Interim Service Manager – IFD / MASH / EDT / Early Help Hubs
Location:Cambridgeshire
Base:HEX – Cambridgeshire Police Headquarters
Working Pattern:Approximately 3 days per week at HEX, with flexibility to travel as required
Contract:Interim / Temporary
We are currently recruiting for an experiencedInterim Service Managerto lead within theIntegrated Front Door (IFD), coveringMASH, Emergency Duty Team (EDT) and Early Help Hubs.
This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced social work manager who can provide strong operational leadership, manage risk and drive high-quality safeguarding practice across a fast-paced front-door service.
The Role
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing, developing and continuously improving the delivery of ahigh-quality, effective and responsive social work servicefor children and families.
You will ensure that children and families receive timely interventions that are consistent with statutory requirements, national standards and effective safeguarding practice.
A key part of the role will bemanaging risk and ensuring the safe and effective delivery of servicesto children living in complex family circumstances, including children assessed as being at risk of significant harm and children for whom the Local Authority acts as Corporate Parent.
You will provide visible leadership across the service, supporting managers and practitioners to make sound, evidence-based decisions and achieve positive outcomes for children.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strong operational and professional leadership acrossIFD, MASH, EDT and Early Help Hubs.
- Manage and oversee safeguarding practice, ensuring children are appropriately assessed and protected from harm.
- Provide advice, challenge and management oversight on complex and high-risk cases.
- Ensure effectivethreshold decision-making, screening, information-sharing and referrals.
- Manage risk effectively and ensure appropriate escalation where required.
- Ensure practice is compliant with relevant legislation, statutory guidance and local procedures.
- Drive continuous improvement in social work practice, performance and service delivery.
- Monitor team performance, quality and outcomes, taking appropriate action where standards are not met.
- Support managers and practitioners with complex casework and professional decision-making.
- Ensure timely and appropriate responses to children and families in need of support or protection.
- Promote effective partnership working across children's services and withPolice, Health, Education and other multi-agency partners.
- Contribute to service development, quality assurance and improvement activity.
- Ensure the service operates effectively within a multi-agency safeguarding environment.
- Provide strong leadership during periods of high demand and manage competing priorities effectively.
What We’re Looking For
You will be an experiencedChildren's Social Care Service Manager / Senior Managerwith significant experience of working within a safeguarding and front-door environment.
You should have:
- A recognisedSocial Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- Significant management experience withinChildren's Social Care.
- Strong experience ofMASH / IFD / Front Door / EDT / Early Helpenvironments.
- Extensive safeguarding and child protection experience.
- Proven experience of managing complex and high-risk cases.
- Strong knowledge of statutory children's social care requirements and safeguarding practice.
- Experience of managing performance, quality and practice standards.
- Excellent risk assessment and decision-making skills.
- Strong multi-agency partnership experience, particularly with Police and other safeguarding partners.
- The ability to provide confident professional challenge and management oversight.
- Experience of leading teams through periods of significant demand and change.
- Strong communication, leadership and organisational skills.
Important Requirement
You must be able to travel to HEX – Cambridgeshire Police Headquarters – approximately 3 days per week.
This is an important requirement of the role due to the multi-agency nature of the IFD/MASH service.
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced children’s social care manager to take on a senior interim position within ahigh-profile, multi-agency safeguarding service, working alongside Police and other key partners to ensure children and families receive safe, timely and effective support.
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Service manager MASH EDT employer: We Do Social Work
We Do Social Work is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a Social Work Assistant in the Children & Families team, you will benefit from ongoing training and professional growth opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in a vibrant area, our organisation values flexibility and encourages a healthy work-life balance, making it an ideal place for those passionate about social work.
