Lead LAC Team Manager – Permanence & Safeguarding

Opus People Solutions Limited; Shrewsbury; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Opus People Solutions Limited is seeking an experienced Team Manager for Looked After Children services in Shrewsbury. You will lead a team of seven social workers, ensuring statutory supervision every four weeks and robust care planning to drive positive outcomes for children in care.

You will chair multi‑agency meetings, oversee permanency planning and SGOs, and collaborate closely with Legal Services to ensure timely completion of orders and court reports.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a team of Social Workers.
• Strong knowledge of Looked After statutory responsibilities.
• Understanding of Care Planning Regulations and Permanence Planning.
• Experience chairing multi-agency meetings and providing management oversight.
• Social Work England registration and full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Managing and supervising a team of 7 Social Workers, ensuring statutory supervision is completed every 4 weeks.
• Providing robust management oversight across all looked after children cases.
• Chairing multi‑agency meetings focused on permanence planning, safeguarding, and risk management.
• Supporting the progression of SGOs and Care Order discharges, working with Legal Services for timely completion.
• Quality assuring assessments, care plans, reviews, court reports, and other key documentation in line with Care Planning Regulations.
• Monitoring performance, compliance, and service delivery through weekly performance meetings.
• Supporting social workers with complex decision‑making, permanency planning, and risk assessment.
• Acting as Duty Manager for the CLA and UASC Service, providing cover during annual leave and staff absences.
• Ensuring children experience stable placements and achieve permanence through effective care planning.

Skills

Team management

Leadership

Court experience

Quality assurance of assessments

Regulatory compliance in looked after

Job description

Opus People Solutions Limited is seeking an experienced Team Manager for Looked After Children services in Shrewsbury. You will lead a team of seven social workers, ensuring statutory supervision every four weeks and robust care planning to drive positive outcomes for children in care.

You will chair multi‑agency meetings, oversee permanency planning and SGOs, and collaborate closely with Legal Services to ensure timely completion of orders and court reports.