Service Manager

About the role

The Service Manager will lead the day‑to‑day operational management of the child protection enquiry and conferencing service, including the Lead Child Protection Practitioner pilot. This role combines professional leadership, statutory compliance, and a focus on the safety and wishes of children.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee Section 47 enquiries, strategy meetings, child protection conferences and related safeguarding activities.
• Line‑manage Child Protection Coordinators and Lead Child Protection Practitioners.
• Set service objectives, develop delivery plans and allocate resources.
• Promote excellent child protection practice across multi‑agency partnerships.
• Provide quality‑assurance oversight through audit, practice review, learning and training.
• Support implementation and evaluation of the LCPP pilot within national reform programmes.
• Foster a culture of learning, constructive challenge and continuous improvement.

Required profile

• Registration with Social Work England (SWE) and substantial post‑qualifying experience in children’s social work.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, statutory responsibilities and public law.
• Proven experience leading teams through change and improvement.
• Ability to inspire, support and appropriately challenge teams.
• Confidence working across agencies and influencing system‑wide outcomes.
• Experience using quality assurance and insight to drive improvement.
• Strong budget management skills and financial awareness.
• Proactive, solution‑focused approach in complex environments.

Required skills

What we offer

• Referral scheme for each successfully placed referral.
• Complimentary certified training.
• 24‑hour specialist social work consultant support.
• Employee Benefits Programme.
• Dedicated payroll support with twice‑weekly payroll.