At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team tackling child exploitation and safeguarding vulnerable young people.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking service dedicated to innovative safeguarding practices.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to continuous improvement and creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families through impactful leadership.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in managing multi-agency teams.
The predicted salary is between 57881 - 57881 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37 per week
Salary: NJC Grade H4 SCP 41-46 £52,413 - £57,881 per annum
Closing Date: Monday 27th July 2026 at 23:59
About the Role
We’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced team manager to co‑manage Blackpool’s well established Awaken, child exploitation and missing from home team. Awaken is a multi‑agency team dedicated to tackling all forms of child exploitation and safeguarding vulnerable children and young people. This is an exciting opportunity to join a service that leads the way in responding to Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE), Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), and Missing Children. Our approach is rooted in trauma‑informed practice and relationship‑based work, ensuring interventions build trust and deliver better outcomes for children and families. We are committed to developing a skilled, satisfied workforce and fostering creativity in safeguarding practice.
What You’ll Do
- Provide operational leadership and supervision to social workers and family workers, ensuring high‑quality practice and compliance with statutory safeguarding duties.
- Drive a trauma‑informed, strengths‑based approach across all aspects of service delivery.
- Coordinate responses to all forms of child exploitation, including contextual safeguarding strategies.
- Chair and contribute to multi‑agency meetings, ensuring effective information sharing and joint decision‑making.
- Support workforce development through training, reflective practice, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
- Monitor performance and contribute to service development initiatives that enhance outcomes for children and young people.
- Deliver training to the partnership.
About You
- Proven ability to manage and supervise staff within a multi‑agency setting.
- Excellent communication and partnership‑building skills.
- Knowledge and experience of working with children who are vulnerable to or affected by exploitation.
- Strong understanding of trauma‑informed practice and contextual safeguarding.
- Ability to lead creatively and collaboratively, with a focus on impact and outcomes.
Essential Qualifications
- Social Work qualification (or equivalent) and registration with Social Work England.
- Evidence of continuing professional development in safeguarding and exploitation.
Why Join Us
Be part of a forward‑thinking service committed to relationship‑based practice and trauma‑informed approaches. Work in a co‑located, integrated multi‑agency team tackling exploitation in innovative ways. Contribute to Blackpool’s improvement journey and help shape a service that makes a real difference. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children/vulnerable adults. This post is subject to satisfactory reference history of at least two years, Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check, medical clearance, evidence of any essential qualifications and proof of Right to Work in the UK in accordance with the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and amendments to the exemptions order, which mean that certain offences are ‘protected’ and do not need to be disclosed; guidance on the filtering of offences can be found at New filtering rules for DBS certificates (from 28 November 2020 onwards) - GOV.UK.
Team Manager - Awaken (Wider Exploitation Team) employer: Blackpool Council
Join our dedicated Public Health Team in the vibrant seaside town of Blackpool, where you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of adults at risk from drugs, alcohol, and mental health issues. We pride ourselves on offering a supportive work culture with flexible working arrangements, generous annual leave, and a commitment to your professional development through protected CPD time and diverse training packages. If you're looking for a rewarding career that allows you to collaborate with various stakeholders and drive positive change, this is the perfect place for you.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Awaken (Wider Exploitation Team)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Blackpool Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Blackpool Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Blackpool Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Blackpool Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager - Awaken (Wider Exploitation Team)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Blackpool Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Blackpool Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Blackpool Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
