Service Manager

Here at Concept Resources we have a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Service Manager for a Children's Service in Middlesbrough. The role is to lead on individual service areas key management action plans, including supporting the Head of Service with the strategic development of service area plans.

To supervise and manage identified Team Managers within the service to support them and their teams to deliver a high-quality service to children and families, which helps to keep them safe and to meet their needs. To manage Middlesbrough Council's Children’s Services, providing strong leadership to managers and staff within the service. To lead in the strategic planning and operational development of the service and across all services to ensure that children and families receive a high-quality service across the child’s journey.

To ensure that the service is compliant with statutory and legislative frameworks, and to support the Head of Service at times of audit and inspection, both internally and externally.

• Strategically manage and develop the Service to ensure outcomes for children and their families are fully met to a high standard.
• Take a lead with the Head of Service in relation to service plans.
• As strategic lead for children and young people, work with key multi-agency partners within the statutory and voluntary sector, to deliver the statutory and legislative support, as well as support local need.
• Provide strong and sound line management for various teams within the whole of Children’s Services.
• Support the co-production of services to better support children and families by engaging with staff, parents/carers, and partner agencies to meet need and drive high-quality practice.
• Hold strategic responsibility for the service and ensure compliance with all statutory responsibilities, practice standards and procedures.
• Ensure all Ofsted inspection requirements are met and strive to ensure the service is of the highest quality in line with inspection requirements.
• Ensure the effective financial performance of the service through the effective use of the allocated budgets and key resources.
• Lead on key training and development of staff to meet the needs of children, young people and families and support staff to continually improve performance.
• Identify, understand, and interpret key research, legislation, and practice in order to ensure best practice to support the operation of a high-quality service.
• Develop and maintain robust data systems and use of the Data Dashboard across children’s services.
• Hold responsibility for key Children’s Services Performance Frameworks, including briefing the Head of Service on key findings, and problem solving to ensure improved performance and compliance.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with internal and external partnerships in order to achieve the best outcomes for children, young people and families.
• Conduct quality assurance audits and moderation and to give feedback to the responsible manager regarding performance and outcomes.
• Explore new ways of working which will deliver efficiencies and enhance the range of support on offer.
• Ensure children, young people and families who are open to Children’s Service have good quality advice, support and interventions to achieve their identified outcomes.
• Ensure all safeguarding arrangements including thresholds are robust and monitored.
• As Strategic Lead undertake any other duties which meet the requirements and developments within the post.

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Where managing a statutory social work service, hold a formal social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
• Hold a current UK full driving license and have access to a vehicle.

• At least 5 years’ experience at management level within a Social Care setting in the last 7 years.
• Experience of providing supervision for staff.
• Implementation of quality assurance systems.
• Experience of Inspections with regulatory bodies.
• Understanding of issues facing children, young people, and families.
• Experience of working with professionals from other agencies.
• Understanding of the complex needs of children, young people and families who require support at an Early Help Threshold and/or statutory social work services.
• Experience of managing challenging situations.
• Knowledge and experience in safeguarding procedures and confident in risk management.
• Able to engage with children, young people and adults of all ages and all levels of ability.
• Ability to work in partnership with parents/families and other professionals.
• Ability to lead on service development internally and with external partners.
• Understanding of the legal and statutory framework relating to Early Help.
• Good understanding of other agencies and how they function and provide support to vulnerable children, young people, and families.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

To apply for this position, please forward an updated copy of your CV.