Service Manager Sutton Council £32.71 PAYE per hour (exclusive of holiday pay) £45.20 LTD per hour (inclusive of holiday pay) About the Role Sutton 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 Delanie.heyes@servicecare.org.uk or call 01772 208964