Children's Services Manager

Barnardos; Northern Ireland; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading charitable organization in Northern Ireland is seeking a Social Work Manager to lead high-quality, child-focused services in Armagh and Newry. This role involves managing a dedicated team of practitioners, ensuring high standards of practice, and promoting the wellbeing of children and families. Candidates must hold a recognized Social Work qualification and have experience leading teams to achieve the best outcomes. The position requires regular travel across office locations, emphasizing a commitment to service delivery.

Qualifications

• Hold a professional qualification in Social Work recognised by the NISCC and be registered on part 1 of the register.
• Ability to manage safeguarding concerns and ensure effective responses.
• Demonstrate experience in leading teams in children's services.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a dedicated team of practitioners delivering services to children and families.
• Ensure high standards of practice and safeguarding.
• Collaborate with community partners.

Skills

Professional qualification in Social Work recognised by the NISCC

Ability to lead and support staff in managing safeguarding concerns

Experience of working with children and young people

Constructive collaboration with partner agencies

Experience managing budgets in children's services

Ability to set clear team and individual objectives

Hold a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle

Job description

We are seeking a Social Work Manager to join our team and lead high-quality, child-focused services in our Armagh and Newry Family Resource Centres. This is an opportunity to shape practice, support a skilled team, and ensure the best outcomes for children and families. Lead and manage a dedicated team of practitioners delivering a range of services to children, young people and families.Please see employer website for full job details & person specification.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a dedicated team of practitioners delivering a range of services to children, young people and families.
• Oversee service delivery, ensuring high standards of practice, safeguarding, and outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with community partners.
• Use your professional expertise to develop innovative approaches that reduce risk, promote children's wellbeing and ensure children's needs are met..
• Monitor impact and contribute to strategic planning and funding development.

Skills and Qualifications

• Hold a professional qualification in Social Work recognised by the NISCC, have completed the AYE and be registered with the NISCC on part 1 of the register.
• Ability to lead and support staff in managing safeguarding concerns, ensuring timely and effective responses, and escalation as required.
• Can outline their experience of working with children and young people and in leading others to best practice in the delivery of children's services.
• Can demonstrate, using an example, how they have worked constructively with partner agencies, commissioners and other stakeholders, in a way that enhances the reputation of the organisation externally.
• Demonstrable experience in managing budgets within a children's services setting, including responsibility for financial planning, forecasting, and monitoring.
• Can evidence the ability to set clear team and individual objectives, and to coach and support staff in achieving high performance through regular feedback, development planning, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Hold a valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle with business class insurance to use during working hours.

Further Information

Location: Post will be based in either Armagh and Newry with expectation of regular travel across both office locations and throughout the Southern Trust area.Those applicants with a disability that prevents them from holding a driving licence should be able to demonstrate how they can meet the mobility requirements of the post).

Area: Derry or Londonderry
Closing date: 30 Dec 2025