At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support teams to ensure high-quality safeguarding interventions for children and families.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on child welfare and community impact.
- Benefits: Training opportunities, flexible working, and a friendly environment.
- Other info: Join us in vibrant Slough, just outside London, with great transport links.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with management experience in Children's Social Care.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Service Manager to provide operational leadership across our Assessment & Intervention Service, ensuring children and families receive timely, effective and high-quality safeguarding interventions.
Reporting to the Head of Service, you will lead and support Team Managers across the service, driving excellent practice, strong performance, and positive outcomes for children.
You will provide oversight of complex safeguarding work, support decision-making in high-risk cases, and ensure statutory responsibilities are consistently met.
Key responsibilities include
- Providing operational leadership across Assessment & Intervention teams.
- Directly managing and supporting Team Managers to drive high-quality practice and performance.
- Maintaining oversight of complex safeguarding, child protection and legal interventions.
- Monitoring service demand, caseloads and workforce capacity to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
- Leading quality assurance, audit activity and continuous service improvement.
- Working collaboratively with partners and the MASH Service Manager to ensure a seamless Front Door service.
- Supporting strategic service development and deputising for the Head of Service as required.
The successful candidate will be an accomplished safeguarding leader with substantial management experience within Children's Social Care.
You will have a proven track record of leading high-performing teams, managing complex risk, improving service quality, and delivering positive outcomes for children.
This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated senior leader to play a key role in shaping and developing an ambitious Assessment & Intervention Service committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
- Significant management experience within Children's Social Care.
- Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, statutory social work and legal frameworks.
- Experience of performance management, workforce development and service improvement.
- Ability to lead effectively within a demanding and fast-paced environment.
We operate on a hybrid working model, with a minimum requirement of three days per week in the office.
Please note this arrangement is fixed; therefore, we kindly ask that candidates who are unable to commit to being office‑based three days per week are not submitted for this role.
In return, we can offer you
- Training and development opportunities
- Agile working supported by technology
- Flexible working policies
- Friendly working environment and great colleagues.
Slough is one of the UK’s most diverse and well‑connected towns, offering a vibrant place to live and work just outside London.
Ongoing regeneration and investment have enhanced local amenities, public spaces and employment opportunities, while the cost of living remains more affordable than central London.
With direct trains to Central London in under 20 minutes and excellent road links via the M4, M25 and M40, Slough is an accessible and welcoming location to build your career.
Our Values and Commitment
We are driven by our vision to ensure
Happy, Safe & Loved, Thriving children and young people. Our work is guided by strong values — being child focused , honest and respectful , improving constantly , looking ahead , and delivering together .
We are looking for people who share these values and are passionate about making a positive difference.
In return, we offer a supportive, inclusive environment where collaboration, learning and care truly matter.
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Service Manager - A&I (permanent) in Slough employer: Slough Children First
Slough Children First is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the community. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and professional growth, employees benefit from a supportive work culture and flexible hybrid working arrangements that promote work-life balance. Joining our team means being part of a dedicated organisation committed to safeguarding and enhancing the welfare of children in Slough.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - A&I (permanent) in Slough
✨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 Slough Children First.
✨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 Slough Children First!
✨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 Slough Children First, 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 Slough Children First 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 - A&I (permanent) in Slough
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 Slough Children First:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Slough Children First! 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 Slough Children First
✨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.
