Team Manager (Family Connections)

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL; Andover; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a Team Manager for their Family Connections Service to lead a dedicated team supporting children in kinship care. This role involves overseeing social workers, ensuring compliance with regulations, and driving service improvements. Ideal candidates will be registered social workers with strong leadership and communication skills. The position offers a supportive work environment and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package

Generous annual leave

Occupational sick pay

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding principles and fostering legislation.
• Proven experience in care management and supervising social work practice.
• Ability to handle complex situations and competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong, visible leadership to create a positive team culture.
• Motivate staff to deliver a high-performing service.
• Ensure compliance with national care standards and safeguarding policies.
• Oversee quality assurance of kinship assessments and reports.
• Build partnerships with multi-agency teams for better service delivery.
• Drive service development and improvement initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Partnership-building

Decision-making

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

As Team Manager within Hampshire’s Family Connections Service, part of our Fostering Service, you’ll lead a specialist team dedicated to supporting children to remain within their family networks when they cannot live with their parents. You’ll oversee Social Workers and Family Practitioners, ensuring high-quality assessments under Fostering and Special Guardianship regulations and providing ongoing support to kinship carers so children can thrive in familiar, stable environments.

The Family Connections Service plays a vital role in permanency planning and safeguarding. With around 200 kinship carers in assessment and over 900 children supported under Special Guardianship Orders, the team works closely with Children’s Social Work teams to deliver safe, effective care within family networks. Kinship support has grown significantly in recent years, and you’ll contribute to shaping and improving this evolving service.

What you’ll do

• Provide strong, visible leadership to create a positive, accountable team culture.
• Motivate and inspire staff to deliver a responsive, high-performing service.
• Ensure compliance with national care standards and safeguarding policies.
• Oversee quality assurance of kinship assessments and court reports.
• 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 principles, fostering legislation, and Special Guardianship regulations.
• 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.

Why join us

• Be part of an Ofsted-rated Outstanding service committed to achieving the best outcomes for children.
• Work in a collaborative, supportive environment with opportunities for professional development.
• Help shape an evolving service that makes a real difference to children and families.
• 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.

To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details.

Important:

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

Other job titles you may be searching for: Senior Social Worker, Social Work Team Manager, Kinship Care Team Manager, Fostering Team Leader, Children’s Services Team Leader, Social Care Manager.