Service Manager – Fieldwork Services, Children, Families and Justice Service, 2 High Street, Perth

Main Purpose of the Role

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job, it's about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of all we do and provides opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch.

Our Children, Families and Justice Service currently has the following opportunity:

Service Manager, Fieldwork Services - PKC13686
£73,598 - £79,286
Children, Families and Justice Service, 2 High Street, Perth

Shape lives, build futures—join the Children, Families and Justice Service at Perth and Kinross Council.

Working within Perth & Kinross Council is more than a job; it’s about being part of an organisation that puts people at the heart of everything we do. We provide opportunities to make a real difference by enhancing every life we touch. Guided by the values of compassion, integrity and ambition, our teams make a meaningful impact every day.

Whether you're supporting children, families, or adults, you'll be part of a service that puts people first, champions rights‑based and person‑centred practice, and values relationship‑based approaches to change lives.

We offer a collaborative, inclusive environment where your voice matters, your wellbeing is supported, and your professional growth is nurtured. Be part of a council that recognises the life‑changing impact of a service that invests in early intervention, innovation and frontline excellence.

We are seeking an experienced, skilled and passionate childcare Service Manager who promotes the values of compassion and integrity. These values should shape the way you work when developing and delivering quality public services that supports our ethos of early help/ intervention as well as when working in partnership with individuals, families and communities.

Please be advised that it is anticipated that interviews will be held on 19 or 20 May 2026.

Please note, we are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this post.

Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Skills & Experience Required

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of social work professionals to deliver high quality services to our community.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to improve service delivery and outcomes for service users.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Collaborate with partners, agencies and stakeholders to promote integrated working and best practice.
• Deliver high quality services through the development of leadership at all levels, with a strong focus on continuous improvement.
• Support the strategic development of services with key stakeholders through effective partnership working.
• Manage service resources, including staff and budgets, as delegated by the Strategic Lead.

Main Accountabilities

• To manage Children & Families’ Fieldwork Services effectively and efficiently.
• Lead and manage staff responsible for the delivery of the range of statutory services for children and families and other related functions as appropriate by developing an open, supportive and positive culture which promotes inclusion team working.
• Lead and promote the consistent implementation of key policies in Services for Children, Young People & Families and evaluate their impact and outcome on stakeholders.
• Lead, manage and improve performance in the delivery of Fieldwork Services and work where possible in an integrated way with key partners to build capacity with the service.
• To ensure staff have the appropriate levels of training and development opportunities to support the needs of front-line practice and services. Ensure there is a robust performance management in place.
• To manage budgets as devolved by the Strategic Lead, including the effective management of human resources within the fieldwork services.
• To support the development and maintenance of positive partnerships within the Council and with other key partner agencies.
• To promote systematic feedback from users of fieldwork services.
• To participate in related groups/bodies as agreed by the Strategic Lead.
• To support the preparation and interpretation of data to support long term planning of front-line childcare services.
• To provide Committee and other reports as required by the Strategic Lead.
• To ensure all administrative and financial procedures are followed as appropriate.

Skills & Experience Required

• Strong leadership and communication skills so you can take your teams with you in times of change.
• Ability to work in a demanding, fast paced environment where you can prioritise need, as well as make and support decision making is crucial.
• Degree in Social Work or equivalent Social Work qualification.
• Registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
• Experience in a management role within social work.
• You can commit to continuous improvement and professional development.
• A management qualification.
• Experience in writing Committee reports would be useful.
• You must have a valid UK driving licence as this post requires you to travel to a variety of locations across Perth and Kinross.

 

Working at Perth & Kinross Council

Our values and behaviours influence our work and support us in the delivery of our key priorities. In your application, and should you be invited to interview, you will be asked to describe situations that support the criteria required in the role and which also demonstrate our values and behaviours. Find out more about Perth & Kinross Council and you could soon be joining our team!

Here's what we can offer you:

• A generous annual leave package
• 6 days public holiday and an additional discretionary day
• Eligibility to join our pension scheme
• Family friendly and positive work/life balance policies such as Flexible Working, Maternity, Paternity & Adoption leave, time off for volunteering and our Wellbeing Framework
• Flexi time
• Access to a range of benefits
• Paid SSSC annual membership for relevant positions

We recognise there can be benefits to flexible working and where individual jobs allow, we seek to support this. You are encouraged to discuss potential options with the recruiting manager, if this is of interest to you. A healthy work life balance is important to us and we provide supportive management and, where possible, flexible working arrangements to help you achieve that balance. You will have access to training and support for continued professional development.

This role requires you to be registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)

Next Steps

We would love to hear from you and would encourage you to get in touch with Sharon Cooper, Senior Service Manager at SCooper@pkc.gov.uk to find out more.

Click “APPLY NOW”

External candidates are required to provide contact details for 2 referees, including email addresses. One of these must be your current or most recent employer.

We welcome applications from everyone and as a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee to interview applicants who declare a disability and meet the essential requirements of the post. Please contact the hiring manager above or the Recruitment Team on (01738) 475555 or recruitment@pkc.gov.uk to discuss any reasonable adjustments. Appointments are based on evidence supplied during the selection process.

Diversity is important to us and although some of our jobs may be perceived to be traditionally gender specific, we welcome applications from everyone and would encourage you to apply if you meet the job requirements. That includes welcoming applications from former armed forces personnel/reservists. Many of the skills picked up during your military career could be transferred directly into a role with local government.

Working with children and/or protected adults is regarded as a regulated role and under the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 you will be required to join the PVG Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update check.

If you have lived overseas for a period of 12 months or more (continuous or total) within the last 10 years, an Overseas Criminal Record Check will be required. You will be required to provide this check.

A confirmed offer of employment and commencement in the post will be subject to the outcome of the above mentioned mandatory pre-employment checks (including references) and will also include eligibility to work in the UK, qualifications and fitness to undertake the post.