East Sussex County Council

Practice Manager - Changing Future Sussex

The closing date is 12 October 2025

Job summary

Ready to Lead Change and Empower Lives? We're looking for a passionate and inspiring Practice Manager (Social Worker) to join the Changing Futures Sussex Programme at East Sussex County Council. This is a part-time (18.5 hours/week), fixed-term 12-month opportunity, ideal for someone who wants to shape innovative practice while maintaining a work-life balance. This role could be offered on a secondment basis, please check with your line manager before applying.

This role offers the chance to be part of something truly meaningful: transforming how services work for people with multiple and complex needs. You'll lead a multidisciplinary team including unique peer navigators who have lived experience, that is creative, resilient, and committed to supporting some of the most marginalised individuals in our communities.

This isn't your typical social work management job. Changing Future Sussex is one of only 15 trailblazing national programmes, backed by government national lottery funding, designed to change how services are delivered to people experiencing:

  • Homelessness
  • Substance misuse
  • Mental ill-health
  • Domestic abuse
  • Contact with the criminal justice system

Main duties of the job

The role will include the below day to day duties:

  • Lead and inspire a dedicated multi-agency team
  • Champion trauma-informed and relational practice
  • Shape and deliver high-quality support for people with multiple compound needs (MCN)
  • Collaborate across health, housing, justice, mental health and social care sectors
  • Drive service improvement, innovation, and performance across East Sussex
  • Manage resources, support development, and embed reflective supervision

You'll be based in St Marys House, Eastbourne, with flexible hybrid working options that include time at home and in the community.

We're seeking a confident leader with a strong professional background in social work and mental health. You'll bring:

  • Relevant professional and/or management qualification.
  • Working collectively with colleagues, both internal and external.
  • Leadership and motivation.
  • Safeguarding Adults at Risk procedures.
  • Change orientated approach to work.

Experience managing a multidisciplinary team is desirable, but if you've worked closely with other agencies to improve outcomes, we want to hear from you.

To apply click on supporting link Apply for this vacancy via ESCC website. Upload your CV explaining how meet the job specification criteria.

About us

The closing date for applications is Sunday 12 October and interviews will take place week commencing Monday 20 October via Microsoft Teams unless you request an in-person interview. If you are unavailable to attend the allocated interview date/time, let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date/time for you.

You'll help create a system where difficult to reach people no longer fall through systematic gaps. Where trauma-informed, person-centred care isn't the exception, its the norm.

There are many rewards working for East Sussex County Council, some of these include

  • Generous pension scheme
  • Hybrid working
  • Access to training
  • Lease car scheme (subject to qualifying criteria)
  • Access to our extensive well-being and wellness training.
  • Annual registration fee with Social Work England will be reimbursed.

Most importantly, you'll join a team that supports each other, one that truly believes in doing things differently for the people who need it most.

Leading this very determined, supportive, and dynamic multi-disciplinary team has provided unique learning opportunities. The team has a strong ethos of trauma-informed care and relationship-based practice. They find creative ways to support individuals to make meaningful and positive changes to their lives. I have found working with this team inspiring and rewarding. Hannah Lexton, Current Practice Manager (on Maternity Leave)

Details

Date posted

29 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£52,243 to £56,737 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

F0026-25-0019

Job locations

East Sussex County Council

52 St. Leonards Road

Eastbourne

East Sussex

BN21 3UU


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Ensure decision making in services to adults is in accordance with statutory requirements, County Council policies, procedures, and quality standards.

2. Ensure local inter-agency partnerships facilitate the implementation of person-centred support plans and care related decisions.

3. Ensure that social care pathway is fully implemented throughout the service and that customer care systems are in place and monitored.

4. Undertake continuous service improvement, utilising Best Value principles and ensuring that the Investors in People standards are maintained and developed throughout the service managed.

5. Recruit, induct and manage appropriately qualified staff to provide effective and efficient services, identifying development needs and performance issues and acting accordingly.

6. Achieve personal Appraisal/Performance Development Scheme (PDS) targets and ensure that the PDS competency frameworks are fully implemented throughout the service managed, ensuring that annual performance targets are met.

7. Undertake the role of QCF/NVQ Assessor or Internal verifier as required to ensure that targets for QCF/NVQ qualifications are achieved.

8. Allocate resources within the designated service area as specified within the scheme of delegation and to monitor expenditure to ensure it is in accordance with the allocated budget for the service area.

9. Take overall responsibility for the Health and Safety of staff and ensure the safe and efficient management of buildings within the specific service area in accordance with statutory and departmental requirements.

10. Ensure the appropriate recording of work, the effective maintenance of case records and effective management of manual and computerised information, within the requirements of departmental policy and procedures and the statutory framework.

