Team Leader - Children And Justice Services

Service Care Solutions; Blantyre; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority council is seeking a Locum Team Leader for Children and Justice Services in Blantyre. The role involves managing a Social Work team, providing leadership and supervision, overseeing case workloads, and ensuring compliance with policies and standards. The ideal candidate should have a social work qualification, SSSC registration, and significant experience in a statutory setting. The position offers a full-time working pattern and requires strong communication and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of a Social Work team.
• Supervise qualified social workers and para-professional staff.
• Oversee work allocation and ensure effective workload management.
• Chair reviews of Community Payback Orders.
• Lead multi-agency meetings for child and adult protection.
• Ensure compliance with professional standards and policies.

Skills

Social Work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, BA or equivalent)

SSSC registration

Experience in Justice Social Work

Team management experience

Risk assessment and management

Excellent communication skills

Organisational skills

Decision-making skills

Job description

Locum Team Leader - Children and Justice Services

South Lanarkshire Council

Assignment Details

• Location: Auchentibber Resource Centre, Blantyre
• Duration: Approx. 9 months (maternity cover)
• Start Date: December 2025 (or as soon as possible)
• Working Pattern: Full-time, Monday to Friday (including one late evening)
• Pay Rate: Negotiable depending on experience

The Role

As Locum Team Leader, you will be responsible for the day‑to‑day management of a Social Work team. You will provide leadership, supervision and direction, ensure effective workload management, promote high standards of practice and contribute to service development and improvement. The role includes chairing reviews of Community Payback Orders, managing staff performance and working closely with partner agencies to support public protection and positive outcomes for service users.

Key Responsibilities

• Line management and supervision of qualified social workers and para‑professional staff
• Allocation and oversight of work, ensuring effective caseload and workload management
• Chairing reviews of Community Payback Orders imposed by the Courts
• Leading and contributing to multi‑agency meetings, including child and adult protection where required
• Monitoring quality, performance and compliance with national and local standardsSupporting service improvement, development and best practice
• Ensuring council policies, procedures and professional standards are consistently applied

Essential Requirements

• Social Work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, BA or equivalent)
• SSSC registration
• Significant post‑qualifying experience within Justice Social Work
• Proven experience of team management or leadership in a statutory social work setting
• Strong knowledge of risk assessment and management
• Excellent communication, organisational and decision‑making skills
• Ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities in a demanding environment

Desirable

• Experience specifically within Unpaid Work Services
• Experience chairing multi‑agency meetings
• Familiarity with tools such as LSCMI and other justice‑related assessment frameworks
• Experience contributing to service development and improvement initiatives