Service Manager Family Support and Protection

Children’s Social Care | Rochdale Borough Council
Grade: Senior Managers 2 | 37 hours per week

Lead practice. Inspire people. Make a difference for children and families.

We’re looking for an exceptional Service Manager to join our Family Support and Protection service (which will become our Family Help Service), and play a key leadership role within Rochdale Children’s Social Care.

This is an opportunity for an experienced and ambitious social work leader who wants more than simply to manage a service. We want someone who can inspire teams, champion excellent social work practice and turn ambition into better experiences and outcomes for children, young people and their families.

As a Service Manager, you’ll provide strong operational leadership across your area of responsibility, working closely with the Head of Service and colleagues across Children’s Services. You’ll lead and develop managers and their teams, maintain high standards of professional practice and make sure children and families are at the heart of how services develop and improve.

What you’ll be doing

This is a senior leadership role with real influence. You’ll:

• provide visible and effective leadership to managers and teams
• drive high-quality, consistent social work practice
• create a culture where people feel motivated, supported and appropriately challenged
• hold oversight of service performance and ensure statutory responsibilities, legislation and guidance are met
• develop and deploy the workforce effectively
• contribute to service planning, improvement and the wider strategic direction of Children’s Social Care
• work collaboratively with partners, stakeholders and colleagues across the Council
• make sure the experiences and voices of children, young people, parents and carers influence how services are developed
• manage resources and delegated budgets effectively
• contribute to the wider leadership of the directorate, deputising for the Head of Service when required.

Who we’re looking for:

We want a leader who brings energy, credibility and ambition.

You’ll understand what excellent social work practice looks like and be confident creating the conditions in which managers and practitioners can deliver it. You’ll be comfortable providing professional challenge, making decisions and maintaining a clear focus on quality and outcomes.

Just as importantly, you’ll know that great services are built through people. You’ll be able to engage and develop managers, build strong relationships with partners and bring people with you when services need to change or improve.

If you’re passionate about practice, ambitious for children and families, and ready to take the next step in your leadership career, we’d love to hear from you.

Why Rochdale?

At Rochdale, this role gives you the opportunity to make an impact not only within the service you lead but across the wider Children’s Social Care directorate. The post contributes to strategic planning and service development, works across Council and partner organisations, and provides opportunities to lead improvement projects focused on outcomes for children.

Our values are clear:

Proud of the difference we make
Passionate about the diversities of the Borough
Pioneering and open in our approach

If those values resonate with you, and you’re ready to bring your leadership, experience and ideas to Rochdale, we want to hear from you. If you would like an informal chat or further information about this role please contact JoinRochdaleCS@Rochdale.gov.uk

Be part of the next chapter for Family Support and Protection in Rochdale, it couldnt be easier to apply - just attach your CV and a supporting cover letter to show us how you would be the best candidate for this role!