Deputy Service Manager - First Assessment Service - #1701227

Job Advert: Deputy Service Manager - First Assessment Service (including Edge of Care and Harm Outside the Home)

Location: Bridewell Police Station

Salary: TP1

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

The First Assessment Service is Bristol’s single point of access to Children’s Services, playing a critical role in safeguarding and supporting children and families across the city. Our aim is to ensure that children and young people receive the best care and support when they need it most. We are looking for a Deputy Service Manager to work alongside our Service Manager to provide leadership and operational support in delivering high-quality services to children and families.

Role Overview:

As the Deputy Service Manager for the First Assessment Service, you will support the Service Manager in the operational delivery of services within the Front Door, Edge of Care, and Harm Outside the Home teams. You will work closely with a dedicated team of professionals, ensuring that services are responsive and tailored to the needs of children and families, with a strong emphasis on early intervention, prevention, and safeguarding.

In this role, you will contribute to the smooth day-to-day management of the service, support staff development, and help drive continuous improvement, leading QA activity to ensure that services are delivered effectively and in line with statutory requirements. You will also be involved in ensuring that the service meets performance targets and supports the overall development of the service as it continues to expand.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Service Manager in leading and managing the operational delivery of the First Assessment Service, ensuring effective and timely interventions for children and families.

• Assist in the day-to-day management of staff and resources, ensuring services are provided in line with statutory guidance, safeguarding protocols, and best practice standards.

• Help ensure a responsive service for children and families, supporting the team in assessing risks and identifying appropriate interventions.

• Work closely with multi-disciplinary teams, including social workers, healthcare professionals, schools, and external partners, to ensure a coordinated, holistic approach to safeguarding and support.

• Contribute to monitoring and reviewing service performance, analysing key performance indicators to support continuous improvement.

• Provide support and guidance to team members, helping to foster a positive and high-performing culture that encourages professional development.

• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures, and statutory requirements, particularly related to safeguarding and child protection.

• Support the Service Manager in reporting on service performance, risks, challenges, and opportunities for improvement.

What We’re Looking For:

• A qualified social worker with experience in statutory assessment in children’s social care, and a desire to take on a leadership role.

• Knowledge of safeguarding procedures, statutory frameworks, and best practices within the Front Door and Edge of Care and Harm Outside the Home services.

• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and support a team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• A collaborative mindset and experience in working with multi-agency teams in children’s services.

• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging with children, families, and professionals at all levels.

• Ability to contribute to performance analysis and implement service improvements.

• Experience in managing complex cases and supporting decision-making under pressure.

Why Join Us?

Competitive salary and benefits package. The opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of children and families. Access to professional development and training opportunities. A supportive, collaborative work environment where your ideas and innovation are valued. Explore more about our benefits on our social work microsite here.

This is a fantastic opportunity to help shape and deliver a crucial service within Children’s Services.

If you are passionate about safeguarding children and families and are ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you!

Note:  As the teams are currently located in Bridewell Police Station, any offer of employment will be subject to the applicant successfully completing level 2 police vetting.

Application:

It is Bristol City Council’s practice to request references for candidates that have been offered a job. However, if you are applying for a job that requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check then we will request your references once you have been invited to an interview.

We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.

Contact Us:

For more information or to discuss opportunities, contact: ***************@bristol.gov.uk

At Bristol City Council, we value having a workforce as diverse as the city we serve. We therefore welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Young people, Black and racially minoritised, Disabled, LGBTQ+ and Male candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.