Service Manager - Children's Services

We're seeking an experienced and values-led Service Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across Family Help and Child Protection services at Milton Keynes City Council. This is a pivotal leadership role within our Child First, Family Led approach. You'll drive integrated practice, strong partnership working and high-quality outcomes so that children are safe and families are supported to thrive. You'll oversee the delivery and continuous improvement of Family Help and Protection services, including Family Help teams, Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPTs) and the Contextual Safeguarding Team. Working closely with safeguarding partners such as Police, Health and Education, you'll ensure effective multi-agency pathways, robust practice standards and a strong learning culture. This is a rewarding role for an experienced social work leader who wants to make a meaningful difference in a growing and ambitious city.

Site-Based role: This is a Site-Based role, and you'll be expected to work from the designated workplace. Interviews for this role will be held on 15 June.

At Milton Keynes City Council, we aim to make a difference every day. We're dedicated, respectful and collaborative. We act as one council, and we work hard to create cleaner, safer and healthier communities while tackling inequalities and supporting people to thrive.

• Provide visible leadership and management oversight across Family Help, Multi Agency Child Protection and Contextual Safeguarding services, ensuring safe, effective and timely practice.
• Lead change, co-design and practice development aligned to the Child First, Family Led approach, driving high standards in assessment, planning and direct work.
• Develop and maintain strong partnerships with Police, Health and other agencies, contributing to and chairing multi-agency forums where required.
• Ensure statutory duties and safeguarding guidance are applied effectively, including the Children Act 1989 and 2004.
• Oversee performance management, audit activity, risk management and service improvement, using data and feedback to improve outcomes and reduce demand escalation.
• Line manage Team Managers and oversee resources, including workforce development, recruitment, retention, budgets and inspection readiness.

• A qualified social worker with current Social Work England registration.
• An experienced leader with significant post-qualifying experience in children and families social work, including substantial management experience and a strong track record of improving practice and outcomes.
• Highly knowledgeable about safeguarding, statutory responsibilities and assessment frameworks.
• Confident in delivering robust supervision and quality assurance, using audit, performance information and feedback to drive improvement.
• Able to manage competing priorities, risk and resources in a complex operational environment.
• A clear and confident communicator who works effectively with colleagues, partners, children and families.
• Someone whose approach reflects our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.

Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle: To be successful in this role, you'll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If we offer you the role, we'll ask you to provide evidence of your driving licence and vehicle insurance, including cover for business use. We're unable to confirm an appointment until these documents are received. As part of the pre-employment checks, should you be offered the role, we'll carry out an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, unless you are currently registered with the DBS Update Service.

In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including: Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public holidays.