Service Manager Family Support and Protection - Mid

Service Manager Family Support and Protection - Mid Essex Permanent, Full Time
69,241 to 78,950 Per Annum

Location:

Chelmsford Working Style:
Fixed-base worker

Closing Date: 7th October 2026

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.We're serious about social work at Essex County Council. It's demanding, it's complex, but it's also hugely fulfilling. Here you'll have time to be the Service Manager you always wanted to be, achieving change for our most vulnerable children and families through direct relationship-based social work practice.

You'll work collaboratively with other agencies and partners to ensure that we provide the right response at the right time to every child and family receiving services.

We are looking to build on the well-earned achievements of our teams, and the families they work with. In this role, you will harness that momentum and lead our teams as we seek to deliver better outcomes for our community.
This is an opportunity to shape the direction of children’s social work in Essex.
From the small details to the big picture, you will be a guiding force for staff and families alike.

The Family Support and Protection (FS&P) teams work with families on Child in Need and Child Protection plans to promote sustainable change. FS&P Social Workers are responsible for building positive relationships with families using systemic and strengths based social work approaches. The work is varied and involves working within Public Law Outline (PLO) and Court Proceedings, when necessary.

As FS&P Service Manager you will also have responsibility for the Mid Essex Family Centre which provides parenting assessments, educative and therapeutic social work interventions, and a Multi-Disciplinary Team which provides bespoke intensive support to families.

You will work closely with other operational service managers within a well-established leadership team, and with other Service Managers across Essex to drive innovation in practice. Accountabilities Operational planning and performance review to maintain exceptional service delivery and ensures the political objectives and priorities of the council are met.

Working collaboratively within and across functions and thinking commercially to support the delivery of best possible outcomes for our customers on a financially sustainable basis.

Maintaining and nurturing collaborative relationships with other teams in the function and external organisations that support the delivery of annual plans.

Implementing changes and continually evaluating service to improve the area of work, while maintaining the highest possible levels of service quality are continually delivered.

Managing complex issues and resources to meet the needs of customers and deliver the best possible outcomes.

Effective utilisation of digital technologies and innovation across the council and with stakeholders and partners.

Ensuring equality and diversity is celebrated and considered as part of all decisions taken.

Using professional expertise to translate goals and plans into ways of working that comply with relevant legislation and statutory requirements and manages a level of appropriate risk.

Managing the delivery of exemplar customer interactions to individuals and communities which support the management of strong relationships and a reputation for achieving outcomes and resolving issues.

What you will need to join usA recognised social work qualification (i.e. Diploma, degree or master’s in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent) with current registration Social Work England.

Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners and stakeholders, demonstrating breadth of thinking…