Team Manager

Southampton City Council; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Southampton seeks a Team Manager to lead the Mental Wellbeing Service. This role involves overseeing operational delivery, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in adult mental health and a proven record in leadership and change management. Salary range is £52,413 - £58,865 with excellent benefits including flexible working and significant employer contribution.

Benefits

16.8% employer contribution

Generous holiday (25-31 days)

Flexible working options

Health and wellbeing support

Discounted memberships at local sports centres

Employee volunteering scheme

Qualifications

• Substantial post-qualifying experience in adult mental health.
• Proven ability to manage staff and resources effectively.
• Commitment to inclusive practice and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee team performance and resource allocation.
• Manage sickness absence and support recruitment.
• Chair safeguarding and risk management meetings.
• Ensure compliance with legal frameworks.

Skills

Leadership skills

Change management

Understanding of statutory frameworks

Experience in multi-agency working

Education

Qualified social worker

Job description

Overview

Join Us in Transforming Adult Social Care in Southampton! Southampton City Council is on an aspirational journey to transform Adult Social Care through our Ambitious Futures Programme, guided by the #SocialCareFuture vision. Our Mental Wellbeing Service (MWS) is a dynamic, passionate team committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care for adults experiencing mental health challenges and/or substance misuse. Following the non-renewal of our Section 75 NHS Act 2006 partnership agreement, we are shaping a new model of adult social care provision that is responsive, inclusive, and rooted in statutory duties.

About the Role

We are seeking a Team Manager to lead a team of senior practitioners, Social Workers, independence advisors, and a resource coordinator. You will be responsible for:

Responsibilities

• Operational leadership: Overseeing team performance, capacity, and resource allocation.
• Staff management: Providing supervision, managing sickness absence, and supporting recruitment and retention.
• Safeguarding and risk management: Chairing safeguarding and multi-agency risk management meetings.
• Strategic contribution: Working with partner agencies to improve patient flow and service integration.
• Legal compliance: Ensuring adherence to the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, and Mental Health Act 1983.
• Data and budget oversight: Monitoring trends, themes, and budget spend to inform service improvements.

Who We\'re Looking For

• You will be a qualified social worker with substantial post-qualifying experience in adult mental health. You\'ll bring:
• Proven leadership and change management skills.
• A strong understanding of statutory frameworks and safeguarding.
• Experience in multi-agency working and service transformation.
• A commitment to inclusive practice and continuous improvement.

We welcome applications from experienced practitioners and those with demonstrable expertise in mental health and substance misuse.

Why Join Us

We are seeking a passionate Team Manager to provide strong leadership as we continue our journey of improvement and change within Adult Social Care Mental Health. You will champion a person-centred approach, upholding individual rights and empowering residents of Southampton who are experiencing mental health challenges and/or substance misuse to live fulfilling lives. As Team Manager, you will lead the Mental Wellbeing Service team—comprising skilled and supportive practitioners with diverse experience in applying statutory duties under key legal frameworks, including the Care Act 2014. You will be responsible for overseeing the team\'s operational delivery, ensuring high-quality and timely completion of assessments, support plans, reviews, safeguarding enquiries, mental capacity assessments, and professional reports. Effective time management and the ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment will be essential to your success.

The team is based at the Civic Centre in Southampton, working alongside the wider directorate of adult social care including our dedicated AMHP team. Southampton City Council promotes flexible and agile working, and you will have the option to work from home as well as being office-based at least three days a week.

What We Can Offer

• Salary: The salary band for this role is £52,413 - £58,865. The starting salary is £52,413 with annual progression through the salary bands.
• Excellent benefits including 16.8% employer contribution.
• Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice AVC (additional voluntary contribution).
• Generous holiday (25-31 days, based on role and service).
• Flexible working options (role-dependent).
• Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents.
• Training and development, including coaching and mentoring.
• Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders, and access to staff networks.
• Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform.
• Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres.
• Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans.
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.