We are looking for a Service Manager to lead our newly created Child Protection and Allegations Management Service. This is a brand‑new leadership role, created as part of our response to the national reform of children’s services, offering an unique opportunity to shape and influence practice at a critical time.
Responsibilities
* Lead our brand new Child Protection Lead Practitioners to transform our child protection practice across Children’s Social Care and inspire meaningful change for the children and families we support.
* Lead the established Allegations Management Officers (LADOs) to carry out the Council’s statutory responsibilities (specified in Working Together to Safeguard Children) to ensure robust, coordinated responses to allegations against professionals working with children.
* Support the development and delivery of wider service priorities.
Qualifications
* A recognised social work qualification
* Significant experience of working in Children’s Social Care
* Substantial post‑qualifying experience in management
* Experience of performance management and quality assurance
* Experience of partnership working in the provision of services for children and their families
Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria. If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.
Safeguarding
Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought, inclusive of a check of the Children’s Barred List and the position’s regulated activity. Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation.
Benefits
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
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