Team Manager - Young People's Team

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Knowsley; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Job summary

Knowsley Council is seeking an experienced Team Manager for the Young People’s Team. You will lead social workers and practitioners to deliver improved outcomes for children and families within a committed, improvement-focused service.

The role emphasizes relationship-based practice, workforce development, and reducing caseload pressures, with a strong focus on career development through Knowsley’s Social Work Academy and collaborative leadership support.

Qualifications

• Registered with Social Work England and eligible to practice.
• Strong safeguarding track record with children and young people.
• Experience leading, supervising or developing social workers.
• Ability to make complex decisions and manage risk.
• Ability to build a positive, high-performing team culture.
• Full driving licence with access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop a team of social workers and practitioners.
• Drive high-quality child-centred practice that improves outcomes for children and young people.
• Provide oversight, supervision and support to practitioners.
• Champion relationship-based practice and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with partners to safeguard children and promote permanence.
• Contribute to the ongoing transformation of Knowsley Children's Services.

Skills

Leadership

supervision

Decision making

Risk management

Relationship-based practice

Team building

Public sector experience

Education

Social Work England registration

Job description

We are looking for driven and passionate people to work with us to deliver real benefits for our residents and businesses and become part of the Knowsley Journey

• Location: Nutgrove Villa, Westmorland Road, Huyton , Knowsley , L36 6GA, Hybrid Working
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Hours: 36 hours per week.
• Closing Date: 25/10/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: CVP 0712

Knowsley Council is an award-winning Local Authority, named Local Authority of the Year in the Municipal Journal Awards 2024.

We are an Accredited employer under the Liverpool City Region Fair Employment Charter , demonstrating that we are committed to the principle of fair employment and we are dedicated to providing a healthy, fair, inclusive and just workplace.

Ready to lead a team that's making a real difference?

There's never been a more exciting time to join Knowsley Children's Services.

We're looking for an exceptional Team Manager to lead our Young People's Team, helping us continue our ambitious improvement journey and deliver outstanding services for children and young people.

This is more than a management role. It's an opportunity to shape practice, develop talented social workers, and make a lasting impact on the lives of children and families across Knowsley.

If you're an experienced social work manager who is passionate about relationship-based practice, developing others and driving positive change, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Knowsley?

A service that's moving forward

We're investing significantly in our Children's Services, and the difference is being recognised. Recent Ofsted monitoring highlighted improvements in workforce stability, leadership oversight, reduced caseloads, and positive feedback from practitioners.

Leadership that listens

Your experience, ideas and professional judgement will be valued. You'll work alongside visible and supportive senior leaders who understand social work and are committed to creating the right conditions for excellent practice.

Manage practice, not pressure

We've invested in additional frontline capacity to reduce caseloads and create the space for high-quality, purposeful work with children and families.

Develop your career

Our highly regarded Social Work Academy provides leadership development, coaching, reflective practice and continuous learning opportunities, helping you grow as a leader while developing the next generation of social workers. The Academy will work alongside you in providing opportunities for group supervisions and reflection, targeted CPD and continuous support for practitioners to support them in achieving their career aspirations.

Big ambitions, small enough to make a difference

Knowsley offers the best of both worlds. We're large enough to provide challenge and opportunity, yet small enough for you to see the difference your leadership makes every day.

About the Role

As a Team Manager, you will:

• Lead, inspire and develop a team of social workers and practitioners.
• Drive high-quality, child-centred practice that improves outcomes for children and young people.
• Provide effective oversight, supervision and support to practitioners.
• Champion relationship-based practice and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Build staff confidence, capability and professional curiosity.
• Work collaboratively with partners to safeguard children and promote permanence, stability and positive futures.
• Contribute to the ongoing transformation of Knowsley Children's Services.

Who We're Looking For

We're seeking experienced and motivated social work leaders who:

• Are registered with Social Work England.
• Have a strong track record in safeguarding and supporting children and young people.
• Have experience leading, supervising or developing social work practitioners.
• Are confident making complex decisions and managing risk.
• Can create a positive, supportive and high-performing team culture.
• Are passionate about achieving the very best outcomes for children and young people.
• Hold a full driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
• Competitive salary and generous benefits package
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Reduced caseloads through continued investment
• Strong leadership support and management oversight
• Access to our Social Work Academy
• Excellent opportunities for career progression

Join Us and Help Shape the Future

We're building a service where children and young people can thrive and where social workers are supported to do their very best work.

If you're ready to lead with confidence, inspire excellent practice and be part of a Local Authority that is genuinely committed to improvement, we want to hear from you.

We welcome applications fromresidentsand beyond, regardless of background, belief, or identity, recognising the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applicants.

Please note sponsorship is not available for this role

Please note if a CV and supporting statement does not reflect the person specification it is unlikely to be shortlisted