Team Manager - Transitions

The Methodist Church in Britain; London Borough of Croydon; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regular professional development

Leadership network

Flexible working (36-hour week, hybrid

Generous annual leave

Local government pension scheme

Job summary

Croydon Council is seeking a permanent Team Manager to lead the Adult Transitions Team, supporting young people aged 14 to 25 as they move into adulthood. You will supervise social workers and family support practitioners, oversee assessments and plans under the Care Act, and promote independent living across children's and adults' services.

The role involves driving high-quality social work standards, managing risk and performance, and building strong partnerships with health, education and

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker required.
• Knowledge of Care Act and Mental Capacity Act.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and inspire a team of social workers, including reflective practice and managing risk and performance.
• Introduce and continually improve high-quality social work standards.
• Ensure staff support young people aged 14 to 25 through transition, maximising choice and independence.
• Support Advanced Social Workers, Experienced Social Workers and Family Support Practitioners in assessments and plans under the Care Act.
• Build and maintain partnership working with health, social care and education stakeholders.
• Give expert professional advice on EHCPs, SEND, Leaving Care, and Children with Disabilities Service.
• Drive cultural and behavioural change in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Oversee professional standards and statutory compliance.
• Contribute to strategic development and share best practices across care networks.

Skills

Care Act knowledge

Mental Capacity Act knowledge

Children Act & SEND legislation

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Leadership & performance management

Education

Qualified social worker

Job description

This permanent team manager post leads the Adult Transitions Team at Croydon Council, which helps young people aged 14 to 25 move into adulthood. The role oversees social workers and family support practitioners in assessments and plans under the Care Act, with a focus on independent living. The post works across children's and adults' services, with partnership work across health, education and the voluntary sector, on a 36-hour week with hybrid working. Social Work England registration is required, and applicants submit a supporting statement on their leadership style.

What the job involves

• Lead, manage and inspire a team of social workers, including reflective practice and managing risk and performance
• Introduce and continually improve high-quality social work standards
• Ensure staff support young people aged 14 to 25 through transition, maximising choice and independence
• Support Advanced Social Workers, Experienced Social Workers and Family Support Practitioners in assessments and plans under the Care Act
• Build and maintain partnership working with health, social care and education stakeholders
• Give expert professional advice to staff, colleagues and partners on EHCPs, working with SEND, the Leaving Care Team and the Children with Disabilities Service
• Work with the Service Manager, council colleagues and external professionals to drive cultural and behavioural change
• Oversee professional standards and ensure compliance with legislation, statutory guidance and transformation agendas
• Contribute to the strategic development of the service, sharing practice across integrated care networks, hospital teams and the voluntary sector
• Guide the team to use resources, including technology and community assets, to enable young people to live independently

Qualifications

• Qualified social worker

Registration & licences

• Registered with Social Work England

Experience

• Proven track record of managing, supervising or leading staff in children's, adults' or transitions services
• Experience of complex safeguarding and professional judgement

Skills & knowledge

• Applied knowledge of the Care Act and Mental Capacity Act
• Deep knowledge of the Children Act and SEND legislation
• Sound knowledge of current legislation and its application in social care
• Excellent communication, including reflective supervision and advice to front-line staff
• Exceptional relationship-building and multi-agency partnership skills
• Strong leadership, performance management and ability to lead cultural change

Other

• High motivation and flexibility
• Commitment to a smooth, timely transition for young people

What’s offered

• Regular professional development
• Supportive, collaborative leadership network
• Flexible working, including a 36-hour week and hybrid working (2 days working from home)
• Generous annual leave
• Local government pension scheme