We are looking for an experienced Service Manager to lead and oversee Preparation for Adulthood services and pathways across York. Based in the SEND Hub, this senior role sits at the centre of a newly developed, multi-agency delivery model and provides operational and strategic leadership across children’s services, adult social care, health, education and employment.
The postholder will be responsible for coordinating and strengthening how preparation for adulthood is delivered across the system, ensuring clarity, consistency and continuity for young people and families. You will oversee integrated services including social work, learning and employment, transitional health and brokerage, with a strong focus on safe, timely and well-managed transitions between children’s and adult services.
A core element of the role is providing oversight of complex practice and operational risk at the children’s–adult boundary. You will support high-quality decision-making, ensure statutory duties and safeguarding responsibilities are met, and embed agreed pathways and protocols, including transitional safeguarding arrangements.
Working closely with senior leaders and partners across SEND, children’s services, adult social care and the wider system, you will translate strategic priorities into effective operational delivery. This includes embedding the Preparation for Adulthood Guide, improving performance and quality assurance, developing workforce capability, and ensuring preparation for adulthood is embedded early through EHCP planning and annual reviews.
The role has a strong commitment to co-production and inclusion. You will ensure that lived experience meaningfully informs service delivery and development, and that outcomes focus on education, employment, independence, health and community inclusion.
This is a high-impact role for an experienced Service Manager who can bring grip to complex systems, lead across organisational boundaries, and drive sustained improvement for young people with SEND.
Due to the nature of the role, candidate must have a relevant professional qualification in Social Work: Social Work Degree, CQSW, CSS, DipSW or equivalent and be GSCC (General Social Care Council) registered.
As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.
Hybrid working arrangements are available for this role. Each role at CYC is different and your working arrangements will be determined based on the requirements of the role and in collaboration with you and your needs as part of the recruitment process. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team.
City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.
The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings.
Please note, we do not have a sponsorship licence to sponsor individuals for visas to work in the UK, therefore we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
For further information or an informal discussion please contact Anna Ikwue anna.ikwue@york.gov.uk or Karoline Silcock Karoline.Silcock@york.gov.uk
To apply for this role please visit https://jobs.york.gov.uk/
Closing date: 8 March 2026 at 12 midnight
Interview date: Week commencing 16 March 2026