11. Administer the Complaints procedures within Departmental guidelines including complaints investigations to establish what remedial action if any is necessary.

12. Brief the Operations Manager and senior managers, as required, on problems needing resolution and highlight service achievements.

13. Take responsibility as delegated in relation to contractual arrangements with providers of service.

14. Assist as required in implementing the Departments Emergency Plan in the event of a major incident and to provide managerial support to Departmental out-of-hours services which will include responding and providing a home telephone number.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Ensure decision making in services to adults is in accordance with statutory requirements, County Council policies, procedures, and quality standards.

2. Ensure local inter-agency partnerships facilitate the implementation of person-centred support plans and care related decisions.

3. Ensure that social care pathway is fully implemented throughout the service and that customer care systems are in place and monitored.

4. Undertake continuous service improvement, utilising Best Value principles and ensuring that the Investors in People standards are maintained and developed throughout the service managed.

5. Recruit, induct and manage appropriately qualified staff to provide effective and efficient services, identifying development needs and performance issues and acting accordingly.

6. Achieve personal Appraisal/Performance Development Scheme (PDS) targets and ensure that the PDS competency frameworks are fully implemented throughout the service managed, ensuring that annual performance targets are met.

7. Undertake the role of QCF/NVQ Assessor or Internal verifier as required to ensure that targets for QCF/NVQ qualifications are achieved.

8. Allocate resources within the designated service area as specified within the scheme of delegation and to monitor expenditure to ensure it is in accordance with the allocated budget for the service area.

9. Take overall responsibility for the Health and Safety of staff and ensure the safe and efficient management of buildings within the specific service area in accordance with statutory and departmental requirements.

10. Ensure the appropriate recording of work, the effective maintenance of case records and effective management of manual and computerised information, within the requirements of departmental policy and procedures and the statutory framework.

11. Administer the Complaints procedures within Departmental guidelines including complaints investigations to establish what remedial action if any is necessary.

12. Brief the Operations Manager and senior managers, as required, on problems needing resolution and highlight service achievements.

13. Take responsibility as delegated in relation to contractual arrangements with providers of service.

14. Assist as required in implementing the Departments Emergency Plan in the event of a major incident and to provide managerial support to Departmental out-of-hours services which will include responding and providing a home telephone number.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant professional and/or management qualification.

Desirable

  • Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualified.

Experience

Essential

  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Working collectively with colleagues, both internal and external.
  • Negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Practical problem solving skills.
  • Leadership and motivation.
  • Budget management.
  • Performance management.
  • Understanding of health and social care legislation.
  • Safeguarding Adults at Risk procedures.
  • Experience of supervising Adult Social Care professionals or the potential to do so, for example development work in a health or social care setting.
  • Management of change.
  • A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
  • Self-motivated approach to work.
  • Change orientated approach to work.
  • The ability to work well in a team.
  • Ability to make decisions when dealing with often constant and conflicting demands on time.
  • Ability to meet the travelling requirements of the post.

Desirable

  • Identify local need and monitor the quality of local service provision
  • Translate local and national policy into practice.
  • Implement new service initiatives.
  • Chair meetings.
  • Degree and/or management qualification.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant professional and/or management qualification.

Desirable

  • Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) qualified.

Experience

Essential

  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Working collectively with colleagues, both internal and external.
  • Negotiation and influencing skills.
  • Practical problem solving skills.
  • Leadership and motivation.
  • Budget management.
  • Performance management.
  • Understanding of health and social care legislation.
  • Safeguarding Adults at Risk procedures.
  • Experience of supervising Adult Social Care professionals or the potential to do so, for example development work in a health or social care setting.
  • Management of change.
  • A commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
  • Self-motivated approach to work.
  • Change orientated approach to work.
  • The ability to work well in a team.
  • Ability to make decisions when dealing with often constant and conflicting demands on time.
  • Ability to meet the travelling requirements of the post.

Desirable

  • Identify local need and monitor the quality of local service provision
  • Translate local and national policy into practice.
  • Implement new service initiatives.
  • Chair meetings.
  • Degree and/or management qualification.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex County Council

Address

East Sussex County Council

52 St. Leonards Road

Eastbourne

East Sussex

BN21 3UU


Employer's website

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

East Sussex County Council

Address

East Sussex County Council

52 St. Leonards Road

Eastbourne

East Sussex

BN21 3UU


Employer's website

https://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Deputy Programme Manager

Lyndsey Lloyd-Strutt

lyndsey.lloyd-strutt@westsussex.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

29 September 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£52,243 to £56,737 a year pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Part-time, Home or remote working

Reference number

F0026-25-0019

Job locations

East Sussex County Council

52 St. Leonards Road

Eastbourne

East Sussex

BN21 3UU


Privacy notice

East Sussex County Council's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)