At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to improve outcomes for children in care and child protection.
- Company: Derbyshire's Children’s Services, committed to effective social work.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, training opportunities, and career progression.
- Other info: Supportive environment with excellent supervision and peer networks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Derbyshire is committed to increasing the number of social workers across our services as part of our strategy to reduce caseloads and promote effective working relationships with children and families through our systemic approach to social work intervention. We have an exciting opportunity for a social work Team Manager, to manage a team of Practice Supervisors, Social Workers and Community Care Workers, within our Chesterfield Locality. The position will cover both Children in Care and Child Protection teams. This role offers progression and development, excellent benefits, and the opportunity to use your skills and experience to genuinely improve outcomes for children and young people in care.
What will you be doing?
- Assist the Head of Service in the efficient and effective delivery of Children’s Services Social Work Service.
- Responsible for leading and managing Social Care team(s).
- Being accountable for the direction, delivery, and performance of the team, incorporating assessment and appropriate management of risk.
- Ensure integrated practice is embedded to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families in the community.
- Maintain and grow key relationships with several stakeholders including Children’s Services senior management team, external partners and agencies, local people, community groups, national professional bodies, and internal partners.
We believe that hard work and commitment to your role should be rewarded, so we offer a package that will ensure you always feel supported and valued:
- Diverse range of cases providing an exciting, challenging and rewarding career.
- Effective leadership and management which helps to reduce risk for our social workers and the children and families they support.
- Excellent supervision and a supportive peer network.
- Access to an excellent range of training and development opportunities, worth over £5000, including leadership and management development.
- Fantastic opportunities to undertake further formal qualifications and career progression through our career pathways.
- DBS check undertaken and paid for by us.
- Social Work England registration fee reimbursed.
- A development programme (specific to your role) – to enable you to gain confidence and competence in your role and regularly network with your peers across the department.
- Systemic training – for supervision and management.
What benefits do we offer you?
- Local Government Pension Scheme.
- Generous annual leave and flexi-time scheme.
- Travel expenses.
- Discount on leisure centre memberships.
- Free car parking at most sites.
- An in-house counselling service.
- Occupational health service.
- Access to sessions with a trained physiotherapist.
- Cycle to work scheme.
Provisional interview date – 23rd January 2026.
Team Manager (Children in Care & Child Protection) in Chesterfield employer: East Midlands Jobs
Derbyshire is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and rewarding work environment for social workers. With a strong commitment to professional development, including access to over £5000 worth of training and leadership opportunities, employees can expect to grow their careers while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the Chesterfield locality. The inclusive work culture, coupled with excellent benefits such as a generous pension scheme and flexible working arrangements, ensures that our team members feel valued and empowered in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager (Children in Care & Child Protection) in Chesterfield
✨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 East Midlands Jobs.
✨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 East Midlands Jobs!
✨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 East Midlands Jobs, 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 East Midlands Jobs 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 & Child Protection) in Chesterfield
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 East Midlands Jobs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to East Midlands Jobs! 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 East Midlands Jobs
✨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.
