Service Manager - CLA Aftercare & CWD
Job Description
Service Manager - Children Looked After (CLA), Aftercare & Children with Disabilities (CWD)
£63,393 - £73,167 per annum (Plus Market Supplement £5,400 per annum*)
Grade: H
Permanent Contract
37 Hours per Week
About the Department
The CLA, Aftercare and CWD service is committed to delivering outstanding care planning, permanency and support that enables children and young people to thrive, develop independence and achieve the best possible outcomes. Currently rated Outstanding by Ofsted, we aspire to continually develop our practice and our people to make a real difference.
This is a dynamic and high-profile service, providing ongoing support and intervention for children and young people in care, care leavers and children and young people with disabilities, ensuring their needs are met and their voices are heard.
About the Role
As a Service Manager, you will lead and develop your teams to deliver high-quality, relationship-based practice that prioritises the wellbeing and outcomes of every child and young person. You will foster a culture of learning, reflection and professional growth, ensuring your teams feel valued, supported, and empowered to excel.
Thurrock has a friendly and supportive Children's Services Department, and we work within the Signs of Safety model, use a contextual safeguarding approach and are passionate about developing social work staff with a good training and development offer.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking an experienced, energetic, and passionate qualified social worker with a proven track record of leadership within a statutory children’s social care setting. You may already be an established Service Manager or an aspiring one, ready to take the next step in your career.
You will bring strong experience in care planning, permanency, safeguarding and corporate parenting, with the ability to work innovatively and collaboratively across partnerships to meet the diverse and complex needs of our children and young people.
Essential qualifications: A social work qualification and be SWE Registered
DBS Check: Enhanced with Children's Barred List DBS Check is required for this post.
Benefits of Working with Us
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Staff discounts and local offers
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
Important Dates
Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 23rd October 2025
Closing Date (Internal & External): 2nd November 2025
Interview Date: 7th November 2025
Additional Information
*Market Supplement is Subject to Annual Review
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
Luke Froment - Service Manager, Children Looked After
On email: lxfroment@thurrock.gov.uk
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
Application Requirements
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
About us
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council
Salary range
- £63,393 - £73,167 per year