Child Protection Service Manager

Civic Recruitment Limited; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced DBS

Job summary

Civic Recruitment Limited seeks a skilled leader to oversee Children’s Services on a 6-month contract in Plymouth. The role focuses on safeguarding, performance management and collaborative leadership across referral, assessment, social work and permanency teams.

You will ensure statutory compliance, high-quality practice and service improvement, guiding managers and frontline staff to achieve strong outcomes for children and families.

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work or related field.
• Social Work England registration (desirable/required depending on role level).
• Leadership or management qualification (desirable).

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage key areas of Children’s Services, including referral and assessment, social work, and permanency (including fostering).
• Provide leadership and support to team managers and frontline staff.
• Ensure services are delivered in line with statutory requirements and safeguarding legislation.
• Maintain high standards of practice to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Oversee service performance, ensuring targets and KPIs are achieved.
• Monitor and improve service quality through audits, inspections, and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure effective quality assurance frameworks are in place across the service.
• Address performance issues promptly and implement improvement plans.
• Significant experience in statutory Children’s Services, particularly in child protection.
• Proven experience in a leadership or management role within social care.
• Strong experience managing service performance, quality, and improvement.
• Experience working with safeguarding frameworks and legislation.

Skills

Leadership

Performance management

Service improvement

Safeguarding frameworks

Education

Degree in Social Work

Social Work England registration

Leadership qualification

Job description

Plymouth, United Kingdom | Posted on 01/06/2026

At Civic Recruitment and Limited, we know that individuals are more than just fixed expenses; they are the cornerstone of every thriving organisation.  That’s why we are passionate about transforming recruitment in the public and private sectors.

In the modern job market, organisations in both public and private sectors face significant workforce challenges. Public sector entities, such as local councils and central government departments, often struggle with lengthy recruitment processes, limited access to qualified candidates, and stringent budgetary and regulatory constraints. Private sector businesses, on the other hand, encounter high turnover rates, difficulties managing a mix of permanent and temporary staff, and challenges in sourcing specialised talent for niche industries. These sector-specific obstacles, coupled with the universal complexities of payroll management, create a pressing need for efficient workforce solutions.

Civic Recruitment Limited addresses these challenges with innovative recruitment and payroll solutions tailored for diverse organisational needs. Recognising the critical hurdles organisations face, the company leverages its expertise to streamline processes, reduce recruitment times, and alleviate administrative burdens. With an extensive database of over 1 million pre-screened candidates, Civic Recruitment Limited is well-positioned to cater to the specific needs of both public and private sectors.

Job Description

6-month contract with a local authority

Summary

• This is a 6-month contract with a local authority, focused on providing strategic leadership and operational management within Child Protection Services. The role is crucial for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, safe, and effective services for children, young people, and families. It emphasises improving outcomes through strong performance management, safeguarding compliance, and collaborative efforts across key service areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage key areas of Children’s Services, including referral and assessment, social work, and permanency (including fostering).
• Provide leadership and support to team managers and frontline staff.
• Ensure services are delivered in line with statutory requirements and safeguarding legislation.
• Maintain high standards of practice to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Oversee service performance, ensuring targets and KPIs are achieved.
• Monitor and improve service quality through audits, inspections, and continuous improvement activities.
• Ensure effective quality assurance frameworks are in place across the service.
• Address performance issues promptly and implement improvement plans.
• Significant experience in statutory Children’s Services, particularly in child protection.
• Proven experience in a leadership or management role within social care.
• Strong experience managing service performance, quality, and improvement.
• Experience working with safeguarding frameworks and legislation.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree qualification in Social Work or related field.
• Social Work England registration (desirable/required depending on role level).
• Management or leadership qualification (desirable).

Additional Information

• Working hours: 37 hours per week.
• Location: Ballard House, West Hoe Road, West Hoe, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3BJ, United Kingdom.
• Work pattern: 3 days a week on-site, 2 days remote.
• Enhanced DBS required.
• The role closes on 4th June 2026.