Job Introduction
Service Manager - Care Leavers
Salary: Grade Special C, £59,866 - £63,789, 37 hours per week, Based in Bradford
Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
About the Role
Bradford’s Care Leavers Service is on a journey of transformation – and it’s getting noticed. In our most recent Ofsted monitoring visit (July 2025), inspectors highlighted the positive impact of our stable and dedicated team of Personal Advisers, the strength of our asset-based approach, and the clear improvements in leadership, planning, and support for care leavers.
Inspectors found that care leavers are now benefiting from trusted, consistent relationships, and that our PAs are highly attuned to the emotional and practical needs of young people. They praised the strong partnership working, the growing local offer, and the culture shift that’s making Bradford a place where staff feel supported and excited for the future.
This is a pivotal moment to continue that progress and shape the next phase of development. Following the promotion of the current post holder, we are seeking an experienced and visionary leader to take the reins and drive forward our ambition for excellence.
You’ll also;
As Service Manager for Care Leavers, you will:
- Lead and manage teams to deliver high-quality, timely, and care leaver-focused assessments, plans, interventions, and reviews.
- Champion the voice and participation of care experienced young people, ensuring their views shape service delivery and decision-making.
- Lead using relational and restorative practice approaches, fostering trust, collaboration, and a culture of respect across the service.
- Coach and mentor front-line managers, promoting a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Build and sustain effective partnerships across statutory, voluntary, and community sectors to enhance the Bradford Care Leaver Offer.
- Provide out-of-hours management support as part of a rota.
- Support recruitment and workforce development to ensure a skilled and motivated team.
- Work closely with your Head of Service to manage budgets effectively and deliver value for money.
- Drive performance improvement to meet and exceed local and national targets.
To be successful in this role you will need;
You’ll be a qualified Social Worker with recent and relevant experience in leaving care services, and a strong track record of delivering positive outcomes for care experienced young people. You’ll bring:
- A deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing care leavers, and a commitment to supporting their transition to adulthood.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire, support and develop teams.
- A courageous and compassionate approach to leadership, putting the voice and needs of care experienced young people at the heart of every decision.
- A readiness to embrace change, tackle complexity, and drive continuous improvement.
- A collaborative mindset, working effectively with partners to strengthen the local offer and improve outcomes.
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Retention Payment: You will be eligible for our annual retention payment, paid in 12 monthly instalments. This is non contractual (reviewed annually)
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 31 days rising to 34 with service (plus bank holidays)
- Excellent local Government pension
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts, including cost of living support
- Professional development/support and opportunities career progression
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact: Lucy Kavanagh lucy.kavanagh@bradfordcft.org.uk
Closing Date: 21st September
