Service Manager

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD; Birkenhead; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT LTD is currently recruiting a Service Manager in Birkenhead to lead the Home Again Programme on a full-time, temporary basis. The role pays £330.35 per day and will require building a high-performing multidisciplinary team, coordinating regional delivery and ensuring alignment with safeguarding and policy standards.

You will chair governance boards, develop strategic plans, manage budgets and drive continuous improvement across the service.

Qualifications

• Experience leading regional childrens services programmes.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to chair governance boards and partnerships.
• Experience in budgeting and resource management.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Home Again Programme.
• Lead mobilisation, implementation and delivery of the regional service model.
• Develop strategic vision, objectives and operational plans.
• Ensure services align with regional and national childrens social care reform agendas.
• Develop sustainable alternatives to restrictive placements and high-cost specialist provision.
• Drive innovation and transformational change to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Provide strategic advice and assurance to senior leaders, partnership boards and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Stakeholder engagement

Governance

Job description

Service Manager needed in Birkenhead Paying £330.35 per day ref OR121583

Full time hours on a temporarybasis

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and direction for the Home Again Programme.
• Lead the mobilisation, implementation and delivery of the regional service model.
• Develop and deliver the programme's strategic vision, objectives and operational plans.
• Ensure the service aligns with regional and national children's social care reform agendas.
• Develop sustainable alternatives to restrictive placements and high-cost specialist provision.
• Drive innovation and transformational change to improve outcomes for children and young people.
• Provide strategic advice and assurance to senior leaders, partnership boards and stakeholders.

Service Development & Improvement

• Establish and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary workforce.
• Develop referral pathways, assessment frameworks and intervention models.
• Ensure services are child-centred, trauma-informed and outcome-focused.
• Embed evidence-based practice, quality improvement and learning across the programme.
• Monitor service effectiveness and continuously improve delivery models.
• Support the development of regional sufficiency arrangements and placement stability initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with Directors of Children's Services, health partners, education providers, youth justice services and commissioners.
• Promote collaborative working across organisational boundaries.
• Develop shared ownership and accountability for outcomes.
• Represent the service at local, regional and national forums.
• Chair and contribute to governance boards, steering groups and partnership meetings.
• Work closely with initiatives such as Appropriate Places of Care, CNEST and Gateway services.

Quality, Governance & Performance

• Establish robust quality assurance and performance management frameworks.
• Monitor outcomes, impact measures and programme benefits.
• Produce strategic reports and performance updates for governance boards and funding bodies.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain oversight of risk management arrangements across the programme.
• Ensure high standards of professional practice are maintained throughout the service.
• Manage programme budgets, staffing and resources effectively.
• Ensure value for money and long-term sustainability.
• Develop business cases and support future funding opportunities.
• Identify and manage financial, operational and strategic risks.
• Ensure resources are deployed effectively to meet programme objectives.

Essential Employment is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Essential Employment is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

All our roles may be subject to pre-employment checks including references so please beprepared