• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Suffolk, base to be confirmed. Hybrid working
• Salary: £60,135 – £71,634 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week, flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

As a modern, flexible and effective organisation, we’re driven to make a positive difference to the children, young people, families and communities we serve, and to the careers of our people.

That’s why, when you join us as Service Manager, you’ll be encouraged to bring fresh thinking, provide confident leadership and help shape high-quality independent safeguarding and reviewing arrangements across Suffolk.

Reimagine the possibilities.

Your role and responsibilities

As Service Manager for Children’s Independent Statutory Services, you will provide strategic leadership and oversight across Suffolk’s independent statutory functions for children in care and child protection.

You will:

• lead the delivery and ongoing development of Children’s Independent Statutory Services, ensuring effective oversight, scrutiny and review of services for children and young people.
• provide robust independent challenge and professional scrutiny to promote high-quality practice and positive outcomes.
• champion Suffolk’s Signs of Safety and Wellbeing practice framework, embedding its principles across statutory services.
• work collaboratively with operational leaders and partner agencies, including Police, Health and Education, to strengthen safeguarding arrangements and multi-agency partnerships.
• drive quality assurance, performance management and service improvement activity, using evidence, learning and feedback to enhance practice.
• contribute to the wider leadership of Children and Young People’s Services as part of a committed and ambitious management team dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families across Suffolk.

What you will need

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• a recognised social work qualification, Social Work England registration and significant management experience within children’s services.
• proven ability to provide strategic and operational leadership across complex statutory services.
• extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, safeguarding practice and emerging research.
• confidence in delivering independent scrutiny, constructive challenge and professional advice in complex and sensitive situations.
• excellent analytical, report-writing and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and partnership boards.
• experience of leading, supporting and developing highly skilled practitioners working within children in care and child protection services.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile, which you can find in the ‘How to apply’ section towards the bottom of this advert.

If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

The team

Children’s Independent Statutory Services is made up of experienced and passionate professionals who provide independent oversight, review and challenge to ensure children and young people receive the support they need.

You will lead and support a highly skilled team, creating an environment that promotes professional excellence, continuous learning and high-quality practice. Together, the team plays a vital role in driving positive outcomes and ensuring the voices of children and young people remain at the heart of decision-making.

What we will offer you

In return, we offer:

• a comprehensive induction, regular supervision and ongoing professional development opportunities
• access to peer support, reflective practice and collaboration with senior leaders and partners across the county
• the opportunity to shape and influence independent statutory practice within a high-performing service
• a rewarding leadership role where you can make a significant difference to the lives of children, young people and families across Suffolk.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader looking to drive service improvement, support excellent practice and lead a dedicated team delivering vital statutory services.

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

Please contact Allison Hassey (she/her) for a casual conversation. You can reach her by calling 07717302309 or emailing allison.hassey@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).

Tell us about a time when you provided independent oversight and challenge that led to improved practice or better outcomes for children and young people. What was your role and what was the impact?

How do you lead, support and develop experienced practitioners within statutory children’s social care services to ensure high-quality practice and continuous improvement?

Describe how you would use performance data, quality assurance findings, and feedback from children, families and partner organisations to evaluate service effectiveness and drive improvement within Children’s Independent Statutory Services.

Step 4 – Upload a CV (Curriculum Vitae) (without name and personal details).

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

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills, experience and ideas. If used inappropriately, your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand what’s acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 27 September 2026.

Interview date: 5 October at West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct.

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. #LI-Hybrid

As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Plus lots more!

If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).