Service Manager

Suffolk County Council | Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX, West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU or Riverside, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ, Suffolk, Hybrid working | Salary: £60,135 per annum (pro rata for part time) | Hours: 37 hours per week, Flexible working options available | Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. We're not just a local authority; we're a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities. As our new Service Manager for Residential Care, you will lead Suffolk County Council’s Children’s Homes Service across the county, providing strategic and visible leadership and shaping the future development of our in‑house residential provision. You will have a unique opportunity to influence county‑wide service delivery, working at a senior level to improve outcomes for Children in Care. You will be keen to take forward key strategic priorities for residential care, working closely with senior managers, partners and your management team, and will have outstanding leadership skills with the ability to drive through change to improve outcomes for Children in Care.

Your role and responsibilities

You will:

• lead and promote good practice, developing a clear vision for the service
• have the ability, creativity and commitment to deliver a high‑quality, safe and sustainable residential care service for some of the most vulnerable children in our community
• provide strategic leadership across the Children’s Homes Service, with responsibility for people, performance, budgets and safeguarding
• work in partnership across the council and with external agencies to deliver statutory, regulatory and corporate parenting priorities

You will need

• extensive experience within children’s homes and the knowledge and practical use of Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004, Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and related regulations and guidance
• to be able to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of the Children’s Act, the Care Standards Act, the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and the current issues facing Children in Care
• proven track record of providing management and oversight within children’s services
• excellent organisational and communication skills to successfully manage a senior leadership role of this scale

About the team

The Children’s Homes Service is part of Suffolk County Council’s Corporate Parenting service and provides residential care for children and young people aged 8–17 with a range of social, emotional and mental health needs. The service is committed to delivering safe, nurturing and high‑quality provision, working in partnership across Children and Young People’s Services to continually improve outcomes for children in care.

Empowering Everyone

We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.

Benefits

In return, you’ll enjoy:

• up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
• membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
• performance‑related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost‑of‑living pay increase
• training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
• a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
• diverse and active staff networks
• flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day

Closing date

11.30 pm, 12 May 2026

Commitments

This authority 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. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.

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