Adults Team Manager - Early Help & Wellbeing

Overview

Mental health social care is transforming into a new operational delivery model to improve early intervention and prevention for Essex residents, with a focus on people not currently receiving services or at risk of falling through gaps. The offer ensures Care Act compliance across the system, providing information, advice and guidance, and support to improve wellbeing outcomes. The service includes direct work with adults, undertaking Care Act assessments related to wellbeing outcomes, and Care Act reviews. This post delivers the management of the West Essex Early Help and Wellbeing team and supports the formation of this team. The role requires the ability to lead changes while working across the county during the implementation period.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and support across a team of professionals to deliver a high-quality service with positive outcomes that enable people to live healthily and independently.
• Enable personal and team development.
• Deliver expertise to provide advice and guidance for complex cases in line with legislative and organisational standards.
• Provide an escalation point for complaints and feedback from service users in accordance with policy, fostering positive relationships.
• Implement effective approaches to integrated working with partners, communities, and the voluntary sector to achieve successful outcomes for service users.

Team and Role Context

The Early Help & Wellbeing Team focuses on preventative and early help to connect people experiencing mental wellbeing difficulties and/or neurodivergent conditions to community opportunities, enabling them to achieve personal goals. The Team Manager leads a social care team, holds performance accountability, and contributes to strategy development to ensure responsive services, particularly in supporting adults out of hospital and in the community to avoid admissions. This leader will have a proven ability to operate in a challenging financial environment and to develop innovative solutions and strong partner relationships.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree level qualification in Social Work or Occupational Therapy with current professional registration.
• Strong leadership and behavioural skills with the ability to build a highly motivated, high-performing professional team.
• Experience in a social care setting, dealing with challenging social situations, and building relationships with partner agencies and the local community.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.
• Understanding of budgetary responsibilities and the financial implications of commissioned care packages.
• Experience in a leadership role within Adult Social Care and leading change in a complex environment while delivering best practice within financial constraints.
• Ability to make clear, evidence-based decisions in high-risk, resource-constrained settings.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, complex team.
• Travel across Essex required; driving licence and car (or equivalent mobility) are essential.

Additional Information

In February 2025, Greater Essex joined the Government\’s devolution priority programme, with plans for a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and to equality, diversity and inclusion, including Disability Confident leadership and interview commitments for disabled applicants, veterans, and care leavers who meet the minimum requirements. DBS checks may be required, and registration with the DBS Update Service will be necessary where applicable.

What We Offer

• Ongoing opportunities for continuing professional development
• Flexible working options
• Employee wellbeing and counselling
• Lease car scheme
• Life assurance of three times annual salary
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Volunteering leave
• 27 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing with service
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Employee Networks
• Payment of your Social Work England registration fees