At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team focused on safeguarding vulnerable adolescents from extra-familial harm.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a proud Borough of Sanctuary championing diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, flexible working, and excellent training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive environment for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work or equivalent, with experience in child protection and multi-agency collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 62634 - 64815 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
An exciting opportunity is available as part of the DfE Pathfinder project. We are seeking an experienced team manager to lead one of the newly established Multi Agency Child Protection Teams.
The team has a particular focus on safeguarding adolescents who may be at risk of, or experiencing, extra-familial harm. This includes young people affected by child criminal exploitation, child sexual exploitation, serious youth violence, peer-on-peer harm, missing episodes and other contextual safeguarding concerns. The team works in close partnership with Police, Youth Justice, Education, Health and Family Help services to strengthen protection planning and improve outcomes for vulnerable adolescents.
The successful candidate will have experience of supervising staff and a thorough knowledge of child protection and PLO/court processes and accompanying legislation. The Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams will be responsible for the following core areas of work:
- Chair or attend all strategy discussions
- Chair the Daily Intelligence Briefing
- Co-work all s47 enquiries with Risk Outside The Home Team & Family Help
- Co-work all child protection cases with Risk Outside The Home Team & Family Help
- Chairing of child protection conferences
- Chair Group Supervision
- Provide QA, consultation & advice across all stages of child protection work
- Co-work all Public Law Outline cases
- Co-work early stages of care proceedings
The successful candidate will have considerable experience of working in frontline operational safeguarding practice and a thorough knowledge of child protection and PLO/court processes and accompanying legislation. You will have experience of leading practice involving adolescents at risk of exploitation, serious youth violence, and other contextual safeguarding concerns would be highly desirable. The successful candidate will be confident in managing complex risk, professional challenge and multi-agency decision making. You will be experienced in building effective working relationships with key partner agencies such as health, education and the police.
The Multi-Agency Child Protection Team operates within the Integrated Adolescent Service and provides specialist oversight of safeguarding concerns involving adolescents. The team leads and coordinates strategy discussions, jointly undertakes Section 47 enquiries, supports child protection planning and provides consultation and quality assurance across the safeguarding partnership. Daily partnership working with Child Exploitation Police, Serious Youth Violence Police, Youth Justice Services, Family First Contact Point and Risk Outside The Home & Family Help Teams is a key feature of the role.
What’s in it for you? Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
This role requires a manager who understands adolescent development and the unique safeguarding challenges faced by teenagers. The successful candidate will be committed to relationship-based practice, understanding risk beyond the family home, and ensuring that young people are supported through coordinated multi-agency safeguarding responses.
The job is primarily based in London Borough of Lewisham, Ground Floor, Old Town Hall, Catford Road, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
To apply for this post, you must have a degree in social work or equivalent qualification and be registered with Social Work England. The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
The recruitment process is anonymous and we don’t accept CVs. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
Diversity Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident 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.
Team Manager - Multi-Agency Child Protection Team – Risk Outside The Home in London employer: Borough of Lewisham
The Borough of Lewisham is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children they serve. With excellent training opportunities and a strong emphasis on collaboration, staff are empowered to grow professionally while making a meaningful impact in the community. Working in Lewisham not only provides a chance to contribute to service development but also fosters a sense of belonging through various supportive networks.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Multi-Agency Child Protection Team – Risk Outside The Home 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 Lewisham.
✨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 Lewisham!
✨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 Lewisham, 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 Lewisham 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 - Multi-Agency Child Protection Team – Risk Outside The Home 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 Lewisham:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Lewisham! 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 Lewisham
✨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.
