At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead safeguarding services and ensure effective interventions for children at risk.
- Company: Join Torbay Council's Children's Services, dedicated to high-quality practice.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, market supplement, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on continuous improvement and partnership working.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your leadership career.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with management experience in safeguarding services.
The full time equivalent salary of £60,916 to £64,736 includes an amount for a market supplement of £5,152 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.
Are you an experienced social work leader with a passion for safeguarding children and achieving outstanding outcomes?
Torbay Children's Services is seeking a dynamic and ambitious Service Manager (Safeguarding) to lead one of our safeguarding services within the Decisive Multi Agency Child Protection System. Reporting directly to the Head of Service, you will provide strategic leadership, performance management and practice oversight across a multi-disciplinary safeguarding service. You will lead and support Team Managers to ensure children who are at risk of harm receive timely, effective and child-centred interventions that improve their lives.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a service committed to high-quality practice, strong partnership working and continuous improvement. You will play a pivotal role in shaping service delivery, driving performance, developing staff and embedding evidence-informed practice across safeguarding services.
We're looking for someone who:
- Is a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Has substantial experience working with children and families within statutory children’s services.
- Has successful management experience within safeguarding services.
- Can confidently lead, support and challenge managers to achieve excellent outcomes.
- Has a strong understanding of safeguarding legislation, Working Together 2023 and child protection practice.
- Is committed to workforce development, reflective supervision and creating a positive learning culture.
What you’ll bring:
- Inspirational leadership and strong decision-making abilities.
- Experience of improving service performance and quality.
- The ability to build effective partnerships across agencies.
- A passion for helping children, young people and families achieve positive outcomes.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your leadership career and help shape the future of safeguarding services in Torbay, we’d love to hear from you.
This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.
Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 24th August 2026. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Our adverts do sometimes close early - even where there's a published deadline - so if you're keen, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills Essential:
- Significant decision-making skills - the ability to analyse information, draw conclusions and effect judgments based on outcomes and risk.
- Proven problem-solving skills - the ability to identify causes, make objective and informed judgments that demonstrates emotional resilience and balance.
- Proven ability to work effectively to ensure delivery of a team or teams within a children’s social care service to deliver outcomes for children and young people.
- Ability to appraise and motivate staff in a way that ensures compliance with policies but also enables individuals to develop.
- Proven skills in delivering key performance requirements linked to statutory delivery for a Children’s social care setting.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Knowledge Essential:
- Thorough understanding of current legislation and DfE guidance and developments in services to children young people and families.
- Thorough understanding of the professional practice relating to safeguarding and working with complex families including the role of the TSCP and Working Together 2023.
- Knowledge and understanding of the full range of activities delivered by the Authority and partners in relation to children, young people and families.
- Ability to demonstrate awareness and understanding of equal opportunities.
- Awareness of effective management practices including use of effective supervision and performance management.
Experience & Qualifications Essential:
- Social Work Degree.
- Current Registration with Social Work England.
- Significant experience working with children and families in the context of current legislation and government initiatives.
- Understanding and experience of performance monitoring and performance management techniques to drive service improvement.
- Experience of managing teams and assuring compliance to policy and procedures.
Service Manager (Safeguarding) - 37 hours in Torquay employer: Torbay Council
Torbay Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional development of its staff. With a focus on collaboration and community impact, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities and a chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals with complex care needs. Located in the picturesque Torbay area, the council provides a unique environment that fosters both personal and professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager (Safeguarding) - 37 hours in Torquay
✨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 Torbay Council.
✨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 Torbay Council!
✨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 Torbay Council, 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 Torbay Council 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 (Safeguarding) - 37 hours in Torquay
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 Torbay Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Torbay Council! 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 Torbay Council
✨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.
