Service Manager - Children in Care

Are you a passionate and experienced social work leader ready to make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people in care?

Medway Council is seeking a dynamic Service Manager to lead two dedicated teams within our Children in Care Service. This is a pivotal role where you’ll drive high-quality, evidence-based social work practice, champion the voice of children and young people, and lead service improvements that make a real difference.

This is a 12 month fixed term post.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and motivate social work teams to deliver outstanding care and support.
• Be passionate and focused on achieving timely permanence for the children in our care;
• Embed the Signs of Safety practice model across the service.
• Oversee performance, quality assurance, and budget management.
• Support recruitment and retention of staff through effective supervision and development.
• Represent the service in strategic meetings and deputise for the Head of Service when required.
• Promote equality, inclusion, and anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of the role.

What We’re Looking For

• A qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualification experience in children’s services, including child protection and court work.
• Proven leadership in managing social work teams and driving service improvement.
• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, safeguarding frameworks, and practice models.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and partnership-building skills.
• A commitment to listening to and acting on the voices of children and young people.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a forward-thinking Corporate Parenting Service.
• Work in a supportive environment that values innovation and continuous learning.
• Access to professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Flexible working arrangements and a strong commitment to work-life balance.
• A chance to shape services that support some of Medway’s most vulnerable children and families.

Additional Requirements

• Enhanced DBS check
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use

Ready to lead with purpose and make a difference? Apply now and help us build brighter futures for children in care.

Our organisation:

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.

Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.

We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.

Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

Important Information-

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile

Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age

For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online

Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.