Service Manager - MASH

Sheldon Phillips Ltd; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency seeks an experienced Service Manager to lead the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub in a local authority. This critical role involves overseeing safeguarding decisions, managing a multi-disciplinary team, and ensuring effective collaboration. Candidates must hold a social work qualification and demonstrate significant experience in Children’s Services. The position offers a competitive pay rate of £400 per day along with a high-impact environment for ambitious leaders.

Qualifications

• Social Work qualification (Degree or equivalent) is essential.
• Significant post-qualified experience within Children’s Services is required.
• Proven experience at Service Manager or equivalent senior management level is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership and management of the MASH service.
• Oversee the screening and triaging of contacts and referrals.
• Ensure timely safeguarding decisions and lead performance management.

Skills

Leadership

Decision-making

Multi-agency collaboration

Safeguarding

Education

Social Work qualification (Degree or equivalent)

Job description

Position : Service Manager

Team : MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub)

Contract : Locum

Pay Rate : £400 per day (Umbrella)

Location : Nottingham City Council

Sheldon Phillips are working in partnership with Nottingham City Council to recruit an experienced Service Manager to lead their Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH). This is a critical leadership role within Children’s Services, responsible for ensuring effective front-door decision‑making, robust safeguarding responses, and strong multi‑agency collaboration.

The MASH plays a pivotal role in screening and responding to contacts and referrals, applying clear thresholds, and ensuring children and families receive the right intervention at the right time. The successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership to a multi-disciplinary team, maintaining high standards of practice and performance.

What You Can Expect

• A senior leadership role at the front door of Children’s Services
• Opportunity to shape safeguarding practice and decision‑making
• Close partnership working with police, health, education, and early help services
• Supportive senior management structure
• A fast‑paced, high‑impact working environment

Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing overall leadership and management of the MASH service
• Overseeing the screening and triaging of contacts and referrals
• Ensuring timely, proportionate, and consistent safeguarding decisions
• Managing performance, quality assurance, and compliance with statutory timescales
• Leading and supporting Team Managers and practitioners within the MASH
• Embedding effective threshold guidance and risk management processes
• Chairing and contributing to strategy discussions and multi‑agency meetings
• Driving continuous service improvement and responding to audit findings
• Ensuring high‑quality recording, information sharing, and data integrity

Requirements

• Social Work qualification (Degree or equivalent)
• SWE registration
• Significant post‑qualified experience within Children’s Services
• Proven experience at Service Manager or equivalent senior management level
• Extensive knowledge of safeguarding legislation, including the Children Act 1989
• Strong understanding of MASH operations, thresholds, and multi‑agency working
• Experience of performance management, quality assurance, and service development
• Confident leadership style with the ability to manage risk and make complex decisions

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced senior leader to make a real impact at the front door of a large local authority, with a competitive day rate and the opportunity to lead a high‑profile safeguarding service