Service Manager - Permanence Service

Job introduction

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

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Job title: Service Manager - Permanence Service

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet by 2025 and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

Our Practice Model – “Our City, Our Children, Together” – was chosen by colleagues, parents and carers, children, and young people to reflect our collective commitment to working collaboratively, it is more than just a practice model, it is a shared vision. Every part of this model has been co-produced with the people who access and deliver our services. It represents our values, our relationships, and our belief that, by working together, we can create the best outcomes for children, young people, and their networks. This is a model we can be proud of and one that truly belongs to all of us.

The role:

Are you a dynamic leader with a passion for driving excellence in children's social care?

• As Service Manager for our Permanence Service, you will be an experienced social work manager within Children and Young People’s Services, with a proven track record in managing frontline children’s social care teams, with current SWE registration
• The post holder will know how to obtain and maintain high level performance in a statutory service. This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead high-performing teams, embed a culture of continuous improvement whilst ensuring the highest standards of safeguarding and care for children, young people and families/carers
• As a Service Manager, you will be knowledgeable in all children’s legislation, legal processes and best practice, particularly in relation to children in care and children looked after, promoting safe and stable placements and positive long-term change
• You will be an inspirational, driven and inclusive manager, with exceptional people and communication skills, proving clear leadership and direction across the service
• If you are committed to delivering outstanding consistent outcomes for children, young people and their families and bring strategic insight and operational expertise, then we want to hear from you!

Please note: this position may be based city wide. The base location will be discussed at the interview stage. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and up to date registration with Social Work England as a qualified Social Worker.

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme
• Medicash

Next steps:
Closing date: midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025
Shortlisting date: Monday 11 August 2025
Interview date: Monday 18 August 2025
Interview format: face-to-face

We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please complete an application as early as possible.

Please note: this vacancy is classified as a politically restricted position.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Harriet Cadman, Recruitment and Retention Lead, at harriet.cadman@liverpool.gov.uk or Alison O'Connor, Head of Service, at alison.oconnor@liverpool.gov.uk.

Watch our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you have registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications. Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.