Practice Manager - Children with Disabilities

Redbridge Council is seeking an experienced Practice Manager to lead their Children with Disabilities Service. You will manage a skilled team of Social Workers, Senior Practitioners, and unqualified staff, overseeing day-to-day operations, complex casework, and ensuring excellent outcomes for children and families. You will take a hands-on leadership role in managing contacts, referrals, assessments, and child protection enquiries, while fostering a learning culture, mentoring staff, and contributing to service development. Acting as deputy to the Team Manager when required, you will also build strong multi-agency relationships across the borough.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, motivate, and develop a team of qualified and unqualified staff.
• Oversee allocation of new Child and Family Assessments and Child Protection enquiries.
• Support staff with supervision, mentoring, and professional development.
• Lead on complex casework and provide advice, consultation, and guidance to team members.
• Ensure service delivery meets statutory requirements, policies, and best practice standards.
• Contribute to service improvement, team planning, and policy development.
• Represent the Team Manager in meetings, both internal and external.
• Promote a culture of learning, reflection, and high professional standards.

Experience & Skills Required

• Significant post-qualification experience in children’s social care, including Child Protection, Looked After Children, and families in crisis.
• Proven experience of supervising and managing staff and social work students.
• Strong assessment, analytical, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage complex cases.
• Experience of working effectively within multi-agency partnerships and influencing change.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance, including Children Act 1989, Adoption and Children Act 2004, Working Together 2013, and Fostering Regulations and Standards.
• Ability to produce high-quality reports, attend court, and give professional advice.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, able to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.

Qualifications

• Recognised Social Work qualification (CQSW, DipSW, BA Hons Social Work or equivalent)
• HCPC registration
• Post-qualifying practice assessor qualification desirable

This is an exciting opportunity to join Redbridge Council and make a real difference to children with disabilities and their families. You will be supported to lead, develop, and inspire your team while contributing to service improvement and excellent outcomes.