Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team of social workers in children's services.
- Company: Vale of Glamorgan Council is dedicated to improving the lives of children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, free parking, and comprehensive training.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a Social Work Degree and significant experience in a supervisory role.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to professional growth and well-being.
The predicted salary is between 42600 - 49400 £ per year.
Are you an experienced and dynamic Social Worker ready to take on a crucial leadership role at the front door of Children's Services? The Vale of Glamorgan Council is seeking a highly motivated Practitioner Manager / Assistant Team Manager to join their vital Intake and Assessment Team on a permanent basis. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape practice, mentor staff, and ensure high-quality, timely interventions for children and families.
Salary: £49,428 - £52,420 per annum
About the Role:
As a Practitioner Manager / Assistant Team Manager in the Intake and Assessment Team, you will play a pivotal role in leading and supporting a team of social workers who are the first point of contact for new referrals. This is a management position focused on guiding complex decision-making, ensuring robust assessments, and fostering a culture of excellence. Your responsibilities will typically include:
- Providing expert professional supervision, guidance, and mentorship to social workers and students within the team.
- Overseeing the screening and assessment of all initial enquiries, including child protection referrals (Section 47 enquiries), ensuring timely and appropriate responses.
- Supporting the team in making critical decisions regarding the level of need and the appropriate pathway for children and families (e.g., early help, statutory intervention, court proceedings).
- Contributing to the effective management of team resources, performance monitoring, and quality assurance processes.
- Deputising for the Team Manager in their absence, taking responsibility for operational management and decision-making as required.
- Working collaboratively with multi-agency partners to ensure integrated working and effective safeguarding.
- Contributing to the continuous development of practice within the team, embedding a strength-based approach and ensuring adherence to statutory requirements and local policies.
What We're Looking For:
- A Social Work Degree or equivalent relevant degree.
- Significant post-qualifying experience (ideally 5+ years) working with children and families in the UK, with proven experience in a senior practitioner, advanced practitioner, or supervisory/management role within an assessment or "front door" statutory setting.
- Demonstrated ability to manage complex cases, supervise staff, and influence practice.
- Registered with Social Care Wales.
- An up-to-date Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service).
Benefits of Working with Vale of Glamorgan Council (Permanent Staff):
- Generous Pension Scheme: Membership to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
- Competitive Annual Leave: A generous leave allowance, with options to purchase additional days.
- Flexible Working Arrangements: Support for a healthy work-life balance, including agile working and potential for hybrid working (subject to service needs).
- Free Parking: Access to free parking at office locations.
- Comprehensive Training & Development: Regular supervision, continuous professional development opportunities, and access to internal and external training programs.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: Access to employee assistance programs and health support initiatives.
- Staff Recognition Schemes: Awards and initiatives to celebrate employee contributions.
- Supportive Management: A commitment to manageable workloads and approachable management.
Interested? For more details or to apply, call (phone number removed) or email at Seize this opportunity to advance your career in social work with Randstad and Cardiff Council. Apply now to make a difference!
Contact Detail:
Randstad Care Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Children\'s Practitioner Manager / Assistant Team Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges and needs of the Intake and Assessment Team. Understanding the nuances of child protection referrals and the decision-making processes involved will help you demonstrate your expertise during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of Vale of Glamorgan Council. Engaging with them can provide valuable insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which you can leverage to tailor your approach when discussing your leadership style.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing complex cases and mentoring staff. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your ability to influence practice and ensure high-quality interventions for children and families.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest developments in social work practices, particularly those related to strength-based approaches and statutory requirements. Showing that you are up-to-date with current trends will demonstrate your commitment to continuous professional development.
We think you need these skills to ace Children\'s Practitioner Manager / Assistant Team Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in social work, particularly in leadership roles. Emphasise your skills in managing complex cases and mentoring staff, as these are crucial for the Practitioner Manager position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for children's services and your leadership abilities. Mention specific examples of how you've successfully guided teams or made critical decisions in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your Social Work Degree and any additional qualifications. Include your registration with Social Care Wales and mention your Enhanced DBS status to demonstrate your compliance with necessary regulations.
Showcase Your Understanding of the Role: In your application, reflect on the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Discuss how your experience aligns with the needs of the Intake and Assessment Team, particularly in fostering a culture of excellence and integrated working.
How to prepare for a job interview at Randstad Care
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Practitioner Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams, mentored staff, and made critical decisions in previous roles. Highlight your experience in managing complex cases and how you foster a culture of excellence.
✨Understand the Role's Responsibilities
Familiarise yourself with the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. Be ready to discuss how you would approach screening and assessing initial enquiries, as well as your strategies for ensuring timely and appropriate responses to child protection referrals.
✨Emphasise Collaborative Working
The role involves working closely with multi-agency partners. Prepare to discuss your experience in collaborative settings and how you ensure effective safeguarding. Share examples of successful partnerships you've built and maintained in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making skills in complex situations. Think about past experiences where you had to make tough calls regarding children's needs and the pathways for families. Be ready to articulate your thought process and the outcomes of your decisions.
