Operations Manager for Quality Practice and Safeguarding Team

Responsibilities

The Operations Manager will lead the Quality Practice and Safeguarding Team to enhance practice standards within Adult Social Care. Responsibilities include overseeing audits, managing change, and acting as a link worker to ensure continuity in safeguarding duties.

Requirements

Candidates must be registered social workers with Social Work England and possess extensive experience in team management and safeguarding. A proven track record in operational leadership, policy development, and the ability to work collaboratively with partners is essential.

Skills

• Social work management
• Safeguarding
• Quality assurance
• Operational management
• Change management
• Staff supervision
• Team leadership
• Policy development
• Audit reporting
• Public speaking
• Partnership working
• Adult social care
• Anti-discriminatory practice
• Legislation application

Benefits

• Flexible working
• Home working options

About this role

Are you a social work manager ready for an exciting next step in your career? Do
you have extensive operational experience, understanding and empathy; knowledge
of quality in practice, including best practice when safeguarding people who are
experiencing abuse and neglect? Are you interested in working with partners
locally and nationally to develop and improve practice in beautiful East Sussex?
Then this role is what you are looking for. 

We are looking to recruit a dedicated and experienced leader into the role of
Operations Manager for the the Quality Practice and Safeguarding Team, with a
focus on supporting our colleagues to develop and enhance their practice within
Adult Social Care and across East Sussex. This permanent role is for a
registered social worker with a proven record of being able to work in
partnership with colleagues and partners to oversee complicated and difficult
stories, support and manage change, and for someone who is confident in
presenting, embedding learning and advising on safeguarding enquiries. 

The role is multi-dimensional, leading a team of committed practitioners, acting
as a link worker for operational teams, and ensuring continuity in regard to as
a MARAC duties.  There will also be a requirement to undertake, oversee and
report on audits and to be involved in other quality assurance work to ensure
learning themes are identified. This will include working with colleagues in
other divisions to update policy and guidance to support our staff and
partners. 

You need to be a confident presenter, and able to adapt what you are presenting
and to whom. This role is based in County Hall, Lewes, covers the whole county
and we provide the IT that enables you to work from home on some days too. 

For this role we are looking for candidates who:

* are registered as a social worker with Social Work England
* experience of management of teams including staff supervision and management,
team motivation and team building
* have knowledge of the relevant legislation and able to apply in practice
* experienced in the management of change
* committed to equal opportunities and ethical, anti-discriminatory practice. 
 

We warmly welcome applications from all sections of our community. 
We are working towards recruiting a workforce that reflects our community,
because we recognise the value of diverse perspective and experiences.

Please download the Job Description and Person Specification
[https://fa-euru-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/cs/groups/public/documents/document/ytex/mzkw/~edisp/ucmfa11390651.docx]
for more information.

To apply for this role, please follow the ‘Apply Now’ button above and upload
your CV and a Supporting Statement. We will be using your Supporting Statement
to shortlist so please be sure to address how you meet all the criteria in the
person specification, drawing on any relevant work/life experience, education,
or personal interests.

For guidance on how to write an application see our how to apply page
[https://fa-euru-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/External/pages/10005] and
our statement on the use of AI
[https://fa-euru-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/External/pages/23001].

Interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams unless you request an in-person
interview. The interviews will take place wc 30 November 2026. 

Candidates who meet certain criteria are given priority when we shortlist. See
our priority status page
[https://fa-euru-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/External/pages/10009]
for details.  
 
Details about building accessibility for County Hall, St Mary’s House and
Cavendish House are available on our website:
 
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/contactus/visit-council-buildings/county-hall
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/contactus/visit-council-buildings/st-marys-house
https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/contactus/visit-council-buildings/cavendish-house
 
If you have any questions about the building accessibility for the building this
role is based in, please contact the hiring manager.
  

The Operations Manager for the Quality, Practice and Safeguarding Team is a new
role; leading a team of experienced practitioners to support and enhance the
quality of practice of ASCH in East Sussex.  This is a unique and exciting
position which embodies the fundamentals of good social work practice as well as
informing our key strategic objectives.  

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your
employment. More information can be found on our benefits page.

If you are interested and would like more information, please email Sharon
Leaver, Head of Service for Quality, Practice and Safeguarding and Principal
Social Worker, sharon.leaver@eastsussex.gov.uk [sharon.leaver@eastsussex.gov.uk]
for an informal discussion about this opportunity.

For a team that supports you, choose East Sussex! 

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated
Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records
Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please
go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record
[https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record]. Please note that we
require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or
term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know
this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the
role. For further information please go
to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas
[https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas]

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to
participate fully in the process p...

About East Sussex County Council

Government Administration · 10,001+ employees · headquartered in Lewes, East Sussex · founded 1889