Assistant Team Manager (Children in Care)

Hampshire County Council; Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking an experienced Assistant Team Manager for their Children in Care Team. In this role, you will work directly with children in care, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and supporting team efforts in care planning and assessments. The ideal candidate is a qualified Social Worker with significant experience in Children's Services and excellent communication and organizational skills. The position offers generous leave, training opportunities, and relocation assistance.

Benefits

£8,500 relocation assistance

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Significant frontline statutory social work experience, especially in Children's Services.
• Ability to mentor and supervise staff effectively.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding principles and risk assessments.

Responsibilities

• Work with children in care, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
• Support the team in care orders, assessments, and reunification plans.
• Chair meetings and deputize for the Team Manager.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Knowledge of Legislation

Leadership

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

Step into a role where your leadership truly matters. As an Assistant Team Manager in our Children in Care Team, you’ll help shape the future for children and young people who need stability and support the most. You’ll join a passionate, collaborative team committed to making a difference – where your expertise will influence practice, inspire colleagues, and drive positive change. This is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to drive positive change and be part of a service that values innovation and professional growth.

What you’ll do:

• Work directly with children in care, ensuring statutory requirements are met.
• Support the team with care orders, assessments, and reunification planning.
• Assist with caseload management, including co‑working on complex cases and quality‑assuring reports.
• Mentor and supervise staff, contributing to individual and group supervision sessions.
• Chair meetings, deputise for the Team Manager, and allocate tasks to team members.
• Promote best practice and ensure adherence to safeguarding policies and departmental standards.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Significant frontline statutory social work experience, including senior‑level practice within Children & Families services.
• Strong knowledge of legislation, safeguarding principles, and risk assessment.
• Excellent assessment, communication, and organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex cases and competing priorities.
• Ability to lead, motivate and support a diverse team, fostering a positive and high‑performing environment.
• Highly motivated and committed to achieving positive outcomes for children.

Why join us

• Be part of a supportive, collaborative team passionate about improving outcomes for children.
• Access to ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Up to £8,500 relocation assistance for experienced UK‑based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
• Access to Health Assured’s comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details.

Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Deputy Team Manager, Assistant Manager – Children’s Services, Senior Social Work Practitioner, Practice Supervisor, Senior Social Worker.