At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team to enhance child safeguarding practices.
- Company: Join Kirklees Council, dedicated to improving outcomes for children and families.
- Benefits: Reflective supervision, supportive management, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a forward-thinking service that values innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Shape the future of child protection and make a real difference in children's lives.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in safeguarding and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 37800 - 46200 £ per year.
Are you ready to lead change and help shape the future of child protection practice in Kirklees? This is an exciting opportunity to join Kirklees Council as Team Manager for our new Multi-Agency Child Protection Team. The team has been established in line with the Department for Education’s Families First reforms and represents a significant step forward in how we work with children, families and partners at the front door of safeguarding.
We are looking for an experienced, confident and values-driven social work leader who can help develop and embed this new team, strengthen multi-agency working, and ensure that children and families receive the right response at the right time. You will play a key role in shaping practice, supporting staff, managing risk proportionately and ensuring safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do.
About The Role
As Team Manager, you will be accountable for the development and delivery of a complex range of key services in line with policy, legislation, professional standards and best practice. You will provide strong, visible leadership to the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and work closely with partners across children’s social care, police, health, education and wider safeguarding services. You will report to the Service Manager and Head of Service and will work as part of the wider management team to design, implement and embed service changes that improve outcomes for children and families. This is a key leadership role within a new and developing area of practice, offering the successful candidate the opportunity to influence how Kirklees responds to child protection concerns in a collaborative, timely and child-centred way.
What you will do
- Lead, manage and support the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team to deliver high-quality, child-centred safeguarding practice.
- Ensure risk is identified, understood and managed proportionately, with clear decision-making and effective management oversight.
- Promote a culture of learning, professional curiosity, reflection and continuous improvement.
- Provide high-quality supervision, support and direction to staff, ensuring workloads are appropriate to skill, experience and capacity.
- Work strategically with internal and external partners to develop seamless multi-agency responses across service boundaries.
- Monitor team and individual performance, ensuring records are accurate, timely and support good decision-making.
- Complete audits, analyse information and put improvement plans in place where needed.
- Contribute to service development, transformation and the implementation of the Families First reforms in Kirklees.
- Ensure that children’s voices, experiences and outcomes remain central to practice and service delivery.
What we are looking for
We are looking for a qualified and registered social worker with substantial experience in children’s safeguarding and child protection practice. You will be an effective and supportive leader, able to inspire confidence, develop others and maintain a strong focus on quality, performance and outcomes. You will bring sound professional judgement, strong decision-making skills and the ability to work confidently in a complex multi-agency environment. You will understand the importance of partnership working, relational practice and timely, proportionate responses for children and families. You will also be committed to developing staff, supporting continuous professional development and embedding a culture where learning is shared, practice is strengthened and employees are empowered to deliver effective services.
Why join Kirklees?
In Kirklees, children and young people are at the heart of our vision. We are committed to improving outcomes and working with families and partners in a way that is strengths-based, inclusive and focused on lasting change. Joining us at this stage means you will be part of a forward-thinking service with a real opportunity to shape a new team and influence practice across the safeguarding system. As a Team Manager in Kirklees, you can expect access to reflective supervision, supportive management, peer support and development opportunities to help you continue to grow as a leader. You will be joining a service that values innovation, partnership, professional development and high-quality social work practice.
Our behaviours and expectations
The right behaviours and attitudes are as important to us as the skills you bring to the role. We expect all employees to be positive, honest, respectful, flexible, communicative and supportive, and to model the values and expectations of Kirklees Council.
Team Manager - Multi-Agency Child Protection Team employer: Children's Social Work Matters
Children's Social Work Matters in Hull is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, the organisation offers comprehensive training and development opportunities tailored to all experience levels, ensuring that every social worker can thrive in their role. Located in a vibrant community, employees benefit from a culture that prioritises meaningful outcomes for children and families, making it a rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
Children's Social Work Matters Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Multi-Agency Child Protection 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 Children's Social Work Matters.
✨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 Children's Social Work Matters!
✨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 Children's Social Work Matters, 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 Children's Social Work Matters 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
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 Children's Social Work Matters:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Children's Social Work Matters! 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 Children's Social Work Matters
✨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.
