Team Manager - Children Looked After & Leaving Care

Ackerman Pierce Ltd; Sutton; Hybrid; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government agency seeks a Team Manager for Children Looked After and Leaving Care in Sutton, UK. The role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, overseeing assessments, and ensuring compliance with legislation. Candidates must have previous managerial experience, strong leadership skills, and knowledge of Leaving Care practices. The position offers a salary of £49,056 - £57,402 with a range of benefits including bonuses and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Retention bonus of up to £3,000 after 3 years

SWE registration reimbursement

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Gym facilities on-site

Hybrid work model

Qualifications

• Previous Team Manager experience is essential.
• Significant Leaving Care experience required.
• Ability to balance risk, need, and strengths.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary pod to deliver child-centred intervention.
• Oversee assessments, care planning, and reviews.
• Chair meetings and promote multi-agency collaboration.

Skills

Strong leadership and staff development skills

Strong communication and multi-agency partnership skills

Ability to manage complex cases

Advanced knowledge of legislation

Education

Degree in Social Work (or equivalent)

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

Team Manager – Children Looked After & Leaving Care (x2 Vacancies)

London Borough of Sutton

Salary: £49,056 – £57,402 + Retention Bonus

36 hours | Full Time | Hybrid (minimum 3 days in the office)

ASAP start required

We are recruiting two full‑time Team Managers within the Children Looked After (CLA) and Leaving Care (LC) Service at the London Borough of Sutton. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly supportive, child‑focused service operating a pod model, with strong leadership and a hands‑on approach to supporting young people.

Due to recent internal promotions, previous Team Manager experience is essential, alongside significant Leaving Care experience. You will join a structure with two established Service Managers, as well as a team committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for children and young people.

The team is warm, collaborative, and highly engaged — they run regular events for children and young people, maintain strong long‑term relationships, and ensure managers are visible and actively involved in practice.

Key Benefits

• £1,000 in your first month
• £1,000 after 12 months
• £2,000 after 24 months
• £3,000 after 3 years
• £3,000 annually thereafter
• SWE registration reimbursement
• Up to 5 additional annual leave days after 5 years of service
• 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
• 13% pension scheme
• On‑site facilities including a gym
• Hybrid working: 3 days per week in the office (visits can count as office days)
• Face‑to‑face pod meetings and manager meetings

About the Role

As a Team Manager, you will lead high‑quality practice across CLA and Leaving Care, ensuring strong corporate parenting and effective support for young people transitioning to adulthood. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and developing a multidisciplinary pod to deliver effective, child‑centred intervention.
• Overseeing assessments, care planning, pathway planning, and reviews.
• Ensuring compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, and internal practice frameworks.
• Chairing meetings and promoting strong multi‑agency collaboration.
• Providing reflective supervision, quality assurance oversight, and professional leadership.
• Supporting practitioners to make robust, evidence‑based decisions in complex and emotionally challenging situations.

You will help drive performance, model best practice, and cultivate a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Registration with Social Work England
• Degree in Social Work (or equivalent)
• Previous Team Manager experience
• Significant Leaving Care experience
• Strong leadership and staff development skills
• Advanced knowledge of legislation and statutory responsibilities
• Ability to manage complex cases and balance risk, need, and strengths
• Strong communication and multi‑agency partnership skills

Contact Phil at Ackerman Pierce on (phone number removed) or (url removed)