Service Manager - Conference and Reviewing

Role Details

Location: Hybrid - Countywide

Salary: Hay C £64,682 to £68,330 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week

Application Deadline: 07 September 2025
Interview Date: 15 and 16 September 2025

Lead with Purpose. Make a Lasting Impact.

Are you a qualified Social Worker with leadership experience, ready for your next big step?

Do you want to shape how we safeguard and support children across West Sussex?

We're looking for a dedicated and visionary Service Manager to lead our Conference and Reviewing Service-a team that plays a vital role in safeguarding children and ensuring high-quality planning and oversight for our Children in Care.

This is a pivotal role where you'll not only manage and inspire a team of Conference and Reviewing Officers, but also influence practice across the wider social care system. You'll be central to driving continuous improvement, embedding high standards, and ensuring we deliver the best possible outcomes for children and families.

About the Role

Why This Role?

• Be at the heart of decision-making for children and young people
• Shape services through strong leadership and collaboration
• Work closely with senior leaders to deliver strategic priorities
• Support frontline staff in complex situations, helping them do their best work
• Champion quality, consistency, and innovation across the system

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading a team of experienced Conference and Reviewing Officer who chair child protection conferences and reviews for our children we care for
• Ensuring all children have clear, outcome-focused plans and a strong voice in the process
• Providing professional oversight and challenge to improve practice
• Using insight and data to identify trends and drive service improvements
• Influencing policy, strategy, and operational planning
• Acting as a key partner across the wider children's services network

What You'll Bring

• A Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
• Proven leadership experience in children's social care
• Confidence to challenge, support, and collaborate across services
• Empathy, resilience, and a passion for improving lives
• A sharp eye for quality and a strong grasp of what great social work looks like

Why Join West Sussex?

You'll be joining West Sussex at an exciting point on our improvement journey getting to Good. Our 'Children First' plan is well underway, and we have a team of strong, passionate leaders to help us create the best outcomes for every child. With the transformation work underway for social care reforms, this is a really exciting time to join the Conference and Reviewing Service where you will influence and shape the future of West Sussex multi-agency child protection teams.

We're serious about improvement - and serious about supporting the people who deliver it. You'll be joining a children's service that is:

• Investing in leadership - with a strong senior team and clear improvement plan
• Focused on impact - driving better outcomes, not just process
• Rooted in values - where your professional judgement is respected and your voice matters

Benefits

In Return We offer:

• 30 days annual leave + bank holidays (38 days total)
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements
• Employer pension contribution of 18.7%
• A supportive, inclusive working environment focused on development and well-being

Explore our full range of benefits on our Rewards and Benefits page.

Ready to Apply?

Job Reference: CAFHE05893

Please upload your CV and a cover letter that outlines:

• Your motivation for applying
• How your skills and experience match the key criteria
• Any gaps in employment (these must be explained)

Please ensure you have saved the job description attached to the main advert on our website as, once the job has closed, you may not have the opportunity to download again.

Closing date: 07 September 2025
Interviews: 15 and 16 September 2025
For an informal conversation: Contact Service Managers: Hari Michael at or Suzanne Stokes at

Our Commitment

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

This post is subject to Social Work England registration, an enhanced DBS check, five years referencing, and an occupational health check.

Equity, inclusion, and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.