Careers

Senior Service Manager – Residential Children’s Services

Strategic Leadership. Compassionate Practice. Lasting Impact.

Please note that we are currently unable to offer visa sponsorship and therefore cannot accept applications that require sponsorship now or in the future.

We are seeking an experienced and values-driven Senior Service Manager to provide strong operational and strategic leadership across our residential children’s homes in Edinburgh and the Lothians. This is a key senior role supporting Registered Managers and Assistant Managers to deliver consistent, high-quality, trauma-informed care and achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Reporting directly to the Head of Care, you will play a central role in shaping service delivery, strengthening leadership practice, and ensuring safe, nurturing, and child-centred environments across all homes.

The Role

The Senior Service Manager provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, service development, supervision, and referrals management across Horizons’ seven residential children’s homes. You will ensure services operate in line with the Health and Social Care Standards (2018), Children’s Homes (Scotland) Regulations 2013, GIRFEC, and The Promise, while promoting a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional oversight to Registered Managers and Assistant Managers
• Ensure consistent delivery of Horizons’ vision, values, and care ethos across all homes
• Lead service development with a strong focus on trauma-informed and attachment-aware practice
• Ensure compliance with Care Inspectorate requirements, quality assurance frameworks, and improvement plans
• Lead safeguarding practice, oversee significant incidents, and manage statutory notifications
• Oversee referrals, placements, matching processes, and occupancy levels
• Maintain strong relationships with Local Authorities, regulators, and multi-agency partners
• Act as senior point of contact for serious incidents, crisis management, and risk oversight
• Produce reports and performance information for senior leadership and governance

About You

We are looking for a confident, compassionate leader with strong experience in residential child care and a clear commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Ideally, you will have:

• Significant experience in residential children’s services, preferably in Scotland
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection, and trauma-informed practice
• Proven leadership and management experience supporting senior teams
• Excellent communication, decision-making, and partnership-working skills

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion listed but who can demonstrate relevant transferable experience, leadership potential, and a genuine commitment to the role.

Qualifications

• SVQ Level 4 Children and Young People
• SCQF Level 10 Leadership and Management qualification (CSLM) and/or degree in Social Work
• Substantial experience in residential child care, including management-level responsibility
• Full UK driving licence

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: £50,000 – £55,000 (including PRP bonus of up to £5,000)
• Mileage allowance for inter-site travel
• Employer pension contribution
• Professional CPD and leadership development
• Enhanced sick pay and annual leave following probation
• Performance-related annual bonus

Reporting

• Reports to the Head of Care and Horizons Board of Directors
• Line management responsibility for six Registered Managers

We welcome applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion listed but who can demonstrate strong leadership potential, relevant transferable experience, and a clear commitment to Horizons’ values and to improving the lives of children and young people.