Service Manager – Corporate Parenting & Care Experienced Service

Interim contract to start ASAP
South West
Up to £500 per day
Inside IR35 (via umbrella)
Predominantly on‑site (minimum 3 days per week), occasional WFH by agreement
Assignment scheduled to conclude mid‑April 2026

CVs are being reviewed immediately and interviews will take place shortly.

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About the Role

Reporting into the Assistant Director with the Corporate Parenting lead, you will work alongside three locality‑based Service Managers to support a key improvement journey across Corporate Parenting and Care Experienced Services. This is a highly visible and operationally focused role requiring consistent on‑site presence within DCC offices for the majority of the assignment, offering a rare opportunity to influence both strategic priorities and frontline practice.

The Service Manager will play a central part in strengthening operational delivery, improving practice standards, and championing the organisation’s responsibilities as a corporate parent. The postholder will act as a vital link between strategic direction and day‑to‑day service delivery, contributing to the Corporate Parenting Strategic Board and wider partnership arrangements.

You will hold direct line‑management responsibility for four ETE Practitioners and the Housing Pathway Coordinator, ensuring effective support, supervision and performance oversight. Strong internal and external relationships will be essential in driving multi‑agency collaboration, particularly across Corporate Parenting Subgroups and key stakeholder forums.

Due to the nature of the role and the need to remain connected and visible within the service, candidates must be able to commit to a minimum presence of three days per week on site.

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Your Role as Service Manager

• Support the delivery of improvement work across Corporate Parenting and Care Experienced Services.
• Strengthen operational practice and ensure consistency in standards aligned to statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with the Assistant Director and contribute to the Corporate Parenting Strategic Board.
• Provide leadership, oversight and support to ETE Practitioners and the Housing Pathway Coordinator.
• Participate in and help lead Corporate Parenting Subgroups, ensuring strategic priorities translate into operational practice.
• Build and maintain excellent internal and external relationships to support multi‑agency working.
• Promote the principles and responsibilities of corporate parenting across teams and partner services.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, guidance and regulatory frameworks for children in care and care experienced young people.
• Drive performance improvement, service development and quality assurance activity.
• Maintain visibility within the teams, fostering a strong presence and effective communication channels.

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Your Previous Experience as a Service Manager

• Strong operational experience within children’s social care, particularly Corporate Parenting and/or Care Experienced Services.
• In‑depth knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance and regulatory requirements for children in care and care leavers.
• Proven ability to lead, manage and develop staff teams, ensuring high‑quality supervision and performance oversight.
• Demonstrable experience driving service improvement and implementing changes in practice.
• Strong multi‑agency partnership experience, including working across strategic boards, subgroups and external organisations.
• Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical, operational improvements.
• Previous experience within a local authority setting is essential.
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship‑building skills.

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If you’re interested in discussing this opportunity in more detail or know someone who may be suitable, please contact Sarah Macrae on 0117 313 7110 or apply today.

(We offer a senior referral scheme upon successful placement of your recommendation, so please do get in touch.)

Our clients are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and welcome applications from all backgrounds. All recruitment decisions are based on skills and experience. Any reasonable workplace adjustments will be fully supported throughout the application and hiring process.