Sutton Council
£32.71 PAYE per hour (exclusive of holiday pay)
£45.20 LTD per hour (inclusive of holiday pay)
About the RoleSutton Council is seeking an experienced and dynamic Service Manager to lead within its Children’s Services Locality Team. This is a key leadership role focused on ensuring statutory responsibilities are met while driving continuous improvement and delivering high-quality, child-centred services.
You will play a pivotal role in ensuring safeguarding is prioritised and that children, young people, and families remain at the heart of practice.
Key Responsibilities
Provide strong leadership and expert guidance to a multidisciplinary team, ensuring safe, effective, and compliant service delivery
Lead on service improvements to achieve the best possible outcomes for vulnerable children and families
Apply professional judgement to interpret and implement policies in line with local and service needs
Oversee day-to-day operations, including staff supervision and performance management
Ensure all statutory duties are fulfilled and safeguarding standards are upheld
Manage complex or large service areas with responsibility for multiple delivery functions
Deputise for the Head of Service (HoS) and participate in the on-call duty rota
Operational & Strategic Duties
Drive continuous improvement and innovation across the service
Lead projects and implement change initiatives within agreed cost, time, and quality parameters
Monitor and evaluate service delivery using data to inform decision-making and future planning
Ensure all cases and workflows are managed in line with statutory and departmental requirements
Maintain oversight of service quality, ensuring timely, legally compliant practice
Budget & Resource Management
Manage service budgets under the direction of the Head of Service
Ensure effective allocation and use of resources to deliver value for money
Support operational efficiency while maintaining high-quality standards
Risk & Performance Management
Identify and manage risks, significant incidents, and emerging trends
Analyse performance data to understand demand and improve service delivery
Develop and implement robust improvement plans where required
Ideal Candidate
Proven experience in a senior leadership role within Children’s Services
Strong knowledge of statutory frameworks, safeguarding, and early help interventions
Experience managing complex teams and service delivery areas
Excellent leadership, decision-making, and communication skills
Ability to drive performance, manage risk, and deliver measurable outcomes
Why Apply?
Competitive hourly rates
Opportunity to lead impactful services supporting vulnerable children and families
Work within a forward-thinking and improvement-focused local authority
Influence service delivery at a strategic level
📩 Apply now to take the next step in your leadership career and make a real difference in Children’s Services.
Email your CV to (url removed) or call (phone number removed)
Salary description
£45.20 - £45.20 per hour