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Barnardo's; Dalkeith; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnardo's is seeking a Children’s Services Manager to lead a portfolio of commissioned services across Bradford, focusing on early intervention, emotional wellbeing and family support. You will provide strategic leadership across multiple teams, ensure safeguarding standards and manage budgets and performance.

The role requires extensive experience in children’s services, strong leadership, and the ability to collaborate with commissioners and partner agencies to improve outcomes for children

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading and managing children’s services.
• Strong safeguarding and child protection knowledge.
• Experience reporting to commissioners and stakeholders.
• Ability to monitor performance and produce management reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide effective leadership and management across multiple services.
• Lead, support and develop staff teams to deliver high-quality services and achieve positive outcomes.
• Ensure all safeguarding responsibilities are met and embedded throughout service delivery.
• Manage performance, quality assurance and service improvement activities.
• Oversee budgets and financial performance, ensuring effective use of resources.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, partners and key stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic vision

Safeguarding

Budget management

Stakeholder relationships

Data analysis

Job description

Children Services Manager

Company: Barnardo's Salary: £43,714 to £51,462 a year Hours: Full-time Location: BD7 1HR Working pattern: On-site Job type: Permanent Posting date: 7 Oct 2026 Closing date: 6 Nov 2026

We are looking for a Children's Services Manager with excellent leadership skills, strategic vision and a passion for improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

Barnardo's is seeking an experienced and motivated Children's Service Manager to lead a portfolio of commissioned services across Bradford. This is an exciting opportunity to manage established, evidence-based services that support children, young people, families and women through early intervention, emotional wellbeing and family support programmes.

About the Role

As Children's Service Manager, you will:

Provide effective leadership and management across multiple services.

Lead, support and develop staff teams to deliver high-quality services and achieve positive outcomes.

Ensure all safeguarding responsibilities are met and embedded throughout service delivery.

Manage performance, quality assurance and service improvement activities.

Oversee budgets and financial performance, ensuring effective use of resources.

Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, partners and key stakeholders.

About You

We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate:

Significant experience working with children, young people and families.

Experience leading and managing services and staff teams.

Strong knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and child protection.

Experience working collaboratively with commissioners, partner agencies and stakeholders.

The ability to monitor performance, analyse data and produce high-quality management reports.

Experience of budget management and financial oversight.

Excellent communication, leadership and organisational skills.

Why Barnardo's?

At Barnardo's, we believe in:

Respecting the unique worth of every person.

Encouraging people to fulfil their potential.

Working with hope.

Exercising responsible stewardship.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities.

For more information about the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required, please refer to the Person Specification and Additional Information Sheet.

Interested in joining us and making a lasting difference? Visit the Barnardo's Careers Site to find out more and submit your application.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible

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