Service Manager - Integrated Front Door and MASH (INTERNAL) in Ipswich

Address: Landmark House, Ipswich IP1 5PB – On-site

Salary: £60,135 to £71,634 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available

Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As Service Manager – Integrated Front Door (IFD) and MASH in Children and Young People’s Services, you’ll see the direct impact of your leadership on the safety and wellbeing of children and families across Suffolk. This is a key operational leadership role within a fast‑paced, high‑volume safeguarding countywide service, offering the opportunity to shape practice, support managers and influence outcomes at the front door.

Your role and responsibilities

In this county-wide role, you’ll take a lead in the day‑to‑day delivery of the Integrated Front Door, providing clear management oversight and first‑line decision‑making to ensure children receive timely, proportionate and safe responses. You’ll work closely with managers and partner agencies, supporting effective safeguarding decisions, managing demand and ensuring the service operates at pace while maintaining high standards of practice.

On a daily basis, you’ll:

• Provide management oversight and decision support to managers responding to contacts and referrals
• Ensure the effective running of the Integrated Front Door and MASH, prioritising safeguarding and risk management
• Oversee rota and pod arrangements, ensuring staffing capacity meets service demand
• Work collaboratively with multi‑agency partners, contributing to shared safeguarding decisions
• Lead and contribute to quality assurance activity, including auditing and dip‑sampling of practice
• Support recruitment, retention and staff development within the service
• Deputise for the Head of Service as required, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision‑making

This is a high‑autonomy role where you’ll be trusted to use your professional judgement, work at pace and lead confidently within a complex safeguarding environment.

You will need

We’re looking for a leader who brings:

• A Social Work qualification and registration with the relevant Social Work regulatory body
• A strong understanding of safeguarding practice, risk and thresholds
• Experience of leading high‑volume, fast‑paced services
• Confidence in decision‑making, management oversight and partnership working
• The ability to manage resources, rotas and service demand effectively
• A commitment to quality assurance, learning and continuous improvement.

The Integrated Front Door is a multi‑agency service bringing together social care, police, health, education and other partners to provide a single point of contact for safeguarding concerns. Working within a pod‑based model, the service plays a vital role in Suffolk’s Families First approach, supporting early decision‑making, information sharing and timely intervention. You’ll join a committed and experienced leadership team focused on collaboration, continuous improvement and making the best possible decisions for children and families.

Empowering everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

For more information

For a casual conversation about the role, please contact Sarah Adams, Assistant Director for Family Help by calling 01473 265656 or by emailing sarah.adams@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (Word). Step 2 - Click ‘Apply Now’ to start your online application. Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 May 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.