Team Manager - Family Help - Luton Borough Council

Caritas Recruitment Limited; Luton; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 74,000; Part time

Job summary

Luton Borough Council is seeking an experienced Team Manager to lead the Family Help Team on a locum contract in Luton. You will oversee a multidisciplinary group including Social Workers, Family Help Practitioners, Psychologists, and other allied professionals to improve outcomes for children and families.

You will drive service improvement, maintain high professional standards and ensure safeguarding excellence within a dynamic local authority environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Significant experience in Children's Services, Family Help, safeguarding and child protection.
• Previous management or advanced supervisory experience in social work.
• Strong knowledge of children’s legislation and statutory responsibilities.
• Proven ability to make complex decisions in high‑risk safeguarding environments.
• Excellent communication, report writing and partnership working.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion legislation and practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Family Help Team.
• Oversee assessment, care planning, safeguarding, child protection and statutory social work functions.
• Provide specialist interventions and support across Luton.
• Supervise, mentor and develop staff, including Consultant Social Workers.
• Support recruitment, performance management and workforce development.
• Ensure practice remains compliant with current legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.
• Manage complex projects and contribute to strategic service development.
• Promote positive outcomes for children, young people and families through effective service delivery.
• Maintain high standards of professional practice and quality assurance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team development

Decision making

Safeguarding knowledge

Policy and legislation knowledge

Education

Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration

Job description

Team Manager - Family Help Team

Luton Borough Council

Up to £45.48 per hour

Locum Contract

Caritas Recruitment is currently recruiting for an experienced Team Manager to join the Family Help Team at Luton Borough Council. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled manager with a strong background in Family Help, Safeguarding and Child Protection to lead a multidisciplinary team focused on improving outcomes for children, young people and families.

The Role

As Team Manager, you will lead and oversee the day-to-day delivery of a high-quality Family Help service, managing a diverse team that may include Social Workers, Family Help Practitioners, Psychologists, Police Community Support Officers, Attendance Support Officers, and Speech & Language Therapists.

You will play a key role in ensuring children and families receive effective support and intervention, whilst maintaining high professional standards and driving service improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Family Help Team.
• Oversee assessment, care planning, safeguarding, child protection and statutory social work functions.
• Provide specialist interventions and support across Luton.
• Supervise, mentor and develop staff, including Consultant Social Workers.
• Support recruitment, performance management and workforce development.
• Ensure practice remains compliant with current legislation, statutory guidance and best practice.
• Manage complex projects and contribute to strategic service development.
• Promote positive outcomes for children, young people and families through effective service delivery.
• Maintain high standards of professional practice and quality assurance.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with Social Work England registration.
• Significant experience within Children's Services, Family Help, Safeguarding and Child Protection.
• Previous management or advanced supervisory experience within a social work setting.
• Strong knowledge of children's legislation, safeguarding frameworks and statutory responsibilities.
• Experience making complex decisions in high-risk safeguarding environments.
• Ability to manage, motivate and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication, report writing and partnership-working skills.
• Sound professional judgement and decision-making abilities.
• Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion legislation and practice.