Service Manager - Children's Homes Service

Sanctuary Personnel; North East; On-site; GBP 57,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive training

Personal development

Rewards and benefits

Flexible working

Staying well initiatives

Relocation support

Job summary

Durham County Council seeks a Service Manager for the Children’s Homes service to provide strategic leadership to registered managers and drive high-quality residential care for children and young people.  This permanent role, based in County Durham, offers a comprehensive benefits package and a focus on safeguarding and regulatory compliance.

The successful candidate will lead service improvements, conduct audits, and work across systems to ensure homes meet standards while delivering

Qualifications

• Experience in quality assurance, service improvement and change management.
• Eligibility for registration with Ofsted as the Responsible Individual.
• Proven leadership with strategic mindset and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership to Registered Managers to deliver exceptional care.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement and regulatory excellence.
• Conduct audits and lead projects to implement lasting change.
• Collaborate across systems to enhance outcomes for children in care.
• Liaise with the Strategic Manager to ensure compliance and best practices.

Skills

Children’s residential care

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Education

Leadership and Management Level 5+ qualification

Job description

JOB-20241107-791d94d2

Job Title: Service Manager - Children's Homes Service
Specialism: Children’s Social Care / Residential Care
Location: Green Lane Offices, Spennymoor, County Durham
Salary: £56,554 - £60,680 per annum, plus £2,500 temporary recruitment/retention allowance (potential earnings up to £63,180 per annum)
Type: Permanent, Full-time – 37 hours per week

Lead with Purpose, Inspire Change and Transform Lives.

Are you an innovative leader ready to influence the future of children's residential care in Durham? We are looking for someone who not only has a strategic mindset but also the heart to make a genuine impact on the lives of children and young people. Join us as a Service Manager and be part of a service that is committed to hope, growth, and transformation. Here, you will work in an environment that values integrity, high standards, and progressive thinking.

Perks and Benefits

• Comprehensive training: Enjoy a comprehensive training programme designed to nurture and develop your managerial talents.
• Personal development: Benefit from robust personal development opportunities to support your professional advancement.
• Rewards and benefits: Access a wide-ranging rewards and benefits package to enhance your employment experience.
• Flexible working: Take advantage of flexible working arrangements designed to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Staying well initiatives: Access initiatives designed to support your health and wellbeing.
• Relocation support: Removal and lodging expenses may be available under specific conditions for those moving from afar.

What you will do

• Provide strategic leadership to Registered Managers, empowering them to deliver exceptional care.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring our services not only meet but surpass regulatory standards.
• Conduct thorough audits and lead impactful projects to implement real and lasting change.
• Work collaboratively across various systems to create a brighter future for children in care.
• Liaise closely with the Strategic Manager to ensure our Children’s Homes are compliant while exemplifying best practices in residential children’s care.

What You’ll Bring

• Profound expertise in children’s residential care and understanding of regulatory frameworks.
• A proven track record in quality assurance, service improvement, and successful change management.
• Eligibility for registration with Ofsted as the Responsible Individual.
• A Level 5 or higher qualification in Leadership and Management or equivalent.
• An ability to lead with clarity, compassion, and courage.

Join us, and you will be part of a service striving to change lives for the better. Durham County Council places a high priority on the safeguarding and welfare of children and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure for the successful candidate.

Durham is not only a wonderful place to work, with its commitment to the Durham values - Dignity, Unity, Responsibility, Heart, Aspiration, and Mindset - but also a fantastic place to live. Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Durham offers a strong sense of community and a great lifestyle. Let your next chapter begin here.