Service Manager - Children we Care for and Leaving care

Job Introduction

About Us

Every child deserves someone in their corner. Someone who believes in them, champions them and never gives up on their potential.

At Oxfordshire County Council, we take our role as a corporate parent incredibly seriously. We know that being a child in care or leaving care can come with unique challenges, but we also know that with the right support, opportunity and encouragement, young people can thrive.

Our ambition is simple: every child and young person we support should have the chance to live a safe, happy and fulfilling life. We are committed to delivering outstanding services that help children feel secure, build lasting relationships, achieve their goals and transition successfully into adulthood.

This is an opportunity to join a leadership team that is passionate about improving outcomes and driving innovation across children's services. You'll work alongside talented colleagues, partner agencies and communities who share a commitment to doing the very best for Oxfordshire's children and young people.

About the Role

This is not just another senior management role. This is an opportunity to shape the lives of some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable children and young people.

As Service Manager for Children We Care For and Leaving Care, you will provide strategic leadership across a large and complex service area, overseeing teams that support children in care, care leavers and unaccompanied children and young people. You will lead experienced managers and practitioners, ensuring that services deliver outstanding outcomes while operating effectively, efficiently and in line with statutory requirements.

You'll be responsible for driving service improvement, managing significant budgets and resources, and ensuring that children and young people receive consistently high-quality support. Working closely with partners across health, education, the voluntary sector and the wider council, you'll help shape services that give children stability, opportunity and the best possible start in adult life.

This role requires someone who can confidently balance strategic thinking with operational leadership. You'll influence policy, contribute to wider directorate priorities and play a key role in strengthening Oxfordshire's approach to corporate parenting.

Most importantly, you'll lead a service where every decision matters because every decision has the potential to improve a child's future.

About You

We're looking for an experienced and inspiring leader who combines strategic vision with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

You'll bring substantial leadership experience within children's social care and a strong understanding of services for children in care, care leavers and vulnerable young people. You'll be comfortable leading through complexity, managing large teams and delivering change within a demanding environment.

You'll have a track record of driving improvement, building strong partnerships and creating a culture where colleagues feel supported, empowered and motivated to achieve their best. Financial management, service performance and quality assurance will be familiar territory, but you'll never lose sight of the people behind the numbers.

Above all, you'll share our ambition for children and young people. You'll be someone who believes that great leadership can create life-changing opportunities and who is passionate about ensuring every child has the support, stability and encouragement they need to thrive.

If you're ready to lead a service that makes a lasting difference to children's lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Rewards and Benefits 

• Relocation allowance of up to £8,000 for eligible roles.
• Annual leave starting at 30 days per year (plus bank holidays).
• Option to buy additional holiday. 
• A comprehensive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
• Flexible working.
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support 24x7.
• Range of family-friendly policies.
• Childcare vouchers, cycle to work scheme, electric car scheme, range of staff discounts including travel, holidays, insurance, food, health & leisure activities.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Our commitment to:
 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to:
Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to:
Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to:
Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi-time, part time working, job sharing, nine-day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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