Service Manager for Residential Care Redeployment 23094

• Suffolk County Council
• Address: Endeavour House Ipswich IP1 2BX West Suffolk House Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU or Riverside Lowestoft NR33 0EQ Suffolk - Hybrid
• Salary: 60135 per annum (pro rata for part time)
• Hours: 37 hours per week flexible working options available
• Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council every role is a chance to create positive change. Were not just a local authority; were a team of dedicated individuals working together to improve lives across our diverse communities

As our new Service Manager for Residential Care you will lead Suffolk County Councils Childrens Homes Service across the county providing strategic and visible leadership and shaping the future development of our inhouse residential provision. You will have a unique opportunity to influence countywide service delivery working at a senior level to improve outcomes for Children in Care.

You will be keen to take forward key strategic priorities for residential care working closely with senior managers partners and your management team and will have outstanding leadership skills with the ability to drive through change to improve outcomes for Children in Care.

Reimagine the possibilities

Your role and responsibilities

You will:

• lead and promote good practice developing a clear vision for the service
• have the ability creativity and commitment to deliver a highquality safe and sustainable residential care service for some of the most vulnerable children in our community
• provide strategic leadership across the Childrens Homes Service with responsibility for people performance budgets and safeguarding
• work in partnership across the council and with external agencies to deliver statutory regulatory and corporate parenting priorities.

This post offers a unique opportunity to improve our residential offer to young people in care and develop best models of practice in Suffolk. We are committed to improving the life chances of young people and this role plays a key part in shaping and delivering our corporate parenting and residential care strategy.

You will need:

• extensive experience within childrens homes and the knowledge and practical use of Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004 Childrens Homes Regulations 2015 and related regulations and guidance
• to be able to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of the Childrens Act the Care Standards Act the Childrens Homes Regulations 2015 and the current issues facing Children in Care
• proven track record of providing management and oversight within childrens services.
• excellent organisational and communication skills to successfully manage a senior leadership role of this scale.

You can view a full list of requirements in Job and Person Profile.If you believe you can succeed in this role apply. Even if you dont meet all requirements still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.

About the team

The Childrens Homes Service is part of Suffolk County Councils Corporate Parenting service and provides residential care for children and young people aged 817 with a range of social emotional and mental health needs. The service is committed to delivering safe nurturing and highquality provision working in partnership across Children and Young Peoples Services to continually improve outcomes for children in care.

Empowering Everyone

Were big believers in potential possibility and the power of different ideas. Were always searching for ways to encourage respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation as shown in ourWorkforce Equality Report

For more information

Please contact Luke Froment (Head of Service Care and Support for Looked After Children) for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling or emailing

How to apply

Step 1 -Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

Step 2 -Click Apply Now to start your online application.

Step 3 -Upload asupporting statementanswering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use theSupporting Statement template (Word).

1. Tell us about a time you created and communicated a clear vision for a residential childrens service and got others to commit to it. What changed as a result
2. Describe a time you improved quality and compliance in a regulated service. How did you identify risks and embed sustainable improvements
3. Tell us about a time you identified emerging risks/pressures in a service (e.g. staffing placement demand building issues) and acted early to prevent harm.
4. Give an example of how you built and sustained a strong leadership culture across a service. What did you do personally and what changed

Step 4 -Upload a CV (without name and personal details).

Please note:Without a supporting statement and CV your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application please see our How to Apply page.

Planning to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) Please ensure your application still reflects your own skills experience and ideas. If used inappropriately your application may not be processed. Please read our guidance for using AI to understand whats acceptable.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team ator. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.

Closing date:11.30pm 27 April 2026

This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. #LI-Hybrid