Strategic Service Manager – Children's Statutory Services

Suffolk County Council; England; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Induction & supervision

Professional development

Peer support & collaboration

Shape statutory practice

Job summary

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Service Manager for Children’s Independent Statutory Services. You will provide strategic leadership across independent statutory functions for children in care and child protection, ensuring oversight, scrutiny and continuous improvement.

You will lead a skilled team, collaborate with Police, Health and Education, and drive quality assurance and service development across the county. A recognised social work qualification and full registration are required.

Qualifications

• a recognised social work qualification, Social Work England registration and significant management experience within children’s services.
• proven ability to provide strategic and operational leadership across complex statutory services.
• extensive knowledge of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, safeguarding practice and emerging research.
• confidence in delivering independent scrutiny, constructive challenge and professional advice in complex situations.
• excellent analytical, report-writing and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders.
• experience of leading, supporting and developing highly skilled practitioners in children in care and child protection services.

Responsibilities

• lead the delivery and ongoing development of Children’s Independent Statutory Services, ensuring effective oversight, scrutiny and review of services for children and young people.
• provide robust independent challenge and professional scrutiny to promote high-quality practice and positive outcomes.
• champion Suffolk’s Signs of Safety and Wellbeing practice framework, embedding its principles across statutory services.
• work collaboratively with operational leaders and partner agencies to strengthen safeguarding arrangements and multi‑agency partnerships.
• drive quality assurance, performance management and service improvement activity, using evidence, learning and feedback to enhance practice.
• contribute to the wider leadership of Children and Young People's Services as part of a committed management team.

Skills

Social work

Leadership

Independent scrutiny

Stakeholder collaboration

Analysis & reporting

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Suffolk County Council is seeking a Service Manager for Children’s Independent Statutory Services. You will provide strategic leadership across independent statutory functions for children in care and child protection, ensuring oversight, scrutiny and continuous improvement.

You will lead a skilled team, collaborate with Police, Health and Education, and drive quality assurance and service development across the county. A recognised social work qualification and full registration are required.