Job Description

Job Introduction

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As Service Manager, you will lead and supervise a team of Child Protection Conference Chairs, ensuring conferences are delivered to statutory standards and within timescales. You will drive quality assurance and continuous improvement across Children's Services, champion the voice of children and families, produce analytical reports, and contribute to strategic planning. You will also manage dispute resolution processes and provide expert advice on complex cases.

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About you

We are looking for someone who holds a Social Work qualification and is registered with Social Work England. You should have substantial experience in safeguarding and managing social workers, demonstrate strong leadership and strategic thinking, and possess quality assurance expertise. The ability to build effective relationships with multi-agency partners and a commitment to equality, diversity, and improving outcomes for children are essential.

Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England. Significant post-qualification experience in safeguarding and child protection. Proven track record in managing social workers and embedding quality assurance mechanisms. Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills. Committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and continuous professional development.
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Why join us?

Be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to safeguarding children. We offer opportunities for professional development and leadership growth, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive environment. Apply now and help shape the future of children's services in Medway!

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Our organisation

Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including the Hoo Peninsula.


Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.


We provide all local Government services for a quarter of a million people, looking after education, environment, social care, housing, planning, business and much more - everything from frontline services such as rubbish collection and events like the Dickens Festival to work that goes on behind the scenes to ensure services in Medway run smoothly and cost effectively.


Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of this journey working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of our residents and the communities they live in.

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Important Information

Shortlisting for this role will take place on 30th December 2025. Interviews will take place in person, on W/C 5th January 2026. Applicants must be able to demonstrate all essential requirements as listed in the job profile. This post is subject to an enhanced Children's DBS check. For more information on our roles within Children's Services please visit https://www.medway.gov.uk/childrenservicesjobs

Please note that all recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in hard copy format, please contact the Children's Services Recruitment Team on 01634 332211 or email cscrecruitment@medway.gov.uk


Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.


We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

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Equal Opportunities Commitment Statement

Medway Council is committed to creating an inclusive work environment with a diverse workforce. All appropriately qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or age


For further information please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online


Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.


Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.


We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Salary

Up to 60,114 per annum + 10,000 p/a market premia, 3,000 annual retention and 3,000 p/a out of hours payment

Frequency

Annual

Job Reference

CSC/25/591/EG

Contract Type

Permanent Full Time

Working Hours

37

Closing Date

29 December, 2025

Job Category

Children's Services

Business Unit

People (Children's, Adults, Public Health, Education & SEND)

Location

Broadside, Leviathan Way, Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom

Directorate

People (Children, Adults, Public Health, Education & SEND)

Service

Children's Services

Children's Services

Safeguarding & QA

Posted on

18 December, 2025