JE Ref No: CSM Gen 2026
Job Title: Children’s Services Manager (CSM)
Grade: B
Job Purpose
All relevant specialist Functions: Finance, Policy & Research, People, Premises & Facilities, CAUI, IS, etc., Volunteering Support arrangements for Locality, Business Support & MI arrangements for Locality, Business Development Unit (BDU), Safeguarding leads and related roles, Business Line colleagues as necessary Local Commissioning bodies and other key funding stakeholders, multi‑agencies and partners in practice, specialist groups/forums relevant to Service delivery.
To make a real difference in the lives of Children, Young People and Families by:
* Leading and managing a Service(s) to ensure a positive impact on children, young people and families through the effective and efficient delivery of Children’s Service activities and practices.
* To influence and challenge actual and potential Commissioners, partners in practice, and other stakeholders, in order to maintain and develop Barnardo’s reputation as an advocate for Children, Young People and Families.
Key Responsibilities
* Leads and manages all staff and workers in order to build and maintain a capable and motivated team.
* Completes all required people management procedures and routines for all staff in compliance to Barnardo’s Policies and procedures throughout the employee lifecycle.
* Undertakes specific duties, services and activities where stipulated in the Service Contract or otherwise defined and agreed with the Commissioner(s).
* Proactively leads and manages Contract provision, working closely with internal and external stakeholders as necessary, to ensure that progress on delivery and specified targets is monitored and reported regularly, and that any issues are addressed and resolved to the satisfaction of stakeholders.
* Collaborates with the Assistant Director of Children’s Services for the Locality to maintain and develop relationships with local commissioning bodies, and key stakeholders, in order to increase the Service’s reach and scope and to influence best practice in the field.
* Handles all and any representation or Complaints, from any source, in a fully compliant and professional manner to ensure that concerns are addressed, resolved and documented in line with relevant Children’s Services Policies.
* Leading and influencing on Safeguarding to ensure an active engagement is maintained in the interests of the child at all levels in the Service and that all issues are dealt with comprehensively and compliantly to Barnardo’s policy and procedures; involving all relevant external agencies and authorities as necessary.
* Contributes as required to external meetings to review Contract outcomes in order to demonstrate, and promote, Barnardo’s reputation as a provider of Children’s Services.
* To proactively develop and maintain influential working relationships with key stakeholders such as commissioning teams and other agencies in order to be a respected advocate on Children’s issues and to enhance Barnardo’s reputation in the Locality.
Key Activities
Quality of Practice
* Ensures regular supervision of practitioners, either directly and/or through direct reports assess the quality of practice and the impact made on children, young people and/or families.
* When appropriate, undertakes observation of practice to identify opportunities for learning to enhance the practice of others and improve outcomes for children and young people.
Business Development
* Works with the business development unit to provide input, expertise and knowledge to winning work and maintaining existing contracts.
* Work closely with the Assistant Director of Children’s Services and the Business Development Unit:
o For tendering/ grant applications
o To champion new and innovative ideas which improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
People and Learning
* Acts as a role model to staff, setting a clear agenda for the service, contributing a sense of common purpose amongst all Children’s Services staff.
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