GatenbySanderson
Interim Service Manager – Safeguarding and Review (Children’s Services)
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Interim Service Manager – Safeguarding and Review (Children’s Services)
Location: Hybrid Working (minimum 3 days per week on-site)
Contract: Interim Assignment – 6 Months
Sector: Children’s Services
Requirement: Qualified Social Worker
My client is seeking an experienced Interim Service Manager – Safeguarding and Review to lead their Children in Care Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) Service on an initial 6-month contract.
This opportunity has arisen due to the internal secondment of the substantive post holder and offers the chance to join a committed Children's Services leadership team dedicated to delivering high-quality outcomes for children and young people.
About the Role
Operating within a restorative practice framework, the successful candidate will provide strategic and operational leadership to a team of Independent Reviewing Officers, promoting relationship-based practice and ensuring children and young people remain at the centre of care planning and decision-making.
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The Service Manager will be responsible for overseeing the IRO service, supporting effective partnership working, and providing both support and constructive challenge to social work teams to ensure the best possible outcomes for children in care. The post holder will also undertake the statutory function of IRO Service Manager.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage the Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) team.
- Champion restorative and relational practice across the service.
- Promote meaningful participation of children and young people in their care planning.
- Support the development of safe and nurturing relationships between children and their families where appropriate.
- Provide oversight, support, and challenge to social work teams to drive high standards of practice.
- Ensure the service meets all statutory responsibilities and regulatory requirements relating to children in care reviews.
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About You
To be considered for this role, you will have:
- Qualified Social Worker status and current professional registration.
- Previous experience working as an Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) and/or managing an IRO team.
- Significant management experience at Service Manager level within Children's Services.
- Strong knowledge of legislation, statutory guidance, and best practice relating to children in care.
- Excellent leadership, performance management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience of driving high-quality practice within a restorative or relationship-based framework.
Working Arrangements
- Hybrid working model.
- Minimum of 3 days per week on-site.
- No condensed hours available.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Children's Services manager to make an immediate impact within a well-established safeguarding and review service.
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