At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative services supporting children and families to thrive.
- Company: Gloucestershire County Council, committed to improving lives.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a supportive culture.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on children's futures and community wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Leadership experience in children's services and relevant qualifications.
Job Location: Gloucestershire
This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.
Salary: £60,532 - £63,895 per annum
Hours per Week: 37.00
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Duration: 24 months
Closing Date: 23/08/2026
This post is open to job share.
Help shape the future for children, young people and families. Are you an inspiring leader with a passion for improving outcomes for children and families? We are looking for an exceptional Early Help, Best Start Family Hub Service Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across Early Help, Best Start in Life and Family Hub services on a fixed term basis. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the development of innovative, integrated services that support children, young people and families to thrive. You will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering our vision for Best Start in Life Family Hubs, working collaboratively with partners across health, education, early years, social care and the voluntary and community sector.
About the role:
- Reporting to the Head of Service for Early Help and Targeted Support and the Head of Service Early Years and childcare, you will be responsible for driving the quality, performance and impact of Early Help, Best Start in Life and Family Hub services.
- You will lead a small multidisciplinary team, champion relationship-based and systemic practice, and ensure services are responsive, effective and focused on improving the lived experience of children and families.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the operational delivery of the Best Start in Life programme and local plan.
- Driving the development and embedding of Best Start Family Hubs as a whole-system, place-based model.
- Providing leadership and line management to multidisciplinary practitioners.
- Maintaining a strong culture of learning, quality assurance and continuous improvement.
- Monitoring performance, outcomes and impact across service areas.
- Building and sustaining effective partnerships across agencies and sectors.
- Contributing to strategic planning, commissioning and service redesign.
- Representing the service at senior partnership boards and governance forums.
- Ensuring effective use of resources and budget management.
- Deputising for the Head of Service when required.
About you:
You will be a skilled and forward-thinking leader with a proven track record of delivering improved outcomes for children, young people and families. You will bring:
- Significant leadership experience within children's services, early help, education, health, social care or related fields.
- Experience of leading complex programmes, service transformation or system change.
- Strong understanding of Early Help, Family Hub and Best Start in Life approaches.
- Experience of working across multi-agency partnerships and influencing at a senior level.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, national policy and integrated service delivery models.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building and leadership skills.
- The ability to translate strategic priorities into successful operational delivery.
- Emotional resilience, adaptability and a commitment to supporting staff wellbeing.
Essential qualifications:
- Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline.
- Professional qualification in a relevant field such as social work, education, youth work, health, housing, employment or criminal justice.
- Level 5 Leadership and Management qualification, or willingness to work towards one.
Desirable:
- Qualification in coaching and/or mentoring.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to make a lasting difference for children, young people and families while joining an ambitious organisation committed to innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement. We offer:
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- A supportive and inclusive leadership culture.
- Professional development and career progression opportunities.
- A commitment to staff wellbeing.
- The chance to influence and shape services at a strategic level.
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Sarah Hylton at [contact information]. Interviews are due to take place in person week commencing 7th and 14th September.
Additional Information:
- This position is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.
- Requires travel across the county.
- May involve occasional work outside normal office hours.
- Is designated as a politically restricted post under the Local Government and Housing Act.
If you are passionate about leading change, developing partnerships and improving outcomes for children and families, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and help us create the best start in life for every child.
Service Manager, Early Help and Best Start in Life employer: Gloucestershire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact in the community. With flexible hybrid working options and opportunities for professional growth, staff are encouraged to develop their skills in a collaborative environment dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people in care.
Contact Details:
Gloucestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager, Early Help and Best Start in Life
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Gloucestershire County Council, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager, Early Help and Best Start in Life
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Gloucestershire County Council. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Gloucestershire County Council. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire County Council
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Gloucestershire County Council.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Service Manager, Early Help and Best Start in Life role at Gloucestershire County Council, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Gloucestershire County Council that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
