Group Manager (Children and Families), Permanent
Group Manager (Children and Families), Permanent

Group Manager (Children and Families), Permanent

Full-Time 63132 - 68342 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead teams to deliver high-quality support for children and families in Gloucestershire.
  • Company: Join Gloucestershire County Council, a supportive local authority focused on children's services.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families.
  • Qualifications: Experience in leadership and a passion for improving children's outcomes.
  • Other info: Be part of an award-winning workforce with a strong focus on systemic practice.

The predicted salary is between 63132 - 68342 £ per year.

This is a Gloucestershire County Council job.

Job Location: Gloucestershire

Salary: £63,132- £68,342 per annum

Hours per Week: Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 22/02/2026

This post is open to job share. We are currently recruiting for 2 Group Managers to join our Children and Families Leadership team.

  • East area- Cotswolds and Stroud
  • West area- Forest of Dean and Gloucester

Reward and Support

For all your hard work, you will receive the following:

  • between £63,132- £68,342 per annum subject to experience (pro rata for part-time staff)
  • up to £8,000 relocation package
  • flexible and agile working opportunities
  • 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service (pro rata for part-time staff)
  • option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year (pro rata for part-time staff)
  • family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
  • supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
  • Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
  • access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
  • an in-house Occupational Health service
  • employee discount scheme
  • links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
  • career development and qualification opportunities
  • access to our Social Work Academy
  • Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
  • Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)

*Please note that our relocation policy is subject to terms and conditions.

Right child, right support, right time, every time.

In our recent inspection in June 2025, our Children’s Services have been officially judged as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements. Ofsted also said ‘Leaders have set out a clear vision for delivering success for children, by modelling values and creating a culture where the workforce, children and families feel valued and heard; risk is managed confidently with bottom lines clearly set out.’

This marks an important step in our journey to improve outcomes for our children and young people, and we remain focused on our mission: to continue building on this success and ensure that every child and young person in our county has the opportunity to thrive.

Gloucestershire offers a range of opportunities to develop your career, supported by a phenomenal Social Work Academy offer, a developing systemic practice methodology, an ambitious leadership team and an award-winning workforce.

We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to be part of an authority that takes a relational approach to working with families and focuses on what needs to change in the system around a child and family to enable children to thrive, then consider a role with GCC.

About the team

This role sits within our senior leadership team, you will report directly to the assistant director responsible for your area.

You will play a key part in children’s services leadership to provide oversight of the following:

  • leading and embedding systemic practice with children and families
  • enabling children to remain with birth families wherever possible
  • protecting children who experience or are at risk of significant harm
  • acting as corporate parent to children unable to remain within birth families
  • providing help and support to disabled children and their families
  • providing system leadership as a statutory safeguarding partner

About the role

You will lead your teams in delivering a culture of high-quality practice that achieves good outcomes for vulnerable children and young people, you will establish clear goals and expectations in line with GCC priorities, provide challenging and supportive line management to ensure these are met, and hold your direct reports to account.

Group Manager (Children and Families), Permanent employer: Gloucestershire County Council

Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and positive working environment for Group Managers in Children and Families. With competitive salaries, flexible working options, and a strong commitment to employee development through the Social Work Academy, we empower our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in our community. Join us in a role that not only values your contributions but also provides opportunities for career growth and a chance to be part of a forward-thinking leadership team dedicated to improving outcomes for vulnerable young people.
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Contact Detail:

Gloucestershire County Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Group Manager (Children and Families), Permanent

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Gloucestershire County Council on LinkedIn or through local events. A friendly chat can give us insider info and might just get your foot in the door.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by researching the latest trends in children and family services. We want to see that you’re passionate about making a difference, so be ready to share your ideas on how to improve outcomes for children.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples from your past where you’ve led teams or projects successfully. We love to see how you can inspire others and drive change in a positive way.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our mission to support children and families.

We think you need these skills to ace Group Manager (Children and Families), Permanent

Leadership Skills
Systemic Social Work Practice
Safeguarding Knowledge
Risk Management
Team Management
Communication Skills
Strategic Planning
Performance Management
Cultural Competence
Collaboration Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Empathy
Adaptability
Child Welfare Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Group Manager. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of supporting children and families in Gloucestershire.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Group Manager, you'll be leading teams, so don’t forget to showcase your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past.

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points where necessary to make your key achievements stand out!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our official website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity with Gloucestershire County Council.

How to prepare for a job interview at Gloucestershire County Council

✨Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, dive deep into Gloucestershire County Council's values and recent achievements, especially regarding their Children’s Services. Familiarise yourself with their mission of ensuring every child thrives, as this will help you align your answers with their goals.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a Group Manager, your leadership approach is crucial. Prepare examples that demonstrate how you've successfully led teams in high-pressure situations, particularly in social work or similar environments. Highlight your experience in embedding systemic practice and achieving positive outcomes for children and families.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the challenges they face, and how they measure success in their services. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.

✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect to tackle scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think through potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would address them, particularly around safeguarding and supporting vulnerable children.

Group Manager (Children and Families), Permanent
Gloucestershire County Council
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