Service Manager - Practice Development with Principal Social Worker Responsibilities

Shape the Future of Children's Social Work Practice in an authority with big ambitions

Are you passionate about transforming children's social work? Do you have the vision to lead practice excellence and the ability to inspire others? We're looking for an exceptional social work leader to join our Children's Services as our new Service Manager for Practice and Development.

Your Impact

In this pivotal role, you will be the driving force behind developing outstanding social work practice across our Children's Services. You'll lead our practice innovation agenda, embed our values and framework, and ensure children and families remain at the heart of everything we do.

As a key member of our team, you will:

• Set the direction for exceptional practice development across all our teams
• Lead our Academy, overseeing learning and development, early careers programmes, and newly qualified pathways while also considering how we broaden out the offer to the wider service.
• Champion relationship-based practice, systemic approaches, and solution-focused interventions.
• Work with the DfE and national bodies to bring cutting-edge innovation to our service.
• Act as the critical friend and challenge voice within our leadership team.
• Build ways of working and partnerships that place us at the forefront of best practice nationally.

About You

You're a highly skilled and experienced social work professional who knows what good looks like, leads by example and inspires excellence. You'll bring:

• Social work qualification with SWE registration and extensive post-qualification experience
• Advanced understanding of relationship-based practice, systemic approaches, and the Family Safeguarding model
• Proven experience in developing and implementing quality frameworks
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence at all levels
• Exceptional communication abilities - from one-to-one coaching to presenting to large groups
• Experience in designing and delivering impactful training and workshops
• A collaborative approach to working with internal and external partners
• The ability to thrive in an environment of transformation and change

Practice Educator or Assessor accreditation would be advantageous.

Candidates must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act - for the effective performance of a customer-facing role).

Join Us

We're committed to providing outstanding services for children, young people, and families. This role offers the chance to shape practice at a strategic level, driving meaningful improvement in outcomes for our most vulnerable children and young people.

Working in an environment of innovation and transformation, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on our service and the lives of the children and families we support.

You will join at an exciting time. Swindon Borough Council is on an exciting journey to transform service delivery and have been shortlisted for the 'Most Improved Council' at the Local Government Awards (LGA). We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that's who we're doing it for - the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you'll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It's all for better public services. Better processes. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details

Ready to lead the way in social work excellence and contribute to our plans? Apply now to join our team and help us build a brighter future for children and young people.

Your next package

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

Your next steps

To be eligible for this role, you must be a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion .

Read the role profile and select the Apply button where you will be redirected to the Swindon Borough Council website to complete our online application process. Clicking the 'Apply' button on this job website is not an application, you must register on the Swindon Borough Council website in order to be considered for the role.

A satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this role.

For a confidential conversation about this post please contact Nicola Hannaford, Head of Service Practice, Development and Quality Assurance via email on

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application please email

Closing date: 18 May 2025