Team Manager - Children Looked After & Leaving Care

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

Job summary

A local recruitment agency is seeking a Team Manager for Children Looked After and Leaving Care in Sutton. This permanent position offers an inspiring opportunity to lead a committed team, ensuring effective support for young people transitioning to adulthood. Applicants should have prior experience as a Team Manager along with significant Leaving Care expertise. The role involves overseeing assessments, compliance with legislation, and promoting best practices in a supportive work environment with existing senior management structures.

Benefits

Recruitment & Retention Package

SWE registration reimbursement

Up to 5 additional annual leave days

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

13% pension scheme

On-site facilities including a gym

Hybrid working

Face-to-face pod meetings

Qualifications

• Previous Team Manager experience is essential.
• Significant Leaving Care experience is essential.
• Advanced knowledge of legislation and statutory responsibilities is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-quality practice across CLA and Leaving Care.
• Oversee assessments, care planning, pathway planning, and reviews.
• Chair meetings and promote strong multi-agency collaboration.

Skills

Strong leadership and staff development skills

Strong communication and multi-agency partnership skills

Ability to manage complex cases and balance risk

Education

Degree in Social Work or equivalent

Registration with Social Work England

Job description

Team Manager – Children Looked After & Leaving Care

Salary: £49,056 – £57,402 per year

Job type: Permanent

Location: Sutton

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.

Previous Team Manager experience and significant Leaving Care experience are essential to 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

• Recruitment & Retention Package
  • £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 managers’ 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)
• Essential: previous Team Manager experience
• Essential: 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 02038546682 or [e-mail]