Location
Sutton, London Borough of Sutton

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Up to £67,575 per annum, with additional Recruitment and Retention Bonuses:
£1,000 paid with first month's salary
£1,000 after first completed year
£2,000 after second completed year
£3,000 after third completed year and each year thereafter

About the Borough
The London Borough of Sutton is located less than 30 minutes by train from Central London, with direct connections to London Victoria and London Bridge. Situated in zone 5, Sutton offers excellent transport links, award-winning parks and open spaces, low crime rates, affordable housing, and great schools. The borough is known for high resident engagement and satisfaction, delivering quality services while addressing financial challenges and involving residents in key local developments.
Sutton is investing heavily in the health, wellbeing, and education of its residents as part of the “Ambitious for Sutton” corporate plan. Home to the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton is developing the London Cancer Hub, aiming to become the world’s leading life-science district specializing in cancer research and treatment. This vision will create around 13,000 jobs and contribute £1.2bn annually to the UK economy. The borough is committed to regeneration with new homes and schools, working closely with residents and vulnerable groups to balance support and independent living.
The Council is a key driver within the South London Partnership, focusing on strategic growth, regeneration, and investment to improve services and spaces, making Sutton a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

About the Service and Team
The London Borough of Sutton is uncompromising in its focus on improving frontline social work quality, as recognised by Ofsted. The Council collaborates with Kingston University and regional partners through the Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership (SWTP), offering extensive pre- and post-qualifying education opportunities to promote continuous learning and development. Staff are encouraged to support social work students and those in assessed and supported year in employment (ASYE), with access to conferences, workshops, and research resources.
Children's Social Care is undergoing significant transformation to meet the growing needs of children and families. Improvements focus on delivering better care and creating positive working environments. With committed leadership and experienced managers, the service is introducing fresh ideas to enhance support for children and families, aiming to provide high-quality care that helps children thrive while fostering an inclusive, diverse, and supportive environment for staff career development.

About the Role
As a Service Manager for First Contact (CFCS), Emergency Duty Team (CEDT), and Multi Agency Child Protection Team (MACPT), you will provide leadership to social care professionals ensuring child-centred interventions that prioritise the best interests of children and young people.
Your responsibilities will include developing and implementing children-focused policies and best practices, managing budgets and resources efficiently, maintaining high safeguarding standards, and fostering a positive team culture that encourages professional development.
You will provide strategic leadership to teams comprising Team Managers, social workers, and personal advisors, ensuring compliance with local and national legislation and maintaining high service standards. Monitoring practice, managing processes, and overseeing data management will be key to meeting statutory requirements and addressing the health and wellbeing needs of children, young people, and care leavers.
This role requires a thorough understanding of relevant legislation and policy, with a proven track record of achieving positive outcomes for children and young people. You will contribute to a strong, accessible, and supportive management culture that promotes regular supervision and continuous professional development.
Join us to help create an environment where both children in our care and staff can thrive and succeed.

Experience
- Qualified Social Worker with a Social Work Degree or recognised qualification, registered with Social Work England or relevant governing body
- Significant experience at team manager level (ideally 4 years) with demonstrable frontline safeguarding practice
- Proven leadership skills and social care expertise to develop services in line with changing needs and policies
- Excellent communication, analytical, and organisational skills
- Strong understanding of social work practice as defined within Children Act 1989 and Working Together 2023
- Knowledge and experience managing services for care-experienced young people is advantageous

About You
- Committed to delivering high-quality, child-centred social care
- Able to lead and inspire teams to achieve positive outcomes
- Skilled in fostering inclusive, diverse, and supportive working environments
- Motivated to support continuous professional development and staff wellbeing
- Adaptable to change and proactive in service improvement

Qualifications
- Registered Social Worker qualification as required by Social Work England or equivalent governing body