Service Manager for Care Leavers and UASC

NHS; Town of Oxford; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional social services provider in Canada is seeking a Service Manager for Care Leavers and UASC. The role involves leading operational services, ensuring high-quality support for vulnerable young people, and driving service improvement in a trauma-informed environment. Candidates should have a recognised social work qualification, a strong understanding of challenges faced by Care Leavers, and demonstrated leadership abilities. This position also offers substantial relocation support and flexible working opportunities.

Benefits

Relocation expenses up to £8,000

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Local government contributory pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading outcome-focused services.
• Full driving license and flexibility to work countywide.

Responsibilities

• Operational leadership of Care Leavers & UASC services.
• Ensure high-quality support and timely responses to safeguarding needs.
• Work collaboratively with partners to identify early risk.

Skills

Understanding challenges faced by Care Leavers and UASC

Leadership in trauma-informed environment

Advocacy for young people’s voices

Driving service improvement

Education

Recognised social work qualification

Job description

Service Manager for Care Leavers and UASC

About us: Oxfordshire Children Services is a family safeguarding authority dedicated to strength‑based work with children and families, underpinned by motivational interviewing, trauma‑informed and restorative practice. We received a good judgement in our last ILACS Ofsted inspection.

Main duties of the job

We have implemented the Family Safeguarding Model across children’s services and are now shaping our response to social care reform and the Family First Government initiative in a way that strengthens better outcomes for Care Leavers and Unaccompanied Asylum‑Seeking Children (UASC). Our ambition is to develop a service that is responsive, relational, and grounded in trauma‑informed and restorative practice, ensuring young people are supported into adulthood with stability, safety and opportunity.

Job responsibilities

• Overall responsibility for the operational leadership of Care Leavers & UASC services, ensuring legislation, statutory guidance and the Oxfordshire Partnerships approach are applied consistently.
• Leadership of day‑to‑day operations, overseeing pathway planning, accommodation and independence support, emotional wellbeing and mental health responses, and duties to young people with immigration‑related needs.
• Ensure high‑quality support that promotes independence, safeguards young people at risk and provides timely and effective responses to urgent safeguarding needs.
• Work collaboratively with partners to identify early risk, intervene proportionately and build pathways that reduce long‑term dependency on statutory services.
• As a member of the Children’s Services Management Team, play an active role in the operational and strategic development of the wider service, ensuring inspection readiness and providing leadership across key improvement areas.
• Deputise for Assistant Directors when required and promote a culture of shared learning and improvement across the service.

About you

• Strong understanding of the challenges faced by Care Leavers and UASC and ability to lead a team in a trauma‑informed, relational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to champion high‑quality practice, advocate for young people’s voices and drive service improvement.
• Representative of Oxfordshire County Council’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Key qualifications

• Recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Proven track record in leading outcome‑focused services.
• Full driving licence and flexibility to work countywide.

Benefits

• Relocation expenses of up to £8,000.
• A good to outstanding Ofsted rating and regular training opportunities.
• Flexible, agile organisation with 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Culture of flexible working, technology support and 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Local government contributory pension scheme with employer contribution up to 19.9% and enhanced family‑friendly policies.
• Local and national shopping and travel discounts, plus opportunities for additional holiday.
• Great learning and development opportunities to support ongoing professional growth.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave.

Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers, apprentices, and those transitioning from the Armed Forces.

Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. All recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, including flexi‑time, part‑time working, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours where appropriate.

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Contact

If you encounter any issues with your application or would like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Judith Bennett, Assistant Director for Corporate Parenting Services: [e-mail]

Person Specification

General requirements: please refer to the job description above.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any previous convictions.