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 (url removed) or call (phone number removed)
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