Service Manager - Early Help and Partnerships (Family Intervention Team)
- Devon
- Full Time
- £63,225 per annum

About Us
Targeted Early Help work in Devon is striving to provide all children and families with support and help when they need it to enable them to make their best family outcomes and prevent the need for statutory services to engage. Through an exciting and ambitious improvement programme, we are embedding a restorative practice model that focuses on relational ways of working and harnessing strengths from within the immediate and wider family through a solution focussed lens.
We are proud of our workforce and recognise that they are committed to providing the best service possible. A strong learning and development culture is seen throughout the Early Help and Partnerships arena, including access to higher level modern day apprenticeships in management and leadership.
About the Role
Re-launched in September 2024, the multi-disciplinary Family Intervention Team works as a ‘family help’ service across Devon. A voluntary and consensual service from a strong family led aspect, FIT works within an assessment, plan, intervene and review cycle. Working alongside the Head of Service EH and P, the Service Manager will oversee continued service performance and development, providing leadership, direction, challenge and recognition across the 8 county teams, with 8 Team Managers as direct reports. Whilst the ability to be operational across all of Devon is a necessity, the position will be based in one of our 4 hub buildings.
As a direct EH and P link with our partners the ability to understand the needs of both the service and that of our wider statutory and community partners is crucial.
Visibility is key and therefore a minimum of 3 days per week office presence across the County is required.
About You
The Family Intervention Team is a fast paced, busy environment. Significant experience of team management is essential. The ability to adapt, be dynamic and respond to changeable demand is important. You will bring a strong commitment to inclusivity and a deep understanding of operational management within Local Authority Children’s Services or similar environments. You will confidently lead the delivery of effective family help practices aligned with our restorative approach, while driving continuous improvements and fostering positive change.
A key requirement for this role is the ability to demonstrate your strength as an inclusive manager who can influence and nurture robust internal and external relationships, particularly with multi-agency partnerships, to ensure effective communication and collaboration. You will possess creative and innovative operational and project management skills, along with decisive decision-making abilities, especially in safety planning, to mitigate risks and secure the best outcomes for children and young people.
If you are ready to take on a demanding senior manager position that offers you the opportunity to shape the future for the children, young people, families and their communities in Devon, we want to hear from you.
For an informal discussion or more information about the role, please contact:, Lise Bird, Head of Service – Early Help and Partnerships – via email: Lise.Bird@devon.gov.uk
Interviews will be in person Friday 28th February 2025 in Phoenix House, Phoenix Lane, Tiverton, EX16 6PP
A 10 minute presentation will be included – topic to be provide on the day with 30 minutes preparation time.
What’s in it for you?
In return for the vital contribution that you make, we have some fantastic employee benefits available, including:
- Generous annual leave
- Free onsite parking
- Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee well-being services
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
- We promote a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible working arrangements wherever possible, including working from home
- Discounts at over 900 national & local high street retailers through our benefits platform
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
Additional Information
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working -The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
- We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
- Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
REQ007439
Interview Date: 28/02/25
Click here to see the Job Description