This is a leadership opportunity at the forefront of safeguarding reform.
If you're an experienced safeguarding leader looking for your next challenge and want to play a pivotal role in transforming child protection services, we have a great opportunity for two new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT) Service Managers to join us, one based in East Surrey and one in West Surrey.
Our Offer to You
26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service plus bank holidays
Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
A generous local government salary related pension
Up to 5 days of carer's leave and 2 paid volunteering days per year
Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
Wellbeing and lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, and shopping
A chance to make a real difference to the lives of our residentsThe Surrey Context
The national Families First Partnership Programme (FFPP) represents one of the most significant changes to children's services in recent years, placing earlier intervention, stronger partnerships and better outcomes for children and families at the heart of practice.
At Surrey County Council, we're establishing our new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT), a pioneering service bringing together expertise from social care, health, police and education to strengthen safeguarding decision-making and improve responses for children at risk of significant harm.
We're looking for an exceptional leader to become our Service Manager for MACPT, providing both strategic and operational leadership to this innovative service at a pivotal stage in its development. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new multi-agency model, influence safeguarding practice across the system and lead highly skilled professionals in delivering consistently strong outcomes for children and families.
About the Role
As Service Manager, you will lead a multidisciplinary service responsible for some of the most critical statutory safeguarding functions across Surrey, including strategy discussions, Section 47 enquiries and child protection threshold decision-making.
This is a highly visible leadership role operating at the point of greatest risk within the system. You'll provide clear professional leadership, ensuring decisions are timely, evidence-based and informed by high-quality multi-agency analysis. At the same time, you'll champion a culture that is relational, reflective and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children and families.
Leading a team of Team Managers and specialist practitioners, you'll create the conditions for excellent practice to flourish through effective supervision, performance oversight, professional development and strong multi-agency collaboration.
Working closely with colleagues across Children's Services and safeguarding partners, you'll play a key role in embedding the Families First Partnership Programme model across Surrey.
As you lead the service through a period of significant transformation, you'll bring together professionals working within new roles and structures, fostering a shared culture, clear sense of purpose and strong team identity. You'll oversee the development of systems, processes and reporting frameworks, providing regular assurance to senior leaders on progress, performance, risks and emerging opportunities.
In all that you do, you will help ensure children and families receive the right service at the right time, with clear pathways, consistent thresholds and effective transitions between services.
This role offers the opportunity to:
Lead and shape Surrey's new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team
Drive excellence in statutory safeguarding practice and decision-making
Influence system-wide approaches to child protection and risk management
Strengthen partnerships across social care, police, health and education
Lead service performance, quality assurance and continuous improvement
Develop and inspire managers and practitioners across a complex multidisciplinary environment
Contribute to the successful implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme across SurreyYour Application
We're seeking a confident and credible safeguarding leader with substantial experience of working within statutory children's services and a strong understanding of child protection practice.
You'll be able to demonstrate your ability and experience to lead through change, build effective partnerships and create a culture where high-quality practice and professional curiosity thrive.
In order to be considered for shortlisting, your application will clearly evidence the following skills and align with our behaviours:
A recognised Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England and significant post-qualification experience within statutory child protection and assessment services
Proven leadership experience within children's social care, including leading managers and complex safeguarding services
Experience of leading transformation, driving continuous improvement, quality assurance and performance management
Strong professional judgement and the ability to make sound decisions in complex situations
Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage, challenge and inspire a wide range of stakeholders
A commitment to relational practice, partnership working and continuous improvementAn enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role.
Surrey has both urban and rural areas and candidates will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.
Most importantly, you'll be an authentic leader who can bring people together around a shared vision, provide clarity in complex situations and help shape the future of safeguarding services in Surrey.
By joining us, you'll have the chance to influence strategic direction, work alongside committed multi-agency partners and make a lasting difference to the lives of children and families. You'll be supported by an ambitious leadership team that is passionate about innovation, collaboration and delivering excellent outcomes.
The job advert closes at 23:59 on Wednesday 23rd September 2026, with interviews to follow.
We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)
Surrey County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation, moving from a two-tier system to two new unitary councils in April 2027. If you are employed by Surrey on 1st April 2027, your role will transfer with current terms and conditions to one of the new organisations, supporting local devolution and greater powers for our communities.
Our Commitment
We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum shortlisting criteria as displayed on the advert, we guarantee you an interview.
Your skills and experience truly matter to us. From application to your first day, we're committed to supporting you with any adjustments you need, we value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs
Salary description
£73317.00 - £80576.00 per year