At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting children at risk, ensuring timely interventions and effective multi-agency collaboration.
- Company: City of York Council, an Outstanding Ofsted-rated authority committed to safeguarding children.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, health initiatives, flexible working, and continuous learning opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; smaller caseloads for intensive direct work with families.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with strong leadership skills and a passion for improving outcomes.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
City of York is seeking an experienced and motivated Service Manager to lead its Harm Outside the Home Team, supporting children and young people at risk of exploitation, contextual safeguarding concerns and other extra-familial harms. This is a key leadership role responsible for providing strategic and operational oversight of a specialist multidisciplinary team, ensuring children receive timely, relationship-based interventions that improve outcomes and build safety through family networks, trusted relationships and effective multi-agency working.
The post sits at the forefront of the Families First Partnership Programme, helping to embed integrated Family Help and safeguarding services across the city. The successful candidate will lead on complex decision-making, chair multi-agency meetings, influence local policy and service development, and strengthen partnerships with education, police, health, youth justice and voluntary sector organisations.
We are looking for a qualified social worker with strong leadership skills, professional curiosity and a passion for improving outcomes for vulnerable children. You will provide effective supervision, drive high standards of practice, and foster a culture of learning, reflection and continuous improvement. The team benefits from smaller caseloads, enabling intensive direct work with children and families, while also providing specialist consultation and support across wider children's services.
York's practice is underpinned by the Building Brighter Futures model and Signs of Safety, promoting relational, strengths-based, systemic and restorative approaches. As an Outstanding Ofsted-rated authority, we are committed to delivering excellent services for children and developing strong leaders to shape the future of safeguarding practice.
This post is not suitable as a job share opportunity. As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Each role at CYC is different and your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs as part of the recruitment process. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team.
City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Benefits & Rewards:
- a generous annual leave allowance
- access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
- comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives
- a reward package which recognises your contribution
- flexible working practices
- community engagement and volunteer activities
- continuous Learning & Development
- a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings
Closing date: 16 August 2026
Interview date: TBC (possibly Tuesday 1 September 2026)
Internally advertised posts are only open to CYC, WWY and Be Independent employees. Explore and Veritau employees are not eligible to apply for these posts.
Service Manager – Harm outside the Home employer: City of York Council
City of York Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the professional growth of its employees. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and a strong focus on health and wellbeing, this role not only allows you to make a meaningful impact on children's lives but also ensures a balanced and fulfilling work experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager – Harm outside the Home
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at City of York Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from City of York Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like City of York Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at City of York Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager – Harm outside the Home
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to City of York Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to City of York Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at City of York Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
