Guardian Jobs 2023 – Service Manager

About the job

SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL

The starting salary for this role is £62,363 per annum for working 36 hours per week.

Joining Surrey as a Service Manager will be an opportunity to be part of a culture in which children and families are supported in a spirit of partnership that encourages them to develop their own solutions while receiving the help and support they need to address their complex situations. You will also nurture and grow your own team of team managers, social workers and practitioners using a motivational interviewing approach, which contributes to Surrey’s continued journey to “outstanding”.

About Working In Assessment

The first contact any family or professional has with our assessment service sets the tone for our entire working relationship with them. Our practice across the whole service is based upon consent and building strong relationships with both families and the partners who also support our families. Using motivational approaches, the assessment social worker engages with both the family and the network supporting them to understand the presenting worries and work out whether a statutory social work service is required. If not, a plan to support the family at a lower level of need will be put in place to meet the need of the child and family. As a Service Manager you will be responsible for leading a high-quality service ensuring that the team is delivering high-quality and timely assessments and interventions to children and their families.

One Voice

In Surrey, you will have a sense of belonging within your individual team but also the wider service areas and directorate. You will receive high quality supervision, as there is a firm commitment towards dedicating time that focusses on the work you do with children and families to enable you to work creatively and holistically in providing support and protection to children whilst also paying attention to your wellbeing and career development. This allows you to feel continuously fulfilled in your role and have a pathway to achieve your future aspirations.

Wherever you are in your career journey, Surrey is committed to supporting and nurturing you so that you can be the best version of yourself.

Our Surrey Children’s Service Academy currently has over 60 courses available and offers a bespoke learning programme so you can be at the forefront of best practice. Modules such as motivational interviewing and our total respect course allow you to feel empowered in having essential conversations whilst still ensuring a child centred approach.

How We Support You

Surrey is committed to supporting you in and out of work and we offer a number of benefits to help support you in your time away from work. A few examples of these are:

• A competitive relocation package
• We pay your Social Worker England Registration fee
• 28 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service
• Car lease scheme
• Competitive local government pension
• Family and lifestyle discounts via Surrey Extra (discounts on everyday shopping with shopping cards and vouchers for many high street retailers). Plus, voucher codes, cinema tickets and reward points, holiday offers and weekend breakaways, and lots more! 
• Childcare voucher scheme
• Smart Employee Eyecare – free eye test and if required a free pair of discounted glasses, with no up-front costs to you! 
• Employee Assistance Programme – offers advice, support and helpful information on personal, family, work, financial, legal and health issues, plus one to one counselling with 6 free counselling sessions
• Fostering and adoption support

You can find out more about the range of benefits we offer by visiting Surrey staff benefits.

Additional Information

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 30th October 2023.

Interviews will take place on 9th November 2023.

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Contact Details

If you’d like to talk to us and find out more about this role, please drop a message to [email protected] and we’ll get a call arranged.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.