BE AN EXCEPTIONAL LEADER WITH US.
Explore our current vacancies in our senior leadership team and discover how you can drive change and ambition.
Our Vacancies
Shaping our future together
To apply to join us and make a real difference as a senior leader to the lives of children, young people and families across Dudley borough at this exciting time, simply complete an online application form through our jobs portal.
The current senior leadership roles available are listed below, along with their closing dates. Click on ‘Apply now’ to complete an online application form for the position.
Service Manager - Assessment Service
£60,913 to £64,869 - salary subject to experience | Permanent (full time) | Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley | Closes: Monday 6 July 2026
Ready to lead and shape practice at the front door of children’s services?
We’re looking for an experienced, strategic and passionate Service Manager to lead our Assessment Service at Dudley Children’s Services. This is a pivotal leadership role where you will oversee multiple teams at the front door, ensuring consistency, quality of practice, and strong decision-making for children and families at the earliest point of contact. You will play a key role in setting the direction of the service, driving improvement, and ensuring children receive the right help at the right time.
Reporting to the Principal Service Lead, you will work as part of a strong leadership team to support delivery, manage demand and embed high-quality, child-centred practice across all assessment teams.
If you are a confident leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to making a meaningful difference—this could be the role for you.
As Service Manager, you will:
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Provide leadership and oversight to Team Managers across the Assessment Service.
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Work closely with the Service Managers and Principal Service Leads in Family Help to manage demand across areas.
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Drive consistency of practice, performance, and decision-making across all teams.
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Ensure the delivery of timely, high-quality assessments that are analytical and outcome-focused.
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Maintain oversight of risk, thresholds and safeguarding decisions at the front door.
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Lead on service development and continuous improvement, embedding best practice across teams.
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Manage service demand and performance, ensuring resources are used effectively.
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Support and develop Team Managers to deliver strong leadership and high standards of practice.
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Work closely with partners to ensure a coordinated, multi-agency approach.
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Contribute to strategic planning and service direction alongside the Principal Service Lead.
About you - You’re someone who:
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Is a qualified and highly experienced social worker, with substantial leadership experience in management in children’s services.
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Has a strong understanding of front door services, thresholds, and assessment practice.
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Brings experience of leading managers and driving service-wide improvements.
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Is confident making complex decisions in high-pressure environments.
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Has a track record of improving performance, quality and outcomes for children.
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Is a strong communicator, able to influence, challenge and support at all levels.
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Is committed to delivering consistent, high-quality, child-centred practice across services
This is your opportunity to lead at scale—shaping how Dudley responds to children and families at first contact, driving consistent, high-quality practice, and ensuring the right decisions are made at the right time.
If you’re ready to lead with impact, influence practice at scale, and drive meaningful change—we’d love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion about the role please contact one of the Principal Service Leads:
Karen Johnson, Karen.Johnson@dudley.gov.uk or Donessa Gray Donessa.gray@dudley.gov.uk