Service Manager

Sheffield City Council HQ; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 73,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government office in Sheffield is seeking a dedicated Service Manager for their Children's Secure Centre. This role involves leading a team to provide a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable children. Extensive experience with high-risk youth and a strong social care background are essential. The position offers a starting salary of £63,283 per annum with opportunities for professional development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Access to leadership courses

In-house training opportunities

Generous holiday entitlement

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working with vulnerable children and young people with complex needs.
• Proven leadership abilities in social care settings.
• In-depth understanding of related legislation and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team in a state-of-the-art facility.
• Work with stakeholders to deliver outstanding care.
• Inspire staff through values-based leadership.

Skills

Experience with vulnerable children

Leadership in regulated settings

Knowledge of SCIFF Ofsted Framework

Interpersonal skills

Creative approach to service improvement

Education

Social work qualification or equivalent

Level 5 qualification in leadership and management

Job description

Service Manager Childrens Secure Centre

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

Sheffield is proud to be one of only 13 locations nationally to offer secure accommodation for children and young people in crisis. Our Secure Children's Home provides a safe, nurturing environment where some of society's most vulnerable young people can find stability, connection, and hope for the future.

As Service Manager, you will:

• Lead a dedicated team in a state-of-the‑art facility, recently expanded to provide 12 beds for children accommodated under Section 25 (Children Act 1989).
• Join the Secure Accommodation Network, collaborating with sector leaders to share best practice and shape the future of secure care.
• Champion a trauma‑informed, therapeutically driven approach, keeping children and young people at the heart of everything we do.
• Work closely with stakeholders, commissioners, and partner agencies to deliver outstanding care and support.
• Inspire staff through values‑based leadership, fostering a culture of mutual respect, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the onsite Education and Health provision.

What We're Looking For

• Extensive experience working with vulnerable children and young people with complex needs and high risks.
• Proven leadership in regulated settings, with a strong social care background.
• In‑depth knowledge of the SCIFF Ofsted Framework, relevant legislation, and inspection regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships across teams and agencies.
• Ideally, a social work qualification or equivalent experience, and a Level 5 qualification in leadership and management.
• A creative, motivated approach to service expansion and improvement.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a supportive, forward‑thinking leadership team committed to your personal and professional development.
• Access to leadership and management courses and ongoing in‑house training.
• A positive, permission‑based culture where your ideas and initiative are valued.
• A warm, welcoming home environment where children and staff thrive together.
• Our latest Ofsted inspection rated us 'GOOD' in all areas, and we are striving for 'Outstanding'.
• A starting salary of £63,283 per annum

Make a Difference

If you are ready to lead with passion, integrity, and vision, and want to help shape brighter futures for young people, we would love to hear from you.

Interviews will be held in Sheffield on 19th December 2025

For further information, please contact:

[e-mail]

We are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under‑represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.

It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.

Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.

Full‑time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.

If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade.

Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Find out more on our New job evaluation process to be introduced at Sheffield City Council | Sheffield City Council