At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead quality assurance for children's services, ensuring effective outcomes and safeguarding.
- Company: Join Wiltshire Council, a supportive workplace with a 'One Council' ethos.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working model, and commitment to inclusion and diversity.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families through strategic leadership.
- Qualifications: Experience in quality assurance, safeguarding, and service improvement required.
The predicted salary is between 64844 - 68987 £ per year.
Salary: £64,844- £68,987 per annum
Hours per week: 37 hours
Interview date: Wednesday 05 August 2026
As part of the extended leadership team within Families and Children’s Services, this key role sits within the Performance, Outcomes and Quality Assurance Service and provides strategic leadership for Wiltshire’s statutory quality assurance functions. The postholder plays a critical role in maintaining a culture of learning, continuous improvement and inspection readiness, ensuring children, young people and families receive safe, effective and outcome-focused services.
Working collaboratively across the council and with partners, you will provide independent assurance, strategic challenge and performance insight to strengthen safeguarding arrangements and improve outcomes for children.
As Service Manager – Quality Outcomes, you will provide operational leadership to Child Protection Chairs, Independent Reviewing Officers, the Independent Visiting Service, partnership scrutiny functions, the Children and Young People’s Voice Team and supporting quality assurance staff. You will maintain oversight of Child Protection, Children in Care, Care Planning, quality assurance systems, complaints and escalations, ensuring statutory requirements are met, risks are identified and services operate effectively and consistently.
The role combines strategic influence with operational leadership. You will lead the development and delivery of a robust quality assurance framework, incorporating audit, performance intelligence, feedback and learning to provide clear evidence of service effectiveness. Through analysis, scrutiny and independent challenge, you will identify strengths, risks and areas for improvement, supporting leaders and partners to deliver sustainable change.
You will oversee key statutory review processes, drive data-informed improvement, strengthen inspection readiness and provide authoritative assurance to senior leaders, elected members and partnership boards on the quality and impact of practice.
You will champion the voice of children and young people within assurance processes, promote permanence and stability, and contribute to regional and national sector-led improvement activity. Working in complex and politically sensitive environments, you will build strong partnerships, influence strategic decision-making and help ensure that services remain focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families.
If you are an experienced and inspirational leader with a strong background in quality assurance, safeguarding, performance and service improvement, and can translate assurance activity into meaningful improvement for children and families, we would welcome your application. This is an opportunity to shape practice through independent assurance, drive continuous improvement and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and young people across Wiltshire.
Why us?
Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. Our hybrid working model means office staff are on site for at least half their hours, community-based staff carry out at least half their admin time in a workplace, and customer‑facing roles work entirely from their service location.
We are committed to creating a workplace where positive relationships thrive and everyone feels engaged, supported and able to do their best. We do not tolerate discrimination, bullying or harassment. Everyone is expected to promote a culture of inclusion, dignity, trust and respect, guided by our vision and Our Identity.
Contact Details
Tim Sandle, Head of Service QA Performance and Sector Led Improvement, tim.sandle@wiltshire.gov.uk or call 01722438918 x58918.
Please ensure to regularly check your spam or junk folder for any communication from us regarding the status of your application.
Application Criteria
Please download and read the role description and person specification carefully before you apply. We understand that AI tools can support you in preparing job applications. However, we value authenticity and would encourage you to ensure your submission genuinely reflects your own experiences, skills, and motivations.
We are firmly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and to the principles of inclusion and diversity in both employment and the delivery of services.
Statement of commitment to equality and inclusion Disability Confident Employer
Application process
Wiltshire Council does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruitment agencies that are not appointed under a current, valid contract or approved supplier arrangement (including through our neutral vendor, Comensura). Submission of unsolicited CVs or candidate details to the Council, whether directly or to individual employees, will not be considered as an introduction and will not create any obligation on the Council to pay any fees. If a candidate whose details have been submitted speculatively is subsequently appointed through a compliant route, no agency fee will be payable in respect of the unsolicited submission. Agencies wishing to work with the Council must do so only via our approved procurement processes and neutral vendor arrangements.
Service Manager - Quality Outcomes Families and Children's in Trowbridge employer: Wiltshire
Wiltshire Council is an excellent employer for aspiring lifeguards, offering a supportive work environment that prioritises safety and community engagement. With opportunities for career growth through NPLQ training and a commitment to employee development, you will find a rewarding role that not only enhances your skills but also allows you to make a positive impact in the lives of pool members. Join us in a vibrant location where teamwork and public service are at the heart of what we do.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager - Quality Outcomes Families and Children's in Trowbridge
✨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 Wiltshire.
✨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 Wiltshire!
✨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 Wiltshire, 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 Wiltshire 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 - Quality Outcomes Families and Children's in Trowbridge
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 Wiltshire:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wiltshire! 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 Wiltshire
✨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.
