At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers to deliver impactful support for children and families.
- Company: Barnet Council, committed to community improvement and employee well-being.
- Benefits: 31 days annual leave, flexible working options, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture focused on continuous learning and high-quality service delivery.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing as a leader.
- Qualifications: Recognised social work qualification and registration with Social Work England required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
This position is open to internal candidates only. Any applications received from external candidates will not be considered and will be automatically rejected.
Important Information for Current Barnet Council Employees: Where possible, employees who have access to Oracle are encouraged to apply via the Opportunity Marketplace (Internal Career Site). This helps to ensure applications are correctly identified as internal and avoids potential delays during the recruitment process.
About Barnet Council: Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.
About the role: An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Team Manager to join our Intervention and Planning Team, leading high-quality practice for children and families who need us most. In Barnet, we are committed to creating a culture where practice excellence, strong relationships, and continuous learning underpin everything we do. We believe that with the right leadership, support, and challenge, social workers can thrive, delivering meaningful, lasting change for children and families.
As a Team Manager, you will lead and inspire a team of social workers to deliver child-centred, strengths-based and relationship-focused practice. You will create a team culture that is inclusive, reflective, and focused on continuous improvement, where high support is matched with high challenge. You will oversee assessments, care planning, and interventions for children subject to statutory safeguarding plans and care proceedings, ensuring that all work is timely, analytical, and grounded in the lived experience of the child. Working collaboratively with partners, you will champion approaches that build resilience and support families to make sustainable change. You will be supported by a strong workforce development programme, enabling you to grow as a leader while embedding Barnet’s values and practice standards across your team.
About you: You will bring:
- Strong knowledge of legislation, policy, and safeguarding practice, with the ability to apply this confidently in complex situations.
- Excellent communication skills, producing clear, analytical, and impactful assessments, plans, and court reports.
- A strong track record of improving outcomes for children and families, and influencing multi-agency partnerships.
- A commitment to relational, strengths-based and restorative practice, ensuring children and families are meaningfully involved.
- The ability to lead with integrity, curiosity and compassion, creating a team environment where staff feel valued, supported and appropriately challenged.
- A passion for delivering high-quality, equitable services that recognise and respond to diversity within our communities.
You must hold a recognised social work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
What we offer: 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays. Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents. Work-life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part-time. A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more. Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership. Excellent training and development opportunities. Employee well-being training programs including confidential employee assistance.
How to apply: Read the job description and person specification before clicking ‘Apply’ to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact Alastair Fabian (Asst head of Service) on alastair.fabian@barnet.gov.uk.
Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.
To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part-time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work-life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking.
Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.
All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.
Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible. Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.
Social Work Team Manager (Internal candidates only) in London employer: Borough of Barnet
Barnet Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its staff, offering a supportive work culture rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning. With generous benefits such as 31 days of annual leave, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, and flexible working options, employees are empowered to achieve a healthy work-life balance while making a meaningful impact in the community. The council's commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare ensures that team members can thrive in a fulfilling environment dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Team Manager (Internal candidates only) in London
✨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 Borough of Barnet.
✨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 Borough of Barnet!
✨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 Borough of Barnet, 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 Borough of Barnet 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 Social Work Team Manager (Internal candidates only) in London
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 Borough of Barnet:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Barnet! 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 Borough of Barnet
✨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.
