Senior Service Lead, Cared For Children & Permanence

Rochdale Borough Council; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary up to £1,000 extra annually

Green fleet car scheme

Hybrid and flexible working

Staff recognition awards

Mileage payment and town centreparking

Up to 34 days annual leave

Paid for Social Work England fees

Staff discount at retail and leisure

Job summary

Rochdale Borough Council is seeking a Service Manager for Cared For Children within Children’s Social Care. You will lead strategic development and delivery to safeguard and promote outcomes for children, young people, and families in Rochdale.

You will provide executive leadership across care services, focusing on permanence planning, placement stability, and transitions to adulthood, while championing the voice of care-experienced young people and partners.

Qualifications

• You will be a qualified social worker registered with Social Work England.
• Strong track record in senior leadership and management.
• In-depth knowledge of childcare legislation, national strategies, and emerging policy developments.

Responsibilities

• System Leadership: Drive strategic alignment with national policy and local priorities, ensuring services reflect the Council’s vision.
• Permanence and Corporate Parenting Leadership: Provide strategic leadership for permanence planning and Corporate Parenting responsibilities, ensuring stable relationships and high-quality care planning.
• Quality of Practice: Embed trauma-informed and relational practice across services, fostering high performance and innovation.
• Communication & Engagement: Provide visible leadership that inspires teams and promotes continuous improvement.
• Managing Resources: Build a capable, resilient workforce through ethical leadership and professional development.
• Quality Assurance & Performance Management: Contribute to strategic planning and delivery of key service plans, including the Children’s Services Plan.
• Organisational Development: Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion with timely Equality Impact Assessments.

Skills

Senior leadership

Strategic planning

Social work expertise

Job description

Rochdale Borough Council is seeking a Service Manager for Cared For Children within Children’s Social Care. You will lead strategic development and delivery to safeguard and promote outcomes for children, young people, and families in Rochdale.

You will provide executive leadership across care services, focusing on permanence planning, placement stability, and transitions to adulthood, while championing the voice of care-experienced young people and partners.