At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape children's social care services, ensuring effective support for families.
- Company: Ealing Council, dedicated to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, commitment to diversity, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading impactful social care reforms.
- Qualifications: Recognised social work qualification and significant experience in children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 46300 - 52100 £ per year.
Ealing Council is strengthening its Family Help system and recruiting a Service Manager to develop a cohesive leadership cohort across our Front Door Family Pathways and Family Help Service. This role will shape children's social care reform, strengthen early help and safeguarding pathways, and ensure children and families receive timely, appropriate support.
As a Service Manager you will provide visible, relational and accountable leadership across key areas of children's social care, ensuring high quality practice, strong decision‐making and excellent outcomes for children, young people and families.
Roles will be aligned to:
- Family Help Pathways (including integrated response, family help assessments and decision‐making)
You will work as part of a collective Service Manager cohort, reporting to a Head of Service and contributing to a supportive, high‐challenge senior management culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the day‐to‐day delivery of statutory and non‐statutory children's social care services, ensuring children are safeguarded and supported effectively.
- Provide clear leadership and oversight to Team Managers, ensuring high‐quality supervision, consistent standards and professional development.
- Make and oversee timely, proportionate and defensible safeguarding decisions, including at points of referral, assessment, escalation, and closure.
- Drive continuous service improvement through audit, performance data, learning and reflective practice.
- Embed relationship‐based, trauma‐informed and strengths‐based approaches, including effective responses to adolescent risk and external familial harm.
- Strengthen multi‐agency working with police, health, education, voluntary and community partners.
- Play an active role in children's social care reform, strengthening Family Help, early intervention and effective front‐door pathways in line with national expectations.
- Contribute to service planning, workforce development, budget management and inspection readiness.
- Deputise for the Head of Service as required and provide cross‐service leadership cover.
Qualifications and Experience
- A recognised social work qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW or equivalent) and registration with Social Work England.
- Significant post‐qualification experience in children's social care.
- Proven experience as a Team Manager or Service Manager, with responsibility for statutory services.
- A strong track record of leading teams, managing performance and improving practice.
- In‐depth knowledge of children's legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding frameworks.
- Experience of multi‐agency working and partnership leadership.
- Confidence in leading change, managing risk and making sound professional judgements.
- A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, staff wellbeing and workforce development.
Additional Information
Ealing Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels respected and supported.
You must have the right to work in the UK. Evidence for the right to work in the UK will be requested at the interview stage. We cannot provide sponsorship for this position.
Closing date for applications: Monday 22 June 2026
Service Manager (Family Help) in London employer: Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing)
Ealing Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. As a Service Manager in the Family Help system, you will benefit from a strong emphasis on professional development, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to safeguarding children and families. With a focus on continuous improvement and multi-agency partnerships, this role offers meaningful opportunities to make a positive impact in the community while enjoying a culture that values diversity and staff wellbeing.
Contact Details:
Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager (Family Help) in London
✨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 Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing).
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
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✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
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✨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 Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing) 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 (Family Help) in London
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 Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing):Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing)! 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 Ealing Council (London Borough of Ealing)
✨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.
