Service Delivery Manager – Stable Care and Reunification
Job Title: Service Delivery Manager – Stable Care and Reunification
Salary: £60,480 – £66,318
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Leeds
About the Role
As Service Delivery Manager of our Placements, Reunification and Placement Stability and Support Service, you will be motivated by ensuring children experience safe, stable and nurturing care, with a clear focus on permanency, family and reunification. This role is not just about managing placements; it is about leading services that actively support placement stability, strengthen family relationships and safely reduce reliance on care through effective reunification practice.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region. Alongside our partners we share a strong ambition to become the best council in the country and the first truly Child Friendly City.
About You
- A recognised social work qualification (DipSW, Degree, CQSW or equivalent) and registration with Social Work England
- Significant senior leadership experience within children’s social care, including managing placement-related services
- Strong experience of leading multidisciplinary teams to improve placement stability and permanency outcomes
- Proven ability to lead service improvement, quality assurance and performance management
- A values-led commitment to restorative, trauma-informed and child-centred practice
Key Responsibilities
- Support delivery of programmes of strategic significance to the Council to deliver services in line with Council priorities.
- Responsible for the development and delivery of the service plan and drive continuous improvement initiatives through leading and contributing to cross Council projects.
- Promote new and innovative family‑led and restorative approaches that empower families and communities.
- Develop the role of the teams to facilitate the directorate’s multi‑agency approach centred around the needs of children and young people throughout the city especially those who are most vulnerable.
- Effectively lead and direct teams within prescribed political and governance processes.
- Ensure the effective and timely communication of key messages to the team.
- Deliver better outcomes against professional standards within a context of resource availability.
- Provide direction and support and set clear objectives to immediate line reports.
- Foster and develop a climate of shared accountabilities, learning and continuous improvement.
- Effectively sustain a culture that consistently meets the needs of and engages with children, families and staff to meet the business needs of the directorate.
- Deputise when required for the Head of Service and represent on all matters relating to the leadership, management and development of the service at a local and city wide level.
- Ensure the effective management and implementation of robust performance management processes to ensure delivery of outcomes within an evidence based model.
- Ensure the management and implementation of regular formal quality assurance, audit and performance management and reporting through the use of effective management information systems and ensure this meets statutory requirements.
- Contribute to the directorate’s goal to deliver ‘good’ or equivalent outcomes from external inspections, reviews and assessments.
- Lead the development and implementation of local service plans as part of the overall directorate, corporate and partnership framework.
- Ensure that teams work collaboratively and effectively within local partnership arrangements.
- Build strong and dynamic local relationships and networks and build trust with individuals and partner agencies to deliver better outcomes for all children and young people particularly those who are vulnerable and have the most complex needs.
- Lead effective multi‑agency locality based relationships which underpin safe and effective services for children in Leeds.
- Ensure all aspects of people management within the service, creating an organisational climate of high performance, shared accountabilities, learning and continuous improvement which meets the needs of, and engages with, children, families, communities and staff ensuring that excellent people management practices are embedded throughout the service.
- Lead day‑to‑day service delivery and the continuous development and improvement of specified provider services in accordance with agreed targets and objectives included in council and service plans.
- Lead on Safeguarding including Safer recruitment, the requirements of Children Act 1989 & 2004, Working Together 2010 and any subsequent legal version updates to ensure a child‑friendly and child‑focused approach.
- Lead and manage, both organisationally and professionally, the delivery of all services in specified service areas, which may be defined functionally and/or geographically.
- Deliver partnership working through integrated practice for effective service delivery, ensuring compliance with joint protocols and provide specialist advice as appropriate to partner agencies and integrated services.
- Develop and promote services and practice improvements which are designed to mitigate risk and provide qualitative improvement to the outcomes for children.
- In line with the Budget Management Accountability Framework to be responsible and accountable for all financial resources within the service area ensuring value for money and working within financial regulations.
- Review and monitor the performance of services, systems, budget, teams and individuals against standards and agreed outcomes in a cost‑effective and flexible way that is responsive to a dynamic local, political and national context.
Qualifications
Appropriate professional qualification (DipSW, Degree, CQSW or equivalent). Registration with Social Work England upon commencement of the post and maintenance of registration.
Essential Requirements
- Diploma in Social Work or equivalent.
- Experience of working within a multi‑agency environment and forging and driving successful partnerships.
- Experience of having led and managed professional teams leading to successful outcomes for children.
- Experience of leading, managing, supporting and developing individuals and teams, promoting a ‘can do’ attitude and an environment of continuous improvement.
- Demonstrate understanding of relevant inspection regimes and evaluation frameworks.
- Knowledge of local issues impacting on the service and demonstrate associated linkages with the needs of children and young people in the locality.
- Ability to find and implement creative and innovative solutions to complex problems.
- Demonstrate an ability to make difficult decisions, to be held accountable, and be comfortable managing targets and outputs.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence, negotiate and establish credibility for the team, enhance its reputation, and form positive relationships.
- Ability to employ a range of leadership styles which focus on achieving results in terms of outcomes for children and young people.
- Understanding of the Child Friendly City concept and the voice and influence of children and young people.
- Knowledge of restorative practice approaches within the context of services to children, young people and families.
- Understanding/knowledge of using results‑based accountability methodology to drive service improvement.
- Able to demonstrate examples of managing services and achieving quality transformational outcomes.
- Able to manage competing priorities, ensuring delivery on a range of programmes and adapting to changing circumstances.
- Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, inspections and performance information.
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of economic strategy and policy, understanding of local government political systems and experience of working on politically sensitive issues.
- Experience of senior leadership and management relevant to area of service delivery.
- Experience of strategic and operational resource management including the evaluation of competing priorities and managing accountabilities.
- Significant experience of leading change programmes, driving up standards and performance.
- Significant experience and commitment in relation to engagement in decision making processes.
- Significant experience of developing productive working relationships with Council Members, trade unions and Corporate Leadership Team.
Behavioural & Other Characteristics Required
- Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
- Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
- Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection.
- Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all working in an anti‑discriminatory manner.
- Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
- Understand and observe Leeds City Council approach to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
Benefits
- Competitive senior salary and generous annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
- Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements.
- Access to leadership development and continuing professional development.
- A wide range of staff benefits to support wellbeing and financial resilience.
EEO Statement
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencement of employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or by having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you will usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.
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