Service Manager - Inclusion

Ackerman Pierce Ltd; Knowsley; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

A recruitment firm specializing in social work is seeking a motivated Service Manager for Inclusion to lead SEND services. As a Service Manager, you will oversee important services that support children with special needs and disabilities. This role requires strong leadership, communication, and budgeting skills, with significant experience in SEND or related fields. The position supports hybrid working, making it ideal for those wishing to balance office and remote work.

Benefits

Guaranteed weekly payment

Personal consultant support

Quick registration process

Qualifications

• Significant experience in SEND, Inclusion, Education, Health or Social Care.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to influence others.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing demands.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage staff, budgets and resources across Inclusion services.
• Monitor performance to ensure services meet required standards.
• Foster strong working relationships with schools and agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Budget management

Partnership building

Education

Recognised professional qualification in Social Care, Education or related field

Management training or qualifications

Job description

Job Title: Service Manager - Inclusion

Contract: 3 months, covering long-term sickness

Location: Liverpool, hybrid working

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Service Manager for Inclusion to lead key services that support children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is an exciting opportunity to shape and improve services that make a real difference to families.

About the role

As the Service Manager, you will oversee:

• SEND Team
• Travel and Transport Support
• Access & Inclusion Services

You will provide strong leadership to team managers, support the development of high‑quality services, and ensure statutory responsibilities under the SEND Code of Practice are met. You will also work closely with senior leaders across education, health and social care to drive improvement and contribute to strategic planning for SEND provision.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and manage staff, budgets and physical resources across Inclusion services.
• Monitor and improve performance, ensuring services are efficient, effective, and meet required standards.
• Support future planning for SEND provision and pupil place arrangements.
• Foster strong working relationships with partners, including schools and other agencies.
• Ensure services comply with legislation and inspection frameworks (including OFSTED and CQC).
• Drive service development using a plan‑do‑review approach.
• Contribute to strategic decision‑making and deputise for senior leaders when required.
• Promote positive health and safety, safeguarding, equality and diversity practices.

About you

• Significant experience in SEND, Inclusion, Education, Health or Social Care.
• Strong leadership and people‑management skills.
• Experience managing budgets and resources.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and build strong partnerships.
• Strategic thinking and problem‑solving abilities.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and high‑quality service delivery.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, national SEND priorities and inspection frameworks.
• The ability to work under pressure, manage competing demands and deliver to deadlines.

Qualifications

• A recognised professional qualification in Social Care, Education or a related field (or equivalent).
• Further management training or qualifications are desirable.

Why Choose Ackerman Pierce?

Ackerman Pierce calls upon over 15 years' worth of experience in recruiting directly into the Social Work Sector. We can offer a unique experience within recruitment where you have your own personal consultant, a DBS and Compliance service with a quick and easy registration process. We pride ourselves on a guaranteed weekly payment process.

To discuss this vacancy further or any other opportunities, please contact Elise Revett or email in your updated CV to us at Ackerman Pierce.