Service Manager Residential Portfolio

Barnsley Council have an exciting opportunity for a Service Manager Residential Portfolio (Childrens Social Care) to join the team based in Barnsley. You will join us on a full-time, permanent basis. In return, you will receive a competitive salary of £63,375 - £68,707 per annum.

Barnsley is investing in three new childrens residential homes as part of its Children in Care Sufficiency Strategy 2026 to 2030, reducing reliance on external and out of area placements and giving more of our children in care a home in Barnsley.

Were recruiting a Service Manager to lead this residential portfolio from the ground up. Youll take responsibility for all three homes as they move through registration, staffing and opening, and then for their ongoing operational and strategic management once live.

What youll be doing

Youll provide leadership and line management across the three homes, taking the lead on their development and on the recruitment of the staff wholl run them, including Registered Managers. Youll build relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders across the sufficiency programme, represent the homes at internal and external forums, and manage the budgets, contracts and performance systems that keep the service running to standard.

Youll also sit on the Out of Hours Senior Management Rota.

This is a new post, and youll be building the team and the operating model for the homes rather than stepping into something already established.

What were looking for

• Educated to degree level or equivalent, and a qualified, registered social worker
• A post-qualifying award, ideally with a postgraduate leadership or management qualification
• Team manager level experience (or equivalent) of operational management in a large organisation delivering services to children, young people and families
• Experience managing complex budgets and financial processes
• Experience of planning or delivering services in a multi-agency context, including within a commissioning environment
• A track record of leading and motivating teams to deliver sustainable, high quality service improvement
• Sound knowledge of the legislative and policy framework around childrens services, and of the regulatory and inspection regime youll be operating under, including Ofsted registration requirements
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and resolve conflict at a senior level

Why this role

Youd be shaping three services from inception rather than inheriting an existing structure, with direct input into staffing models, practice standards and how the homes operate day to day. Its a chance to build something rather than manage around the edges of something already fixed.

Closing date for application: Friday 9th October

If you feel you have the necessary skills and abilities to join our ambitious team as our Service Manager Residential Portfolio, click "apply" wed be delighted to receive your application.

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