Locum Child Protection Service Manager
London, Greater London
Registered Service Manager – Children’s Services (Southwark Council)
Job Overview
We are recruiting an experienced **Registered Service Manager (Qualified Social Worker – QSW)** to join **Southwark Council Children’s Services**. This senior leadership role focuses on managing residential or specialist children’s services, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and providing safe, high-quality care that supports children and young people to thrive.
As a Registered Service Manager, you will be responsible for the operational management of the service, leading and developing staff teams, ensuring high standards of safeguarding, and maintaining regulatory compliance. You will drive service improvement and innovation while keeping children at the heart of all decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
Provide day-to-day leadership and operational management of children’s services.
Ensure the service complies with Ofsted regulations, statutory frameworks, and Southwark Council policies.
Oversee safeguarding practices and ensure robust systems are in place to protect children and young people.
Lead, mentor, and develop staff teams, promoting reflective supervision and continuous professional development.
Implement effective quality assurance processes, audits, and performance monitoring.
Develop and deliver improvement plans to ensure high standards of care and support.
Work closely with children, families, and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
Prepare and present detailed reports for inspections, reviews, and senior management.
Promote a culture of child-centred practice, ensuring the voices of children and young people are central to service delivery.
About You
You are an experienced leader in children’s services with a strong track record of managing teams and services. You combine operational management expertise with a passion for safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and young people.
Requirements
Qualified Social Worker (QSW) with registration to **Social Work England**.
Previous experience in a Registered Manager or equivalent leadership role in children’s services.
Comprehensive understanding of child protection legislation, Ofsted regulations, and statutory frameworks.
Proven ability to lead and motivate staff teams.
Strong communication, organisational, and leadership skills.
Experience of delivering service improvement and achieving high inspection outcomes.
Contract & Salary
Employer: **Southwark Council**
Service: Children’s Services
Role: Registered 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 Registered Service Manager ready to take on a leadership role within Southwark Council’s Children’s Services, we would like to hear from you. Please **apply using the form on the page**.