Team Manager (Children in Care)

Hampshire County Council; England; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a Team Manager for their Children in Care team. This role involves leading a team of qualified Social Workers, ensuring high-quality services, and making impactful decisions for vulnerable children. The ideal candidate will have experience in care management and strong leadership skills. Competitive salary and benefits package offered.

Benefits

Access to professional development

Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding principles and relevant legislation.
• Proven experience in care management and supervising social work practice.
• Ability to make sound decisions in complex situations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate a team of Social Workers.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding principles.
• Manage budgets effectively.
• Build strong multi-agency partnerships.
• Drive service development initiatives.

Skills

Leadership and motivation

Knowledge of safeguarding

Communication skills

Partnership building

Decision-making in complex situations

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

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Job Reference: HCC622775

Salary Range: £58,298 - £63,773 per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of £9,350 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 24 November 2025

The Role:

As a Team Manager, you’ll lead our Children in Care team to deliver life-changing support to Hampshire’s most vulnerable children. You’ll oversee and support a team of qualified Social Workers, ensuring high-quality, responsive services that put children and young people at the heart of everything we do. Our Children’s Services are proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted – including for leadership and management. This is your opportunity to join a forward-thinking department committed to excellence and continuous improvement.

You’ll provide strong, visible leadership, creating a positive and accountable team culture while ensuring compliance with safeguarding principles, statutory guidance, and Hampshire County Council policies. This is a role where your decisions will make a real difference, and your ability to motivate and inspire others will help us achieve the best possible outcomes for children in care.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and motivate a team of Social Workers to deliver exceptional, child-centred services.
• Oversee casework and ensure compliance with safeguarding principles and statutory guidance.
• Manage budgets effectively, ensuring value for money and adherence to financial procedures.
• Build strong partnerships with multi-agency teams to enhance service delivery.
• Drive service development and continuous improvement initiatives.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment, and relevant legislation.
• Proven experience in care management and supervising social work practice.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and partnership-building skills.
• Ability to make sound decisions in complex situations and manage competing priorities.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Team Manager role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

• Be part of a team making a genuine difference to vulnerable young people.
• Access to professional development, post-qualifying training, and leadership development opportunities.
• Work in a supportive, collaborative environment that values innovation.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more informationhere .

Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.

Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.