Team Manager – Children’s Social Care

BBS Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

BBS Recruitment is seeking a skilled Team Manager for Looked After Children services. You will lead the Looked After Children Team, oversee referrals, caseloads and ensure statutory standards are met.

You will provide supervision, performance reviews, manage budgets, coordinate multi-agency partnership work, and drive continuous improvement while maintaining high professional standards.

Qualifications

• Professional Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Management qualification or willingness to undertake relevant management training.
• Post-qualifying experience in children's social care, including child protection and family placement services.
• Experience working at Senior Practitioner level or equivalent.
• Experience supervising, managing and developing staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Looked After Children Team and ensure high-quality services.
• Oversee referrals, caseload management and monitor progress to meet statutory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with legislation, guidance, policies, and procedures.
• Provide supervision and professional guidance to staff to promote accountability and high performance.
• Monitor performance through audits, QA checks and regular reviews.
• Manage delegated budgets and ensure efficient use of resources.
• Lead induction, identify training needs and support professional development.
• Conduct staff appraisals and manage disciplinary matters as needed.
• Participate in recruitment and support social work students and trainees.
• Chair team meetings and contribute to multi-agency discussions and planning.
• Maintain accurate management information and reporting systems.
• Collaborate with senior management, health services, police, schools and partners.
• Contribute to service development and drive evidence-based practice.

Skills

Team leadership

Staff supervision

Budget management

Child protection knowledge

Multi-agency collaboration

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Decision making

Performance management

Education

Professional Social Work qualification & Social Work England registration

Job description

Lead and manage the Looked After Children Team, ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality children's social care services.

Oversee case allocation, referrals and caseload management, monitoring progress and ensuring statutory requirements and service standards are met.

Ensure the team operates in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, organisational policies and procedures.

Provide regular supervision, professional guidance and support to staff, promoting accountability, good practice and high performance.

Monitor team performance through case audits, quality assurance checks and regular reviews.

Manage delegated budgets and ensure resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Lead staff induction, identify training needs and support ongoing professional development.

Conduct staff performance and development reviews, addressing competency, attendance and disciplinary matters where necessary.

Participate in recruitment and selection processes and support the development of social work students and trainees.

Chair team meetings and contribute to multi-agency discussions and service planning.

Maintain accurate management information and ensure effective reporting and recording systems.

Work collaboratively with senior management, health services, police, schools, commissioning teams and other partner agencies.

Contribute to service development and improvement, promoting evidence-based practice and positive outcomes for children and families.

Requirements for Team Manager

• Professional Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England.
• Management qualification or willingness to undertake relevant management training.
• Proven post-qualifying experience in children's social care, including child protection and family placement services.
• Experience working at Senior Practitioner level or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience supervising, managing and developing staff.
• Strong knowledge of child protection, safeguarding legislation and relevant statutory guidance.
• Understanding of care management, performance management and quality assurance frameworks.
• Experience managing complex cases, monitoring service delivery and maintaining professional standards.
• Strong leadership, analytical, assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and supervisory skills.
• Ability to manage budgets, allocate resources and prioritise competing demands.
• Ability to motivate staff, promote best practice and drive continuous improvement.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet deadlines and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.