Team Manager Permanence

Golearnleicestershire; Leicester; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Leicestershire County Council is seeking an experienced Adoption Family Finding Team Manager to lead a dynamic team while the current manager is on maternity leave. You will drive innovative family finding strategies to secure permanence for children and advocate for their voices in decision-making.

You will lead performance, use data to drive change and inspire excellence. As a Qualified Social Worker with substantial adoption experience, you will supervise staff, strengthen safeguarding, and

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with substantial post-qualifying experience in adoption.
• Experience of supervising and managing staff.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and best practice in the delivery of quality services.
• Knowledge of the Signs of Safety methodology & what excellent social work practice looks like.
• Ability to analyse information to reach sound decisions, often under pressure, and to report to the Service Manager.

Responsibilities

• Lead Life-Changing Family Finding Work.
• Inspire and Develop a High-Performing Team.
• Champion Children and Families.
• Work Across Regional and National Partnerships.
• Drive Performance and Innovation.
• Be Part of an Ambitious and Forward-Thinking Service.

Skills

Adoption practice

Team leadership

Data-driven improvement

Decision making under pressure

Communication skills

Education

Social Work degree

Job description

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RA

Salary: £49,221 - £53,826 per annum (plus market premium of £3,000) (pro-rata for part-time) (pay award pending)

Working Hours: 37 Per week

Contract Type: 12 months - maternity cover

Closing Date: 24th August 2026

Interview Date(s): TBC

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced adoption professional who shares our ambition, creativity and commitment to achieving the very best outcomes for children.

Are you passionate about finding forever families for children and ready to lead a dynamic, ambitious team? We're looking for an experienced and inspirational Adoption Family Finding Team Manager to make a real difference to children's lives whilst the current manager is on maternity leave.

About the Role

Lead Life-Changing Family Finding Work :

Drive creative and innovative family finding strategies to secure the very best permanence outcomes for children, including those with complex needs and sibling groups.

Inspire and Develop a High-Performing Team :

Lead, motivate and nurture a skilled team of social workers, creating a culture of excellence, innovation and continuous improvement.

Champion Children and Families :

Be an advocate for children waiting for adoption, ensuring their voices remain at the heart of decision-making and that every child has the best possible opportunity to achieve permanence.

Work Across Regional and National Partnerships :

Collaborate with Regional Adoption Agencies and partner organisations, influencing practice and maximising opportunities for children through strong professional networks.

Drive Performance and Innovation:

Use data, quality assurance activity and service insight to improve outcomes, reduce delay and develop innovative approaches to family finding and adopter engagement.

Be Part of an Ambitious and Forward-Thinking Service:

Join a service that is committed to excellence, values creativity, embraces challenge and is determined to achieve outstanding outcomes for children through adoption.

Why Join Us?

• Make a lasting difference to children's lives
• Lead service improvement and innovation
• Work alongside experienced and supportive colleagues
• Influence adoption practice at a local, regional and national level
• Help children find their forever families

An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.

For information on our approach to the recruitment of ex-offenders, please see our policy statement.

About You

• Qualified Social Worker with substantial post-qualifying experience of working with children, ideally with extensive experience of adoption practice
• Experience of supervising and managing staff
• Have In depth safeguarding knowledge and best practice in the delivery of quality services
• Have knowledge of the signs of safety methodology & what excellent social work practice looks like
• Ability to analyse information to reach sound decisions, often under pressure, and to take responsibility for their outcome and regular reporting to the Service Manager.
• Have Excellent presentation skills – written and oral.
• Good at prioritisation and managing a heavy workload & Deliver results to tight deadlines.

In addition, we also expect you to shareour commitment to our valuesandto delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process.

Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability.We are a Disability Confident Employer.

Interested in Flexible Working?

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service. If you would like to discuss the possible flexible working options that might be applicable to this role, please contact the person named below.

For more information or an informal discussion,please contact:

Michelle Robinson, Assistant Service Manager

Telephone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]