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Service Manager - Assessment Service
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Service Manager (Children’s Services – Assessment) at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
About the Role
Ready to lead and shape practice at the front door of children’s services?
We’re seeking an experienced, strategic and passionate Service Manager to lead our Assessment Service at Dudley Children’s Services. This is a pivotal leadership role, where you will:
- Oversee multiple teams at the front door of children’s services
- Ensure consistency, quality of practice, and strong decision-making for children and families at the earliest point of contact
- Set the direction of the service, drive improvement, and ensure the right help is provided at the right time
Reporting to the Principal Service Lead, you will work within a strong leadership team to support delivery, manage demand, and embed high-quality, child-centred practice across all assessment teams.
If you are a confident leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to making a meaningful difference, this role could be for you.
Key Responsibilities
As Service Manager, you will be responsible for:
Leadership & Strategic Oversight
- Provide leadership and oversight to Team Managers across the Assessment Service
- Work closely with Service Managers and Principal Service Leads in Family Help to manage demand across different areas
- Drive consistency of practice, performance, and decision-making across all teams
Quality & Decision-Making
- Ensure timely, high-quality assessments that are analytical and outcome-focused
- Maintain oversight of risk, thresholds, and safeguarding decisions at the first point of contact
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Service Development & Improvement
- Lead on service development and continuous improvement, embedding best practice across teams
- Manage service demand and performance, ensuring resources are used effectively
Team Management & Support
- Support and develop Team Managers to deliver strong leadership and high standards of practice
- Work closely with partners to ensure a coordinated, multi-agency approach
Strategic Contribution
- Contribute to strategic planning and service direction alongside the Principal Service Lead
About You
We’re looking for an individual who:
- Is a qualified and highly experienced social worker, with substantial leadership experience in management within children’s services
- Has a strong understanding of front-door services, thresholds, and assessment practice
- Brings experience of leading managers and driving service-wide improvements
- Is confident in making complex decisions under high pressure
- Has a track record of improving performance, quality, and outcomes for children
- Is a strong communicator, able to influence, challenge, and support at all levels
- Is committed to delivering consistent, high-quality, child-centred practice across services
Why Join Dudley?
At Dudley Children’s Services, we are committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and putting children first. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Lead a critical front-line service, shaping practice at the earliest stage of a child’s journey
- Drive consistency and excellence across multiple teams
- Work within a supportive and ambitious senior leadership team
- Influence service-wide improvement and strategic direction
- Enjoy hybrid working, with an expectation of 3 in-person office-based days per week
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This is your chance to lead at scale, shaping how Dudley responds to children and families at first contact, ensuring meaningful, consistent, and high-quality decisions.
Next Steps
Ready to make an impact? For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:
- Karen Johnson (Principal Service Lead) – Karen.Johnson@dudley.gov.uk
- Donessa Gray (Principal Service Lead) – Donessa.gray@dudley.gov.uk
To comply with anonymisation requirements, ensure personal data is removed (e.g., name, date of birth) from any attachments.
*Applications must be submitted via Dudley’s online system. Public libraries within Dudley Borough provide access to these facilities.
Key Policy & Contact Information
- Right to Work in UK: Required for all applicants. Dudley MBC does not offer sponsorship.
- Support Available: For assistance completing applications or interview preparation, contact Dudley Adult and Community Learning on 01384 818 143 or acl@dudley.gov.uk.
- Disability Assistance: If you require support applying, email HR.Resourcing@dudley.gov.uk.
- Technical Issues: Visit WM Jobs Help Page or contact HR.Resourcing@dudley.gov.uk.
- Privacy & Disclaimers: View Dudley Council’s full Privacy and Disclaimer Statement.
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