Team Manager IDT - Maternity Cover

Medway Council; Gillingham; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Training and development

Flexible working

Travel discounts

CAREFIRST counselling

Employee discount scheme

Career Progression Frameworks

Job summary

Medway Council in Medway is seeking a dedicated Social Work Team Manager to join the Integrated Discharge Team on a maternity cover basis. You will oversee a team of social workers and other professionals, leading practice to support safe hospital discharge and smooth transition to long-term care.

The role requires strong leadership, safeguarding knowledge, and the ability to manage budgets and performance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a leadership or team management role within adult social care.
• In-depth knowledge of adult social care policies including safeguarding.
• Strong ability to manage resources within a designated budget.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of social workers and professionals, conducting appraisals and fostering a strengths-based culture.
• Oversee performance using a Quality Assurance Framework and provide CPD and coaching.
• Allocate resources within budget to meet service demand and maintain high-quality provision.
• Collaborate with Operations Manager to improve service delivery and policy.
• Support staff development and ensure safeguarding and welfare are upheld.
• Provide cover for the Operations Manager and other Team Managers as needed.

Skills

Leadership in Social Care

Communication

Coaching

Job description

Team Manager IDT - Maternity Cover (ASC/26/065/NW)

Directorate: People (Childrens, Adults, Public Health, Education and SEND)
Department: Adults’ Services
Salary: Range SW4 Level A (£52,921 per annum)

Job Status: This opportunity is currently being offered on a fixed term contract basis of 6 months; however, if budgets allow the contract length may be extended and/or become permanent, though this is not guaranteed. If an internal council employee wishes to apply for this role, a secondment opportunity may be considered (please state this on your application).

Hours: 37 per week
Location: Medway Hospital
Working style: Hybrid – Works part from Medway Maritime Hospital and part from home.
Closing Date: 08/11/2026

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Social Work Team Manager to join our service in Medway. This role is working in the Integrated Discharge Team, where we assess and support people to support safe discharge from acute hospitals and in transitioning to long term social care from health pathways post discharge. We are looking for a manager who has experience working with people with diverse needs, who has experience of supervising and managing staff and in managing complex cases. You will be working closely with system partners and stakeholders to deliver a strengths-based, multidisciplinary service. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a committed team who always put the individual’s needs at the heart of everything we do. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with strong leadership skills and a passion for delivering high-quality adult social care services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership & Team Management: Manage, motivate, and develop a team of social workers and other professionals, providing direction and leadership. Conduct staff appraisals, address welfare and capability issues, and promote a creative, strengths-based culture to supporting people.
• Performance Management: Oversee the performance of your team by embedding a Quality Assurance Framework, ensuring excellent performance and statutory reporting. Provide feedback, coaching, and continuous professional development (CPD) to enhance individual and team effectiveness.
• Resource Allocation: Efficiently deploy resources within a designated budget to meet service demand, ensuring that the team’s workload is appropriately prioritized and managed. Maximize the use of team skills to maintain a high-quality service provision.
• Service Improvement: Work alongside the Operations Manager to improve service delivery by contributing to the development of adult social care provision and policy. Implement new ways of working in response to local and national initiatives, performance indicators, and audits.
• Support and Development: Share good practice with colleagues, particularly newly qualified staff and students, and foster a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Business Continuity: Provide cover in the absence of the Operations Manager and for other Team Managers to maintain service delivery and business continuity.
• Safeguarding & Welfare: Ensure that all duties are carried out in a way that ensures the safeguarding and welfare of people are upheld.

What We’re Looking For:

• Proven experience in a leadership or team management role within adult social care.
• In-depth knowledge of adult social care policies including safeguarding.
• Strong ability to manage resources effectively within a designated budget.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and coaching skills.
• A commitment to promoting best practice, professional development, and creating a strengths-based approach to supporting people.
• Ability to motivate and inspire others, while also ensuring high-quality service provision.
• A flexible and proactive approach to change, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

The successful post holder will be subject to an Enhanced Adults’ DBS check.

In return we will offer you:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Generous local government pension scheme package
• Access to wider training and development qualifications
• Flexible working scheme
• Travel plan discounts
• Access to CAREFIRST advice & counselling service
• Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers
• Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council.

Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.

The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels: Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview. Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A. Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. Level A IDT are seeking a Team Manager to join the team at level A. This is the entry point of the role, so you will need to be able to demonstrate the relevant knowledge, experience and skills to get you started, but you will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. All elements of level A listed within the person specification are essential. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

Important Information

Applicants must be able to demonstrate all criteria which are essential for appointment to the role. For further information, and for details of the benefits of working for Medway Council, please refer to the Medway information pack available as a download or to view online. Please be advised that if you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted. All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email.

Please note, we prioritise applications from current Medway Council redeployees. We will let you know if this post is to be filled by a redeployee as, in this instance, your application will unfortunately not be taken forward.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.

Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.