Service Manager
| Posting date: | 29 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £60,135 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 May 2026 |
| Location: | Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2BX |
| Company: | Suffolk County Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 23094 |
Summary
- 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: £60,135 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. We're not just a local authority; we're 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 Council’s Children’s Homes Service across the county, providing strategic and visible leadership and shaping the future development of our in‑house residential provision. You will have a unique opportunity to influence county‑wide 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 high‑quality, safe and sustainable residential care service for some of the most vulnerable children in our community
- provide strategic leadership across the Children’s 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 children’s homes and the knowledge and practical use of Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004, Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and related regulations and guidance
- to be able to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of the Children’s Act, the Care Standards Act, the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and the current issues facing Children in Care
- proven track record of providing management and oversight within children’s 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 don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
About the team
The Children’s Homes Service is part of Suffolk County Council’s Corporate Parenting service and provides residential care for children and young people aged 8–17 with a range of social, emotional and mental health needs. The service is committed to delivering safe, nurturing and high‑quality provision, working in partnership across Children and Young People’s Services to continually improve outcomes for children in care.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re 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 our Workforce 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 07889914142 or emailing Luke.Froment2@suffolk.gov.uk
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 a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).
1. Tell us about a time you created and communicated a clear vision for a residential children’s 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 what’s 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 at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 May 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
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
- Address: Endeavour House, Ipswich IP1 2BX, West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3YU or Riverside, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ, Suffolk - Hybrid
- Salary: £60,135 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. We're not just a local authority; we're 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 Council’s Children’s Homes Service across the county, providing strategic and visible leadership and shaping the future development of our in‑house residential provision. You will have a unique opportunity to influence county‑wide 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 high‑quality, safe and sustainable residential care service for some of the most vulnerable children in our community
- provide strategic leadership across the Children’s 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 children’s homes and the knowledge and practical use of Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004, Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and related regulations and guidance
- to be able to demonstrate a sound working knowledge of the Children’s Act, the Care Standards Act, the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and the current issues facing Children in Care
- proven track record of providing management and oversight within children’s 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 don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
About the team
The Children’s Homes Service is part of Suffolk County Council’s Corporate Parenting service and provides residential care for children and young people aged 8–17 with a range of social, emotional and mental health needs. The service is committed to delivering safe, nurturing and high‑quality provision, working in partnership across Children and Young People’s Services to continually improve outcomes for children in care.
Empowering Everyone
We’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We’re 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 our Workforce 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 07889914142 or emailing Luke.Froment2@suffolk.gov.uk
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 a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).
1. Tell us about a time you created and communicated a clear vision for a residential children’s 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 what’s 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 at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 12 May 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
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you’ll enjoy:
up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
diverse and active staff networks
flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.