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Do you see yourself driving meaningful change for children and families?

Can you use your experience to lead improvement and transformation across complex services?

Does the idea of joining a service committed to better outcomes for vulnerable children inspire you?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Children’s Service is looking for a passionate and dedicated Service Development Officer to join our team and help make a real difference.

About the Role:

As a Service Development Officer, you will play a key role in supporting the identification, planning and delivery of strategic priorities across Children’s Services and with our key partners. You will lead on the end-to-end continuous improvement cycle, delivering a range of significant and complex development and transformation projects.

Through your work, you will help modernise services, improve performance, and ensure better outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and their families.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting the delivery of strategic priorities within the Children’s Services Division
  
  
• Managing the full project lifecycle, from identification through to implementation and evaluation
  
  
• Leading service improvement activity and transformation projects
  
  
• Using data, analysis and stakeholder insight to inform service design and improvement
  
  
• Working collaboratively across teams and partners to embed sustainable change.

About You:

To succeed in this role, you will be a motivated and self-directed professional with strong analytical and improvement skills, and a clear commitment to public service.

You will bring:

• Proven experience in business analysis, service improvement or change management
  
  
• Knowledge of programme and project management methodologies
  
  
• Experience contributing to policy and strategy development
  
  
• Strong written, numerical and analytical skills
  
  
• Excellent problem-solving capability and attention to detail
  
  
• The ability to work independently, use initiative, and manage complex priorities
  
  
• Confidence engaging with stakeholders across systems and services
  
  
• Experience of working within children’s services, local government or the public sector is highly desirable.

About the Team:

You will join a dedicated Service Development team working at the heart of the Children’s Services Division. The team supports the design, delivery and evaluation of improvement and transformation activity that strengthens practice and outcomes across services.

We offer:

• A collaborative and supportive working culture
• Opportunities to work on high-impact, system-wide projects
• Professional development through learning, project exposure and strategic work
• The chance to influence and shape services for the benefit of children and families

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Michael Crowe at michael.crowe@southwark.gov.uk.

Additional Information:

• Hours of work, 36 hours per week Monday - Friday
• X 1 Position
• Fixed Term Contract for 2 years

This post requires a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at Enhanced – Children’s (Barred) Level.

Benefits and more information:

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment Timeline:

Advert close date: 11:59pm on Friday 24th July 2026.

Shortlisting date: to be confirmed.

Interview date: to be confirmed.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

About Southwark:

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Attachments

• Job Description and Person Specification - Service Development Officer