London Borough of Sutton
Service Manager- SEND Family Help, Children's Social Care
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Service Manager- SEND Family Help, Children's Social Care
Service Manager – SEND Family Help Service
About the London Borough of Sutton
The London Borough of Sutton, located under 30 minutes by train from Central London (with direct connections to London Victoria and London Bridge), lies in Zone 5 and enjoys exceptional transport links. Known for its award-winning parks, low crime rates, affordable housing, and top-rated schools, Sutton demonstrates high resident engagement and satisfaction in delivering quality services.
At the heart of Sutton’s ambitions, outlined in the "Ambitious for Sutton" corporate plan, lies a commitment to the health, wellbeing, and education of its residents and future generations. The borough is home to the Royal Marsden Hospital and the Institute of Cancer Research, anchoring London’s Cancer Hub. This initiative aims to create 13,000 jobs and contribute £1.2bn annually to the UK economy, establishing Sutton as the world’s leading life-science district focused on cancer research and treatment. Regeneration projects, including new homes and schools, reflect the Council’s dedication to fostering independence and balanced support for vulnerable residents.
Sutton partners strategically with neighbouring boroughs under the South London Partnership, driving growth, regeneration, and investment. As part of the "Ambitious for Sutton" plan, the Council enhances services and community spaces, aiming to shape the future of the Borough—a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
About the Role & Ideal Candidate
Core Purpose
Operational leadership of the three Family Help Teams within the SEND (Special Educational Needs & Disabilities) Family Help Service. Responsiveness to the team’s core objective: providing exceptional support for children and families while fostering a culture of professional growth through learning, development, and ambition.
Key Responsibilities
- Line Management & Team Leadership
- Oversee and support 3 Team Managers in delivering outstanding service to families.
- Ensure practitioners are enthusiastic, committed, and reliable, aligned with professional networks.
- Short Breaks Management
- Budget oversight: Maximise the short breaks budget for diverse family needs.
- Approve requests for funding and attend the weekly Short Breaks Panel.
- Workplace Culture & Development
- Cultivate a positive service culture, setting clear service targets and providing growth opportunities for staff.
- Multi-Agency Collaboration
- Maintain positive relationships across the multi-agency partnership to guarantee optimal support for children with disabilities and their families.
- Attend all relevant multi-agency panels and meetings to facilitate integrated solutions.
- Safeguarding Compliance
- Uphold high-standard safeguarding practices through rigorous support and challenge, and robust performance monitoring.
- Strategic Ambition for Children
- Ensure that clear, ambitious plans are in place to enable children and young people with SEND to thrive and progress towards their full potential.
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About You: Key Qualifications
Essential Requirement
An ambitious individual, deeply invested in SEND family support, who is passionate about delivering and innovating services to ensure young people thrive within their families.
Experience & Skills
- Proven Leadership in Social Work
- Experienced, qualified social work manager with expertise in leading teams and developing both junior and senior staff within dynamic environments.
- Positive communicator skilled in forging strong familial and multi-sector partnerships to create SMART-based plans.
- Budgetary & Financial Stewardship
- Experience in budget management and ensuring best value for money.
- Statutory Safeguarding Expertise
- Extensive background in statutory safeguarding settings with a deep understanding of protective legislation and guidance.
- SEND-Specific Knowledge
- Specialised expertise in applying policy and law to the needs of SEND children. Proven track record in ensuring best and safest outcomes.
- Innovative mindset and drive
- Agile, proactive, and future-focused, with second-to-none insights into shaping the next evolution of SEND Family Help Services.
About the SEND Family Help Service
Our Mission
To create a trauma-informed, restorative approach tailored to the whole family, built on robust multi-agency networks. Our services include family networking, short breaks, direct support, and statutory interventions (e.g., child protection and looked-after children systems).
Our Vision
Transitioning to a physical multi-agency Hub—an accessible one-stop-shop for families seeking support and care at the optimal moment.
The Council has accelerated the Families First Model, with the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team operational from July 2026, and the rollout of Multi-Disciplinary Family Services, including the SEND Family Help Service. This initiative underscores a bold commitment to transformation, ensuring proactive and inclusive service delivery.
Our Offer to Employees
Work Environment
At the London Borough of Sutton, we foster a supportive, collaborative, and growth-minded culture. Employees are encouraged to share ideas, backed by a dynamic management team, while continually driving innovation in service delivery.
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Benefits Package
Comprehensive perks to enhance work-life balance:
- Annual Leave: 26-32 days + bank holidays (prorated for part-time roles), scaled by service length and grade.
- Family Leave: Enhanced maternity/paternity, shared parental, adoption, and dependents’ policies.
- Volunteering: Unpaid leave—2 volunteering days annually.
- Flexibility & Technology:
- Smarter Working Scheme (applicable roles).
- Agile working policies with Google Chromebooks.
- Learning: Centralised training portal.
- Local Discounts: Savings accessible over retail, restaurants, gyms, and leisure.
- Travel Support:
- Interest-free season ticket loan.
- Cycle-to-work scheme and bicycle loan, plus electric vehicle leasing.
- Employee Wellbeing:
- Access to confidential health & counselling services.
- Encouraged through a commitment to talent development and recognition.
Application Process
How to Apply
Submit an online application, highlighting:
- Relevant skills, abilities, and experience.
- Mention the role’s requirements within your submission. Verify CV data is accurately listed in all columns.
AI Policy & Authenticity
While AI tools are welcomed to collaborate with applicants:
- Résumés should simultaneously incorporate authentic, personal insight.
- Companion statements should demonstrate genuine alignment with the PRIDE values of the Council (Proactive, Resilient, Inclusive, Determined, and Ethical).
The Strategic Diversity Programme anonymises applications to levell involved bias in recruitment. Our selection process advocates for diverse interview panels reflective of varying ages, cultures, and neurodivergence.
Eligibility
- Enhance diversity: The Council values applications from underrepresented groups.
- Equal opportunity accord: All applicants will receive confidential consideration. Disability-adapting interviews are fully enabled.
Lastly, the role involves a competitive application influx. Early submissions are encouraged to avoid closure.
Further Details
As a disability-confident employer, Sutton guarantees interviews for all qualified applicants. Pay transparency declaration: All roles adhere to the London Living Wage standard. Immigration note: Sponsorship criteria varies and prioritises right-to-work compliance.
Ready for an opportunity to innovate SEND services? Join us in making Sutton a benchmark for multilateral support.
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