Social Work Team Manager | Family Safeguarding | Preston & Chorley

Lancashire County Council; Preston; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority focused on family safeguarding is seeking a Team Manager in Preston. This role involves leading a team of children's services professionals to enhance support for children and families. The ideal candidate should have experience in child protection, leadership qualities, and a collaborative approach to service delivery. This permanent full-time position offers a salary range of £51,356 - £55,612 per annum, with a closing date for applications on 21st December 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a team of social workers to achieve quality service delivery.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various children's services agencies.
• Experience in child protection and family safeguarding.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of professionals to improve support for children and families.
• Ensure high-quality assessments and timely interventions.
• Develop services aligned with Lancashire's children and families vision.

Skills

Leadership

Strengths-Based approach

Collaboration

Dynamic thinking

Education

Registered social worker (SWE)

Job description

Job Description

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| Salary £51,356 - £55,612 per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Family Safeguarding - Preston & Chorley |

International Sponsorship - this role is not open to international sponsorship.

We have two exciting opportunities to join our Family Safeguarding Team as a Team Manager; one based in Preston, and a second in Chorley.

About us...

In Family Safeguarding, we have been able to reduce the number of children coming into care, by offering direct work, not only provided by social workers, but by our adult social workers, who specialise in domestic abuse, substance/alcohol misuse and mental health issues.

Family Safeguarding is a strengths-based model of social work, and we have implemented it in Lancashire as part of the Strengthening Families, Protecting Children Innovation Programme, with support from Hertfordshire. We seek to keep children at home with their families where it is safe to do so, the work covers children in need, child protection, pre-proceedings, Court work and adoption and we are looking for someone who is experienced and confident in these areas.

About the role...

As a Team Manager, you will lead a team of children's services professionals to deliver and continuously improve specialist support for children, young people, and their families in Lancashire.

Delivering a quality service is key, ensuring high-quality assessments, timely interventions, and safe placements that protect vulnerable children and enhance life chances. Working closely with the Senior Manager you will develop, and review services aligned with Lancashire's vision for Children and Families.

About You...

We're looking for a passionate and dedicated Social Work professional, who holds the following qualities and attributes:

• Leadership - You will be confident in leading and developing your team of social workers, motivating them to deliver a quality service.
• Strengths-Based - You are able to work alongside families to identify what makes them strong and resilient and to help them to address areas of need and risk.
• Collaborative - You will be working in partnership with multiple agencies across the wider children's services and must be able to collaborate effectively to deliver the best outcomes for children and their families.
• Dynamic - As a team manager, you will need to be adaptable and able to think on your feet, to respond to urgent matters in a timely fashion.

For full details on the essential criteria, please refer to the job description and person specification linked below:

Job Description & Person Specification

How to apply

Please click the 'Apply Now' button below to submit your application.

We ask that you have attached the following:

• Supporting Statement
• CV

If you would like more information, or an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Andrea Hull, Senior Manager, via email on [e-mail].

Closing Date: 21st December 2025

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.

You must be registered (SWE) to be appointed as a Social Worker or have applied to register with the Social Care Council. For Social Worker/Care Manager positions where non social worker qualifications are accepted, registration is not required, and you will be appointed as a Care Manager.