Team Manager (Children Looked After) in London

Team Manager (Children Looked After) in London

London Full-Time 56436 - 59674 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Borough of Lambeth

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team of Social Workers to support vulnerable children and families in Lambeth.
  • Company: Join Lambeth Council, a vibrant community-focused organisation in South London.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
  • Other info: Anonymised application process and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in social care.
  • Qualifications: Recognised Social Work qualification and leadership experience in Children's Social Care.

The predicted salary is between 56436 - 59674 € per year.

Full time/Permanent

PO6: £56,436pa rising in annual increments to £59,574pa incl. LW, plus £4,700 pa Market Supplement

About Us:

Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents. Stretching from the dynamic neighbourhood of Streatham in the South to the iconic landmarks of Waterloo in the North, we are proud to be the 9th largest borough in London. Our diversity is our strength, with more than 130 languages spoken, making Lambeth the home of the Windrush generation, London's largest LGBTQ+ community, and a thriving Portuguese-speaking community. It is an exciting time to join Lambeth Council, we have bold ambitions for the future of Lambeth’s communities and residents through our Lambeth 2030 Plan ‘Our Future, Our Lambeth. With exceptional schools, lush green spaces including Brockwell Park, cultural gems like the Black Cultural Archives, and world-renowned institutions such as St Thomas's Hospital, Lambeth offers an enriching and dynamic environment.

About the Team:

We are proud of our recent ‘Good’ Ofsted judgement, reflecting our strong performance and ambition to secure the best possible outcomes for children in Lambeth. Our team is focused on delivering consistently high-quality care, with an emphasis on timely permanence planning, stable placements, and keeping children’s voices central to decision-making. We promote a culture of accountability and reflective practice to continually strengthen performance and improve outcomes. You will be part of a supportive, collaborative environment that values learning, resilience, and shared responsibility. We are committed to your professional growth, offering tailored development opportunities through the Lambeth Academy to help you build your expertise and progress your career.

About the Role:

As a Team Manager in the Children Looked After Service, you will lead a talented team of four Social Workers, driving high-quality, child-centred practice. You will work collaboratively with colleagues across the department and partner agencies to deliver responsive and effective support to some of the most vulnerable children and families in Lambeth. As a valued member of the service, you will be a leader and champion of exemplary practice, empowering your team to work effectively with children and carers to create meaningful change. You will play a pivotal role in securing permanence for children when they are unable to remain at home, ensuring their voices are heard and their futures are prioritised.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

  • You will hold a recognised Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England.
  • You will bring experience of working within a statutory setting, with a strong understanding of relevant legislation, guidance, and court processes, including adoption.
  • You will have leadership and management experience within Children’s Social Care, alongside a clear commitment to improving outcomes for Children Looked After.
  • You will be a passionate and motivated practitioner, committed to developing your management practice.
  • You will demonstrate creativity and flexibility in your approach, building effective relationships with your team, manager, and multi-agency partners to ensure children receive the right support.
  • You will confidently champion and embed Lambeth’s ‘Signs of Safety’ practice model, promoting a strengths-based and purposeful approach across your team.

How to Apply:

To be considered for interview, your CV and supporting statement will clearly evidence how you meet the shortlisting criteria on the personal specification marked “A” for application: JD and Person Specification. We operate an anonymised application process, so be sure to remove personal details when uploading your CV or personal statement.

Recruitment Timelines:

  • Advert closing date: 11:59pm on 07.06.26.
  • Shortlisting: 12.06.26.
  • Interviews: 22.06.26.

Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced Certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Further information about the DBS can be found at www.homeoffice.gov.uk/agencies-public-bodies/dbs. You will be required to undertake a Cifas check. Further information about Cifas can be found here.

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Logan Pillay at lpillay@lambeth.gov.uk.

At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.

Team Manager (Children Looked After) in London employer: Borough of Lambeth

Lambeth Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment in the vibrant community of South London. With a strong commitment to professional development through tailored opportunities at the Lambeth Academy, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and families. Our diverse and inclusive culture, combined with our ambitious Lambeth 2030 Plan, ensures that you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to improving outcomes for our residents.

Borough of Lambeth

Contact Detail:

Borough of Lambeth Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Team Manager (Children Looked After) in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social care, especially those who work in Lambeth or similar environments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about the role and even a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching Lambeth’s values and the ‘Signs of Safety’ practice model. Show us you’re not just a fit for the role but also for our culture and mission to improve outcomes for children.

Tip Number 3

Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially around leadership and child-centred practice. We want to see how you empower your team and make decisions that prioritise children's voices.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Lambeth.

We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager (Children Looked After) in London

Social Work Qualification
Leadership Skills
Management Experience
Knowledge of Relevant Legislation
Understanding of Court Processes
Experience in Statutory Settings
Child-Centred Practice

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Team Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in children's social care and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our mission to improve outcomes for children in Lambeth.

Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to clearly demonstrate how you meet the shortlisting criteria. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. Remember, we’re looking for passion and commitment!

Be Mindful of Anonymity:Since we operate an anonymised application process, make sure to remove any personal details from your CV and supporting statement before uploading. This helps us focus on your skills and experience without bias.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our values there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lambeth

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in the relevant legislation and guidance related to Children Looked After. Brush up on your knowledge of the 'Signs of Safety' practice model, as this will show your commitment to child-centred practice and your ability to lead effectively.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership and management experience within Children’s Social Care. Think about times when you empowered your team or made a meaningful impact on children's lives, as this will resonate with the interviewers.

Emphasise Collaboration

Since the role involves working with various agencies, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Share specific instances where you built effective relationships with multi-agency partners to ensure children received the right support.

Align with Lambeth's Values

Familiarise yourself with Lambeth’s One Lambeth Values and Behaviours. During the interview, reflect these values in your answers, demonstrating how your personal ethos aligns with their commitment to accountability, resilience, and continuous improvement.