Service Manager - Childrens Social Work Teams

We are seeking a Service Manager to join our Children’s Social Work Team and help achieve our vision for all our children, young people and families in Medway.

You will have overall operational manager responsibility for four teams, with a specific focus on children in need, those in need of protection and their families and those who receive support under the Public Law Outline framework. The role includes working alongside other social work colleagues to develop and continuously improve the delivery of a high quality effective social work service that is informed by Signs of Safety practice models and that delivers good outcomes for children, young people and their families.

The team structures are designed to ensure there is the right level of support available to staff. You will also deputise and support the Head of Service where necessary.

Our offer

• We offer an excellent recruitment package, manageable workloads, and opportunities to access a range of professional development and support including -
• An annual market allowance of £10,000 per annum (payable in monthly payments).
• A £3,000 per annum on call payment (payable in monthly payments).
• A retention payment of £3,000. This is a fixed sum payable in April each year, following one years’ service in Medway.
• Hybrid working - enabling you to work from home/office (a minimum of 2 days per week will be required in the office).
• Relocation package of up to £8,000.

The right candidate

• Will hold a degree in Social Work - CQSW, DipSW or equivalent and be registered with Social Work England.
• Will hold a management qualification and/or willing to work towards.
• Will have a proven track record in strategic planning and leadership.
• Will have substantial experience of working within a children and families statutory setting.
• Will have proven experience in budget management.
• Will hold a full driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.

To Apply

If you are looking for a new challenge, then we would love to hear from you. To apply please click on the ‘Apply Online’ button at the top of this advert.

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.
• This post is subject to an enhanced Children’s DBS check.
• For more information on our roles within Children’s Services please visit https://www.medway.gov.uk/childrenservicesjobs
• Interviews for this role will be held on 13th October 2025.

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.

Important Information

Please note that all recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in hard copy format, please contact the Children's Services Recruitment Team on 01634 332211 or email cscrecruitment@medway.gov.uk

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.