Description Service Manager – Independent Safeguarding and Reviewing Services | 9180 | Permanent Contract | 37 hours per week | £56,912 to £62,618 per annum | Grade M | Norwich We are currently looking for a Service Manager for our Independent Safeguarding and Reviewing Services teams. This is a varied post; every day is different! You will be leading a team who play a pivotal role in a diverse range of young people’s lives. You will oversee a team of 10 Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs), providing direct line management and professional support. Working in close partnership with two other Heads of Service, you will contribute to the strategic oversight and development of the IRO and Independent Chair Services, ensuring high standards of practice and continuous improvement. You will provide a reflective space for IROs to consider their challenge to the operational teams around care planning for Looked After Children to avoid drift and delay, and ensuring young people's care plans are aspirational and meet the young people’s needs, based on their views. You will support Quality Assurance Activity within the Service and provide supportive challenge around performance to our operational colleagues. You will also be required to ensure that the service is fully prepared for the imminent Inspection of Local Authority Children Services by Ofsted. Hybrid working with at least 2-3 days in the office determined by the needs of the role. About you In addition to being a Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England you will have the following skills and experience: Significant and current leadership experience Experience of working in a way that ensures the meeting of team and organisational performance targets. In depth knowledge of child protection/safeguarding policies and practice, guidance and legislation for Looked after Children, all legislative frameworks relating to children and government guidance. Before you apply, we recommend reading the full Job Description and Person Specification to help you demonstrate you meet the criteria. For an informal chat about this role please contact Lorraine Owen (Head of Independent Safeguarding & Reviewing Service) at lorraine.owen@norfolk.gov.uk These are some benefits you can enjoy by working for Norfolk County Council: Competitive salary Generous holiday entitlement Health and Wellbeing services including fast-track physiotherapy and a free counselling service Flexible working opportunities including flexi-time, part time, remote and hybrid working – dependant on your job role and business need. Financial benefits such as: ‘ Norfolk Rewards’ our employee discounts programme which helps you save money on almost anything, from everyday groceries and clothes, to holidays, new technology, gym membership, trips to the cinema and days out. A Blue Light card for Fire Service and Social Care Workers Relocation expenses (where applicable) An advance of your expenses if you travel for work Local Government Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution, life assurance, death in service payments and dependants’ pensions. Tax efficient ways of getting extra pension and new bikes Access to our tax efficient car lease scheme for greener travel enabling you to lease a brand new, ultra-low emission vehicle (subject to eligibility) A payment if you refer someone you know to a hard to fill job You can also find information on our Terms and Conditions here. Already a Norfolk County Council employee? See and apply for internal and external vacancies in myOracle using your @norfolk.gov.uk or @nccal.ac.uk email. We would like to make you aware that priority consideration for this post may be given to current employees who are at risk due to restructure within the organisation or are in a redeployment position. Redeployment closing date: 30 October 2025 at 23:55 All other applicants closing date: 09 November 2025 at 23:55 Interview date: 25 November 2025