Practice Manager - Children's Services (Safeguarding, Review & QA) Location: Stoke-on-Trent City Council Hours: Monday to Friday Pay Rate: £41-£42 per hour (Umbrella - non-negotiable) Lead with purpose. Protect futures. Shape lives. Are you an experienced Children's Services Manager ready to step into a high-impact leadership role where your decisions genuinely change lives? Stoke-on-Trent City Council is looking for a Practice Manager / Principal Manager to join its Independent Safeguarding, Review and Quality Assurance Service. This is a pivotal role at the heart of safeguarding practice, ensuring children's voices are heard, plans are effective, and outcomes are strong. Why Stoke-on-Trent? Stoke-on-Trent City Council is on a clear improvement journey and is committed to: Strong and visible leadership High-quality safeguarding and review practice A supportive, collaborative working culture Continuous improvement and professional development Children are at the centre of everything the council does, and social workers are valued, supported, and empowered to deliver their best work. About the Role As Principal Manager (Practice Manager - Children's Services), you will: Provide leadership across safeguarding, review, and quality assurance services Ensure robust, timely, and child-centred decision-making Drive high standards of practice and continuous improvement Support and challenge practice to improve outcomes for children and families Work closely with senior leaders and multi-agency partners This is a strategic leadership role with the opportunity to influence practice at both operational and senior levels. What We're Looking For Extensive experience in Children's Social Care leadership Strong knowledge of safeguarding, review, and quality assurance frameworks Confident decision-maker with a child-focused approach Proven ability to lead, inspire, and develop high-performing teams What's in It for You? Monday to Friday working pattern supporting work-life balance Opportunity to influence practice at a senior level Work within a council committed to improvement and staff development The chance to make a meaningful difference to children and families About Guidant Global Guidant Global specialises in Social Work recruitment, partnering with local authorities across the UK to connect experienced professionals with roles where they can make a real impact. To apply or find out more, please get in touch today. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manager seeking a rewarding leadership role within Children's Services. Guidant, Carbon60, Lorien & SRG - The Impellam Group Portfolio are acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy