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Service Manager – Children’s Services (London Borough of Sutton)

Job Overview

We are recruiting an experienced **Service Manager (Qualified Social Worker – QSW)** to join the **London Borough of Sutton Children’s Services**. This senior leadership role involves overseeing the delivery of high-quality social work practice, managing multiple teams, and ensuring children, young people, and families receive effective safeguarding and support.

As a Service Manager, you will be responsible for strategic oversight, operational management, and service development. You will work closely with senior leaders, team managers, and multi-agency partners to drive continuous improvement, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and best practice.

Key Responsibilities

Provide leadership and operational management across Children’s Services teams.

Oversee safeguarding, child protection, and looked-after children’s services to ensure effective and safe practice.

Support and guide Team Managers to deliver high standards of social work and performance.

Contribute to service planning, policy development, and implementation of best practice.

Ensure all statutory requirements, inspections, and audits are met to a consistently high standard.

Monitor and evaluate service delivery, driving continuous improvement and innovation.

Manage budgets and resources effectively, ensuring value for money and efficiency.

Work collaboratively with schools, health, police, and voluntary sector partners to ensure integrated and coordinated services.

Promote a culture of reflective practice, learning, and professional development.

About You

You are a confident and strategic leader with extensive experience in children’s social care. You combine strong operational management skills with a commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and families.

Requirements

Qualified Social Worker (QSW) with registration to **Social Work England**.

Substantial post-qualification experience within Children’s Services.

Proven leadership or service management experience within local authority children’s social care.

Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection legislation, and statutory frameworks.

Excellent communication, organisational, and strategic leadership skills.

Experience managing budgets and resources effectively.

Ability to inspire, mentor, and support managers and social work staff.

Contract & Salary

Employer: **London Borough of Sutton**

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 step into a Service Manager role within the London Borough of Sutton’s Children’s Services, we would like to hear from you. Please **apply using the form on the page**.