Service Manager - Children's Workforce Academy

Job introduction

Job title: Service Manager - Children's Workforce Academy

A bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. 

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

Our Practice Model – “Our City, Our Children, Together” – was chosen by colleagues, parents and carers, children, and young people to reflect our collective commitment to working collaboratively, it is more than just a practice model, it is a shared vision. Every part of this model has been co-produced with the people who access and deliver our services. It represents our values, our relationships, and our belief that, by working together, we can create the best outcomes for children, young people, and their networks. This is a model we can be proud of and one that truly belongs to all of us.

Join a service that's really making a difference. Liverpool Children's Services is proud to be rated "Good" by Ofsted, with inspectors recognising the positive impact of our work for children, young people and families across the city. 

Liverpool City Council Children and Young People's Services has recently undergone its Ofsted ILACS inspection, achieving a positive outcome across all four judgement areas (three judgement areas securing a ‘Good’ outcome), with inspectors praising stronger social work practice, a more stable workforce, and improved outcomes for children, young people and their networks. The Ofsted report specifically highlighted "improvements to Liverpool's social work workforce, with the council moving from relying predominantly on temporary staff to employing a majority permanent workforce. Reduced workloads have enabled practitioners to develop more meaningful relationships with children and families, while social workers told inspectors they felt well supported and appropriately challenged by managers, with morale described as high."

Jenny Glennard, Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services, said the inspection reflected both the commitment of the workforce and a renewed focus on children and young people's experiences. "I am very proud of our workforce, our schools, and our partners who work tirelessly to support the children of the city. There is always more to do, and we will continue to build on this progress."

The full report can be viewed here: Ofsted Report

This achievement reflects the dedication, passion and expertise of our workforce, and our commitment to delivering high-quality services that help children thrive. If you're looking to build your career in a supportive and ambitious organisation who are striving for excellence, we'd love to hear from you!

The role:

This newly established post reflects Children and Young People’s Services’ ongoing commitment and investment in strengthening practice across the directorate. The role will support the delivery of purposeful, meaningful, child-centred outcomes for children, young people, and their networks by helping to build and develop a sustainable and highly skilled workforce. It presents an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious and forward-thinking portfolio that is dedicated to ensuring colleagues have the knowledge, skills, and experience required to drive and sustain positive change.

The successful postholder will work collaboratively with services across the directorate, adopting a supportive and practice focused approach as part of the Children’s Workforce Development and Learning Management Team. 

Key responsibilities include:

• The Service Manager will provide strong and visible leadership within Children and Young People’s service, particularly within the Children’s Workforce Academy, and taking accountability for the effective operation of the service
• As Service Manager you will lead and strategically oversee the development, implementation, and review of the Children and Young People’s Services Training Needs Analysis, alongside the associated Strategic Training, Learning and Development Plan
• The role will support the Head of Service and Director in the overall leadership of the Portfolio, contributing to the pursuit of excellence through the delivery of priorities outlined within the Children’s Workforce Academy Operating Model
• The Service Manager will oversee the implementation, delivery and ongoing review of the Children’s Workforce Strategy, taking responsibility for all workforce related priorities
• The role will oversee the design, development and delivery of new workforce development initiatives across the Directorate, providing leadership and support for practice improvement and professional development
• This exciting opportunity forms a key part of our ongoing improvement journey, supporting the development of strengths based, relational, and collaborative practice with children, young people, their networks, while investing in the continued growth and development of our workforce.

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Application to the Disclosure and Barring Service and up to date registration with Social Work England as a qualified Social Worker.

Our offer to you:

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes 
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave  
• Discounted Gym Memberships 
• Employee Volunteering Scheme 
• Medicash 

Next steps:

Closing date: midnight on Monday 31 August 2026
Shortlisting date: W/C Monday 31 August 2026
Interview date: Tuesday 22 September 2026
Interview type: face-to-face; there will be a presentation to prepare and submit in advance. The interview process will consist of multiple assessments, including two written exercises and a formal interview. 

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

If you would like any further information or an informal discuss