people are strong, holistic and focused on positive outcomes.
- Monitor and improve practice across the service, making sure colleagues work in line with our framework and values.
- Build strong partnerships with health, education, police and other agencies to support the best outcomes for children.
- Work closely with the Children’s Services leadership team, contributing to wider priorities and development.
- Represent Corporate Parenting in multi-agency panels, partnership boards and MK Together workstreams.
The Ideal Candidate
We’re looking for someone who is:
- A qualified social worker registered with Social Work England, with significant experience working with children and families.
- Skilled in leading teams, managing complex situations and improving practice.
- An excellent communicator who can build positive relationships with colleagues, partners, children and families.
- Confident making thoughtful decisions and using evidence to support improvements.
- Someone who works in line with our values: dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
- A strategic thinker who understands local government environments and challenges.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If you’re offered the position, we’ll ask for proof of your licence and vehicle insurance, including business use cover. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to confirm your appointment without these documents.
If you’re offered the role, we’ll arrange an Enhanced DBS check as part of our pre-employment process (unless you’re already registered with the DBS Update Service).
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
