Service Manager - Safeguarding Adolescent Service

Overview

Priority Candidates will be considered in the first instance

Location: Wigan Life Centre South, College Avenue, Wigan, WN1 1NJ

Salary: Grade 14, £61,706 - £66,043 per annum.

Hours: 37 hours per week

We are on a journey to build a workforce reflective of our Borough. We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong.

If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you!

• As the Service Manager, you will be responsible for the overall operational delivery and quality of the REACH Safeguarding Adolescent Service and the distinct teams that sit within this structure, aligning Youth Justice, Complex Safeguarding, Youth & Community & Adolescent Edge of Care under a unified service delivery model.
• Foster collaborative working relationships with partners and between teams to make the best use of resources, skills and knowledge, delivering a seamless and joined-up offer for vulnerable adolescents and families who need support.

• Demonstrable management and leadership experience in services that have delivered positive outcomes for vulnerable adolescent children.
• Ambitious for yourself, the services, and most importantly, for children, young people and their families.
• Driven to help practice across multi-agency partnerships develop and improve to meet complex and changing challenges facing vulnerable adolescents.
• Outward-facing with the ability to embed research, local and national learning, and best practice aligned to relevant inspection frameworks.
• Willing to showcase and lead development of innovative practice and partnership working across Wigan.

Wigan Council has been voted ‘Overall Council of the Year’ at the APSE Awards. We are signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment, ensuring continuity between supporting organisations.

The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough. It emphasises collaboration to deliver on two place missions: create fair opportunities for all children, families, residents and businesses and make our towns and neighbourhoods flourish.

‘REACH’ is part of Children Services. It aims to improve the lives of children and their families, particularly where there is harm outside the home, risk of/offending behaviour and risk of entering the care system. The service is just over two years old and offers the opportunity to shape and develop best possible practice within Wigan’s vulnerable adolescent population.

We support flexible working where the service can accommodate it and take a blended approach to where we work (home, office, or community).

To apply, you must prove your right to work in the UK. At present we are not a licensed sponsor. See  for details on proving right to work.

If you would like an informal discussion, please email Mike Blower, REACH Service Lead:

Priority Candidates Interview date: Week Commencing Monday 23 February 2026

Interview date: Tuesday 27 February 2026

This is a politically restricted role

This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures plus child and adult barred list checks

The employer is committed to safeguarding

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

Supporting documents: Privacy Notice, DBS Applicant Information, Job Specification (available via links).