Service Manager (Rights and Quality Improvement)

Company: Children First
Apply for the Service Manager (Rights and Quality Improvement)
Location: City of Edinburgh
Job Description:

About the role

Working alongside the Assistant Director and two other Service Managers, you will help lead the National Safeguarders Panel on behalf of the Scottish Government.

You’ll take the lead on complaints and concerns relating to Safeguarders, ensuring these are managed fairly, consistently and in line with legislation and best practice.

You’ll champion children’s rights throughout our work, drive continuous quality improvement and help shape learning and development for Safeguarders across Scotland.

You’ll also build strong partnerships with Scottish Government, Children’s Hearings Scotland, the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration and other key stakeholders to ensure children remain at the heart of everything we do.

This is a strategic leadership role where you’ll combine operational management, quality assurance, relationship building and service development to make a lasting difference for children and young people.

What you’ll bring

  • Significant leadership experience within children’s services or a related environment.
  • Experience of managing investigations, complaints or quality assurance processes.
  • Strong knowledge of Scotland’s Children’s Hearings System and children’s rights.
  • The ability to build effective relationships across complex partnerships.
  • Experience leading teams, managing resources and delivering service improvement.
  • Excellent judgement, communication and decision‑making skills.
  • A collaborative leadership style that reflects our values.
  • A Social Work qualification or another relevant professional qualification at SCQF Level 9 (or equivalent) is essential.

Why join Children First?

By joining us you will be helping to shape services that protect children’s rights across Scotland while working alongside passionate colleagues who share your commitment to making a difference.

We offer:

  • 40 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
  • Flexible and hybrid working
  • Pension scheme
  • Westfield Health wellbeing support
  • Blue Light Card discounts
  • Learning and development opportunities
  • Fair Work accredited workplace

Our values

Everything we do is guided by our values.

With love, we put children first.

With purpose, we transform children’s lives together.

With strength, we do whatever it takes to protect Scotland’s children.

If you’re an experienced leader who shares our commitment to children’s rights and wants to influence practice on a national scale, we’d love to hear from you.

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Posted: July 18th, 2026