Locum Child Protection Service Manager
London, Greater London
Service Manager – Children’s Services (Southwark Council)
Job Overview
We are recruiting an experienced **Service Manager (Qualified Social Worker – QSW)** to join the **Southwark Council Children’s Services team**. This senior leadership role focuses on overseeing service delivery, managing multiple teams, and ensuring that children, young people, and families receive safe, effective, and high-quality support.
As a Service Manager, you will provide strategic leadership, manage performance, and drive service improvements while ensuring compliance with statutory duties and best practice.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strategic leadership and operational management across Children’s Services teams.
Oversee complex safeguarding, child protection, and looked-after children services to ensure effective outcomes.
Ensure high-quality practice through supervision, performance management, and staff development.
Lead service audits, quality assurance processes, and contribute to inspection readiness.
Develop and implement service plans in line with council priorities and statutory frameworks.
Promote a culture of continuous improvement, learning, and reflective practice.
Work in partnership with schools, health services, police, voluntary organisations, and other key stakeholders.
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant casework and service-level reporting.
Represent the service at senior management meetings, panels, and external forums.
Drive innovation in practice and contribute to strategic planning and policy development.
About You
You are an accomplished leader with substantial post-qualification experience in children’s social work and proven management experience. You can inspire and lead teams, ensure high-quality service delivery, and keep children’s needs at the centre of practice.
Requirements
Qualified Social Worker (QSW) with registration to **Social Work England**.
Extensive post-qualification experience within Children’s Services, including safeguarding and service management.
Proven leadership and management experience at team manager or service manager level.
Strong knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory frameworks, and best practice.
Excellent strategic, organisational, and communication skills.
Ability to manage budgets, resources, and service-level performance effectively.
Contract & Salary
Employer: **Southwark Council**
Service: Children’s Services
Role: Service Manager (Qualified Social Worker)
Contract type: Full-time, locum/temporary contract via Tripod Partners
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
How to Apply
If you are an experienced Qualified Social Worker ready to take on a Service Manager role within Southwark Council’s Children’s Services, we would like to hear from you. Please **apply using the form on the page**.