Practice Manager - Separated Children

Northamptonshire Children's Trust; Northampton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Practice Manager for the Children in Care team. This role involves supporting social workers, managing a busy team, and ensuring positive outcomes for children and families. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social work and excellent communication skills. The organization offers a supportive environment with numerous benefits, including a relocation package and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

SWE Registration paid yearly

Relocation costs of up to £8,000

Retention bonus payments

28 days annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays

Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working arrangements

Subsidised town centre parking scheme

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England with 18 months post-qualification experience.
• Strong background in Children in Care.

Responsibilities

• Support and guide social workers and family support workers.
• Conduct regular case and personal supervisions.

Skills

Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

Social Work qualification

Job description

Practice Manager Children in Care Separated Children's and No Recourse to Public Funds Team

Duration - 12 Months (Fixed Term or Secondment)

The Children in Care Service is looking to recruit a Practice Manager on secondment. The successful applicant will support the Team Manager with day-to-day operational issues and may deputise in their absence.

Our Benefits

We are committed to continuous improvement, building a skilled, knowledgeable, and flexible workforce, promoting innovation and creativity, with children, young people, and families at the centre of all we do.

Our benefits include:

• SWE Registration paid yearly (social care colleagues)
• Relocation costs of up to £8,000
• Retention bonus payments for established personnel
• 28 days annual leave plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part-time) and an additional 5 days after 5 years
• Local Government Pension Scheme, immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one), and ill-health protection
• Option to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme available 24/7 for you and your immediate family, including counselling, legal advice, bereavement support, and medical information
• Discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel, and dining out
• Flexible and family-friendly working arrangements, including enhanced maternity benefits
• A supportive and inclusive management team empowering professional decisions
• Extensive learning, development, and career growth opportunities
• Subsidised town centre parking scheme

What Will You Be Doing?

This is a large, busy team working with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children under 18 and families with no recourse to public funds. You will support, advise, and guide social workers and family support workers, manage the team line, conduct regular case and personal supervisions, and carry out annual appraisals. The role is fast-paced, aiming to deliver positive outcomes in collaboration with colleagues from the Leaving Care Service and external partners.

About You

You must hold a recognized Social Work qualification (degree/diploma) and be registered with Social Work England. You should have a strong background in Children in Care, motivation for self-development, and the ability to develop others.

You Will Need

• Previous management experience (desirable)
• Knowledge and experience of immigration processes (essential)
• Social Work England registration with at least 18 months post-qualification experience
• Experience within Children in Care
• Excellent communication skills, including report writing and record keeping
• Strong organisational abilities

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check and a Barred List check.

About Us

At Northamptonshire Childrens Trust, children, young people, and families are central to our decisions and actions. Our mission is to achieve the best outcomes for them. The Trust is wholly owned and funded but operationally independent from the Councils.

We value our colleagues, fostering a culture of support and kindness, celebrating achievements, and welcoming creativity. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, are a disability confident employer, and guarantee an interview for care leavers who meet the essential criteria.

Join us and make a real difference through your work.