Early Years Quality Team Manager

Tameside Council; Tameside; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Tameside Council is seeking an experienced Team Manager to lead our Early Years Quality Improvement Team and shape services across early years quality improvement, school readiness, inclusion and SEND. You will work with schools, childcare providers, Family Hubs, health partners and senior leaders to drive quality, improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for children and families across the borough.

This is a strategic and operational leadership role that supports innovation and safeguards.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of EYFS, SEND, safeguarding and Ofsted frameworks is essential.
• Significant Early Years experience in leadership and service improvement is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Early Years Quality Improvement Team to drive quality and outcomes.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across EY quality improvement, school readiness, inclusion and SEND.
• Collaborate with schools, childcare providers, Family Hubs, health partners and senior leaders.
• Drive service improvements and support the Early Years sector while contributing to strategy priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Partnerships

Communication

Change management

Job description

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade J. Scale 40 - £53,051 to Scale 41 - £54,143

Hours Per Week: 36

Base Location: Tameside One, Market Place, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 6BH

Assessment Date: To be arranged

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of children and families? Do you bring compassion, curiosity, collaboration, conversation, and courage to your practice? If so, Tameside is looking for you.

The Role

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for young children and ensuring every child gets the best start in life?

Tameside Council is seeking an experienced and ambitious Team Manager to lead our Early Years Quality Improvement Team. This is an exciting opportunity to provide strategic and operational leadership across Early Years quality improvement, school readiness, inclusion and SEND, helping to shape services that make a lasting difference to children and families across the borough.

You will work with schools, childcare providers, Family Hubs, health partners and senior leaders to drive quality, improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for children. The role includes leading service improvement, supporting the Early Years sector, managing a skilled team, and contributing to the delivery of Tameside's Early Years Strategy and Best Start in Life priorities.

About You

We are looking for a strong leader with significant Early Years experience, excellent partnership and communication skills, and a proven track record of delivering improvement and change. Knowledge of the EYFS, SEND, safeguarding and Ofsted frameworks are essential.

If you are committed to transforming outcomes for children and families and want to lead innovation and improvement across Tameside's Early Years sector, we would love to hear from you.

About Us

Message from Jill Colbert, Director of Children’s Services

“I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues.

“I came to Tameside for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here.

“We’re a children’s service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we’re ambitious to deliver that change.

“We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS’ of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

“I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I’d love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside.”

Our Heart of Support Practice Approach

At Tameside, we believe in:

• Compassion understanding the lived experiences of children and families.
• Curiosity asking questions that lead to deeper insight and better outcomes for children.
• Collaboration working together across services to deliver joined-up support.
• Conversation listening and engaging meaningfully with children, families and professionals.
• Courage leading with courage, making bold and compassionate decisions that put children first.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment. This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.

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

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here.

We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please click here for more information on our guaranteed assessment scheme.

For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager Emma Lewis on 0161 342 5197 or [e-mail]