Practitioner - Safeguarding and Care Planning TeamSalary

Suttons; Highgate; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A London council is seeking a Team Manager for the Leaving Care and Children Looked After Service. This role involves leading a multidisciplinary team to ensure effective corporate parenting for children in care. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in Social Care and have experience in managing teams within a care environment. The position offers a competitive recruitment bonus and extensive benefits, including flexible working arrangements and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Public Health Service Localised Flexi-time Scheme

Subsidised gym membership

Interest-free season ticket loans

Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England and hold a degree in Social Care or a related discipline.
• Experience of working with children within a care environment.
• Experience of leading and managing a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing a multidisciplinary team to deliver effective corporate parenting responsibilities.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and policies.
• Overseeing the assessment, planning, and review processes for looked after children.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Child-centred approach

Planning and coordination

Education

Degree in Social Care or related discipline

Job description

About The Borough

In Sutton, there is much for us to be proud of both as a council and as a borough. This includes high levels of resident satisfaction, the quality of our services, our success in addressing our financial challenges to date, the way that we involve and engage with residents on key issues facing the borough, and the enthusiastic and motivated staff that we employ. Looking ahead, there are plans for the delivery of new homes and new schools and the London Cancer Hub is being developed, while the Council is also seen as a driving force within the South London Partnership of five outer south‑west London boroughs focused on strategic growth, regeneration and investment. All of this demonstrates a good track record and an authority that is ambitious and set to deliver more improvements for the borough. We have set out our vision for the future of Sutton in our corporate plan – Ambitious for Sutton. This strategic plan will shape the outcomes we achieve, the services we provide, and the impact we have on residents, to make Sutton a great place to live, work and raise a family.

About the Role and Our Ideal Candidate

Team Managers in the Leaving Care and Children Looked After Service are eligible for our Golden Hello and a Recruitment and Retention Bonus as follows: £1000 paid in your first month’s salary, £1000 paid for your first completed year in service, £2000 paid for your second completed year in service, £3000 paid for your third completed year in service and every year thereafter.

Responsibilities

• Leading and managing a multidisciplinary team to deliver effective corporate parenting responsibilities for children looked after and leaving care.
• Ensuring that all interventions are child‑centred, emphasising the best interests of the children and young people in our care.
• Overseeing the assessment, planning, and review processes for looked after children.
• Ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, policies, and professional standards.
• Fostering a positive and inclusive team culture that encourages professional growth and continuous improvement.
• Overseeing proceedings and care planning, quality assurance reports, and the direct work of your team, while chairing meetings and collaborating with multi‑agency professionals to safeguard the children and young people in our care.
• Managing challenges in a dynamic and diverse environment, expanding your knowledge and skill set within children’s social care.

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England and hold a degree in Social Care or a related discipline.
• Experience of working with children within a care environment.
• Experience of leading and managing a multidisciplinary team.
• Sound knowledge and ability to deliver social work support to service users and their families.
• Ability to communicate complex social issues clearly to both patients and professionals.
• Ability to plan and coordinate social care plans and aspects of patient discharge.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays (pro‑rata if part‑time).
• General Council Flexi‑time (roles at grades 1‑9).
• Public Health Service Localised Flexi‑time Scheme – accrual of up to 5 days per year.
• Three volunteering days per year in Sutton.
• Comprehensive learning and development programme.
• Local and national discounts for shopping, eating out and leisure activities.
• Interest‑free season ticket loans.
• Local Government Pension Scheme.
• Car parking scheme.
• Bicycle loan facilities and cycle‑to‑work scheme.
• Zip car scheme.
• Free eye tests and contribution towards glasses.
• Confidential wellbeing and counselling support.
• Subsidised gym membership.

Application Process

Please apply online outlining what skills, abilities and experience you can bring to this role. Ensure you refer to the requirements outlined in the job profile when completing your application. Our short‑listing process anonymises personal information that could identify applicants to reduce the risk of bias. Hiring managers review applications based on how well candidates meet the role criteria. Applications are accepted until the vacancy is closed; we advise applying early to avoid disappointment.

Diversity & Equality

We pride ourselves on being a diverse, inclusive and welcoming borough and aim to create a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates. As part of our Disability Confident status, we guarantee an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. We offer a range of family‑friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums and staff networks.