At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support children with disabilities and ensure high-quality social work practice.
- Company: Essex County Council, a dynamic local authority committed to community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and support for career development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on innovation and positive outcomes for service users.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and previous management experience preferred.
The predicted salary is between 55892 - 69241 £ per year.
Permanent, Full Time
£55,892 to £69,241 per annum
Location: Harlow
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and flourish. We have a culture of collaboration, integrity, and compassion, focusing on promoting the development and well-being of children, young people, and their families, while protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners, we deliver a range of early help, family support, and effective social work interventions that build resilience, remove barriers, and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
We have a specialised service supporting Children and Young People with Disabilities across Basildon, Chelmsford, Colchester, and Harlow. We operate through four teams:
- The 0–15 Social Care team
- The 16–25 Social Care team
- Occupational Therapy (OT)
- Preparing for Adulthood (PFA)
The Team Manager leads the team, developing and promoting capabilities while holding individuals accountable for performance and the delivery of improvements. Working closely with the Service Manager, they contribute to the development of strategy and ensure a service that adapts responsively to change. With a proven ability to focus on results, develop innovative solutions and build strong working relationships, this leader will possess a deep understanding of operating within a challenging social and financial environment.
The role is pivotal in guiding, supporting and nurturing high-quality social work practice within the team and across the service. It involves working across the quadrant and county with colleagues, partners and families to ensure families receive the support they require, protecting children from harm and promoting their well-being. Working as part of a highly supportive team, the Team Manager also ensures that Social Worker well-being remains a key priority, that families receive the right level of service, and that interventions are appropriate and proportionate.
Accountabilities
- Lead a team of social workers to deliver a high-quality professional service with positive outcomes.
- Accountable for individual performance, quality assurance, resources and budgets.
- Accountable for the practice of social workers within the team, providing professional and practice supervision, using available tools to address underperformance and coaching to enhance the quality of the practice.
- Responsible for development of individuals to maximise the capability and performance across the team.
- Responsible for the oversight and quality assurance of a range of social work reports and court statements.
- Responsible for responding to complaints and other feedback from service users in accordance with policy and in a way that fosters positive relationships.
- Lead inter-agency collaborative working, where a social work perspective is used to inform and drive decision making.
- Establishing and developing effective approaches to integrated working with partners, communities and the voluntary sector, to achieve successful outcomes for service users.
- Develop the training and tactical service delivery plan for the team.
- Use expertise and professional knowledge to provide advice and guidance for complex cases in line with legislative and organisational standards.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
- Registration with Social Work England as a registered Social Worker
- Previous team manager experience or as a senior practitioner.
- Previous experience working with children with disabilities is preferable.
- Delivery of services in Children’s Social Care
- People Management
- Resource planning and management
- Quality assurance and customer care
- Achieving person-centred outcomes
- Work with complex statistical, financial and performance information
- Policy development and change management
- Experience of working in a political environment, skills in understanding and responding to different perspectives and taking a cross organisational perspective
- Required to work flexibly as required, including evenings and weekends if necessary.
- You will be committed to systemic, relationship based social work, providing effective, innovative interventions and with the ability to build good partnerships, both with our external partners and within the organisation.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Every One’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and career leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.
To contact us with questions regarding this role or for further information, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Team Manager – Children with Disabilities, West Essex in Harlow employer: Essex County Counci
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. With flexible working arrangements and a commitment to professional development, employees are empowered to grow their careers in a dynamic environment that values integrity and innovation. Located in Harlow, this role provides the unique opportunity to contribute to transformational change within one of the largest local authorities in the UK, ensuring that every child receives the support they need to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager – Children with Disabilities, West Essex in Harlow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who have experience with children with disabilities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to team management and social work. Think about your past experiences and how they align with the role of Team Manager. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for supporting children and families during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager – Children with Disabilities, West Essex in Harlow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Team Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Team Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and support a team. Share specific examples of how you've developed others and managed performance in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This will help us see your strengths quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it reaches us directly and allows you to keep track of your application status easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Counci
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of working with children with disabilities. Brush up on relevant legislation, best practices, and the challenges faced in this field. This will show your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Team Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and inspire a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your approach to performance management and professional development.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-life situations. Think about complex cases you've handled before and be ready to discuss your thought process and the outcomes. This will highlight your critical thinking and decision-making abilities.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various partners and stakeholders. Be prepared to talk about your experience in inter-agency collaboration and how you’ve built strong relationships to achieve positive outcomes for families.
