Team Manager - Looked After Children

Caritas Recruitment; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Greater Manchester is seeking a Children in Care Team Manager to lead a dedicated team focusing on safeguarding and support for children in care. The successful candidate will provide values-led leadership, manage team performance and workloads while ensuring compliance with legislation. The role offers a competitive salary alongside benefits such as flexible working arrangements and career development opportunities. Bury Council invites passionate Social Workers with extensive experience to apply.

Benefits

Generous annual leave

Flexible/agile working arrangements

Health & wellbeing support

Greater Manchester Local Government Pension Scheme

Salary sacrifice schemes

Discounts with major retailers

Qualifications

• Substantial post-qualifying experience is required.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation and national guidance is necessary.
• Desirable experience includes budget management and team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Provide values-led leadership to social workers.
• Ensure statutory responsibilities are delivered effectively.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children in care.
• Manage workloads, resources, and budget performance.
• Oversee quality assurance and service development initiatives.

Skills

Social Work England registration

Strong safeguarding knowledge

Partnership working across agencies

Commitment to equality and diversity

Education

Recognised Social Work qualification (CQSW, DIPSW, BA Social Work or equivalent)

Job description

Children in Care Team Manager - Bury Council

Children in Care CIC aka Looked After Children LAC, Care Experienced Children, Corporate Parenting, Children Looked After - CLA

Please note that only Social Work England Registered Social Workers with Right to Work in the UK will be considered for this role, please do not apply if you are not a SWE Registered Social Worker who has the Right to Work in the UK.

Join Bury Council as a Children in Care Team Manager

Bury Council is seeking a committed, motivated, and dynamic Team Manager to join their Children in Care Service. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an organisation on a strong improvement journey, dedicated to delivering excellent outcomes for children and young people.

You will be joining a stable, passionate, and values‑driven team where strong relationships with young people matter and high‑quality practice is championed. The service is supported by a visible, approachable, and forward‑thinking senior leadership team, committed to innovation, service development, and fostering meaningful career progression.

Whether you are an experienced Team Manager, or a skilled and confident practitioner ready for the next step, Bury would love to hear from you.

💼 About the Role

• Provide strong, values‑led leadership to social workers and an Advanced Practitioner
• Ensure statutory responsibilities and departmental policies are delivered effectively
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in care
• Lead, supervise, and support staff to deliver high‑quality, relationship‑based practice
• Manage workloads, resources, budgets, and team performance
• Represent the Local Authority at key meetings, including courts
• Oversee quality assurance, audits, and service development initiatives
• Support recruitment, staff development, and continuous improvement across the service

This role includes agile and remote working capabilities, in line with service requirements.

💡 About You

• Social Work England registration
• A recognised Social Work qualification (CQSW, DIPSW, BA Social Work, or equivalent)
• Substantial post‑qualifying experience, including strong safeguarding background
• Excellent knowledge of Working Together to Safeguard Children, relevant legislation, and national guidance
• Experience in partnership working across agencies
• A strong commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion, and continuous professional development
• Understanding of GDPR and good information‑governance practices
• Desirable experience includes budget management, staff supervision, and team leadership.

💷 Salary & Benefits

Salary: £52,413 - £53,460 + £2,000 market supplement

Bury Council is recognised as a good employer, committed to high standards of wellbeing, flexible working, development, and inclusion. Employees benefit from:

• Generous annual leave
• Flexible/agile working arrangements
• Apprenticeships and learning opportunities (GCSE to Masters level)
• Health & wellbeing support via the Live Better Feel Better programme
• Support for working carers
• Greater Manchester Local Government Pension Scheme
• Salary sacrifice schemes (car parking, leasing & cycle to work)
• Discounts with major retailers

Bury Council proudly guarantees interviews for:

• Disabled applicants
• Care leavers and looked after children
• Armed forces personnel (including reservists & veterans)
• Carers of adults or disabled children

(subject to meeting essential criteria)

📍 Contract & Working Conditions

• 37 hours per week
• Agile / remote working included
• Some out‑of‑hours work required
• Enhanced DBS required
• Car allowance may be available

Ready to Make a Difference?

For more information on this role or for a discussion about Social Work opportunities across England and Wales please contact Gemma at Caritas Recruitment - (url removed) / (phone number removed)

Caritas Recruitment is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy