At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to make a real difference in the lives of children in care.
- Company: Bradford Children and Families Trust, dedicated to improving community outcomes.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, £3000 retention payment, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong career growth potential and a commitment to staff wellbeing.
- Why this job: Join a supportive network and shape the future of young lives in a vibrant city.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with leadership experience and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Salary: PO6, SCP 35-38, £51,356 - £54,495 per annum + £3000 Retention, Permanent, 37 hours per week, Based in Bradford.
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as its geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
About the Role
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children in care? We are looking for talented individuals to join our dedicated children in care team in Bradford to help shape the future of young lives. The role of a Team Manager in children in care services is pivotal to our success. Therefore, an ability to work within different statutory frameworks and move easily between them is essential. You’ll know how to keep everyone in your team energised and focused on doing the right thing for the children of Bradford.
Managing a team of 6 Social Workers, a Practice Supervisor and a community resource worker, you’ll help us achieve our aim of delivering outcomes for the children in care, driving permanency for our children. You will provide strong leadership, driving continuous improvement, and putting the needs of children first, always.
Here in Bradford, we lead from the front, and we know our most valuable resource is our staff, helping us to meet the needs of our communities. We have built a strong culture of listening to our staff and involving them to ensure every child receives the right help. Bradford is a great place to build your career. You’ll receive an extensive training and support package that will help you develop as a professional, a manageable workload that will enable you to make a difference and the backing of a supportive leadership team.
Bradford is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage and a strong sense of community. You'll be part of a supportive network of professionals dedicated to improving the lives of children. As we continue to grow and evolve, now is the perfect time to join us. Our recent Ofsted report acknowledges our progress, with improvements exceeding expectations ahead of time.
Our approach is also rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect and meaningful relationships with children, families and professionals.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a team of 6 social workers of differing levels, a practice supervisor and a community resource worker.
- Offer reflective supervision to workers, both case and personal.
- Support progression of your workers and tackling poor performance when needed.
- Monitor Performance of your team through audit activity, reflective group supervision and quality assurance activity.
- Undertake audit activity and disseminate learning identified.
- Undertake practice development projects with those who use our services, colleagues, and stakeholders.
- Attend relevant partner agency meetings and service manager meetings.
- Implement and support change within the team and offer a supportive and nurturing leadership style.
- Work to achieve permanency and outstanding outcomes for children and young people through relationship-based practice.
- Chair multi-agency meetings and make decisions linked to a thorough understanding of safeguarding thresholds.
To be successful in this role you will need
- Hold a DIPSW or equivalent qualification and are registered with the Social Work England as a qualified social worker, with at least four years post qualifying experience.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Have supervisory and/or management experience.
- Experienced and expert in managing the delivery of quality outcomes for children and young people.
- An ability to build strong relationships with children, their families, colleagues and partner agencies.
- To be passionate about the development of others.
- To embrace change and strive for excellent practice placing children and young people at the heart of decision making; you will have experience of tackling the most complex needs with enthusiasm, drive, and determination.
Benefits
- Retention Payment: You will be eligible for our annual retention payment of £3000, paid in 12 monthly instalments. This is non contractual (reviewed annually).
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 31 days rising to 34 with service (plus bank holidays).
- Excellent local Government pension.
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure.
- Supportive carer and parental policies.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services.
- Supportive staff networks.
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts, including cost of living support.
- Professional development/support and opportunities for career progression.
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
Closing Date: 20th September 2026. Interviews: TBC.
Team Manager - Children in Care cloned on 21-08-26 12:06:01 in Bradford employer: Bradford Children and Families Trust
Bradford Children and Families Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for both staff and the young people in their care. With a strong focus on professional development, employees are encouraged to grow and advance their skills while making a meaningful impact in the community. The Trust fosters a collaborative work culture that values compassion and commitment, making it an ideal place for those passionate about improving the lives of children and families.
Contact Details:
Bradford Children and Families Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Children in Care cloned on 21-08-26 12:06:01 in Bradford
✨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 Bradford Children and Families Trust.
✨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 Bradford Children and Families Trust!
✨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 Bradford Children and Families Trust, 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 Bradford Children and Families Trust 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 - Children in Care cloned on 21-08-26 12:06:01 in Bradford
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 Bradford Children and Families Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bradford Children and Families Trust! 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 Bradford Children and Families Trust
✨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.
