📍 South West England (Hybrid – 3 days on-site)
💰 PAYE: £356.46 per day /Umbrella: £471.15 per day
📅 12-week contract (with potential extension)
⏱ Full-time – 37 hours per week
A local authority in the South West is seeking an experienced Service Manager to lead their Targeted Help Service within Children’s Services.
This is a key interim leadership opportunity at a time of service development and transformation, with a strong focus on delivering early intervention and preventing escalation into statutory services.
The Role
As Service Manager, you will provide both strategic and operational leadership across Targeted Help, overseeing the quality and consistency of practice, decision-making, and outcomes for children and families.
You will lead a service comprising team managers, social workers, and family help practitioners, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, strengths-based interventions to children in need and their families.
You will also play a key role in:
* Driving performance and quality assurance
* Embedding practice improvement and workforce development
* Strengthening multi-agency partnerships
* Supporting service alignment with national reforms
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage Targeted Help services, ensuring effective early intervention
* Provide oversight and support to Team Managers and practitioners
* Ensure compliance with relevant legislation and statutory guidance
* Drive continuous improvement through performance management and QA
* Promote a culture of reflective, strengths-based practice
* Work collaboratively with safeguarding and child protection services
* Contribute to senior management cover and on-call arrangements
About You
We are looking for a confident and experienced leader who:
* Is a qualified Social Worker with current registration
* Has substantial leadership experience within Children’s Services
* Brings strong knowledge of Targeted Help / Early Help / Assessment services
* Has a proven track record in performance improvement and service delivery
* Is comfortable leading through change and transformation
* Demonstrates excellent partnership working and communication skills
Why Apply?
* Opportunity to lead a critical front-line service
* Be part of a forward-thinking authority undergoing positive change
* Competitive day rate
* Hybrid working model
Salary description
£356.00 - £471.00 per day