At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team supporting children at risk of exploitation and trafficking.
- Company: Join an Outstanding local authority recognised for exceptional children's services.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Access to excellent career development opportunities and relocation assistance.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with significant frontline experience and strong leadership abilities.
Join us as an Assistant Team Manager working in the Willow Team, where you’ll play a vital role in supporting children to achieve positive and lasting change. You’ll help lead our multi-agency specialist child exploitation team that operates across Hampshire working directly with children identified at risk of one or more elements of Missing, Exploitation and Trafficking (MET). You’ll work closely with partner agencies such as health, police and the youth justice service to target and reduce risks in the local community.
We’re proud to be part of a select group of local authorities recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding for the quality and impact of our children’s services. We’re looking for experienced and qualified Social Workers ready to step into a leadership role and help shape our ambitious, child-focused practice.
What you’ll do:
- Support the Team Manager in leading a busy and dynamic child exploitation team
- Provide guidance, oversight, and professional support to frontline social workers
- Help develop and deliver high‑quality services that improve outcomes for children and families
- Make timely, well‑balanced decisions in a demanding environment
- Support the team with complex cases and risk‑based decision‑making
- Contribute to service development and promote high professional standards across the team
What we’re looking for:
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England
- Significant UK-based frontline statutory social work experience, including senior-level practice within Children & Families services
- Proven ability to successfully lead, mentor and support other professionals within multi-disciplinary teams
- Strong knowledge and experience of complex children and family work, including child exploitation
- Excellent assessment and supervision skills
- Confident in making key safeguarding decisions to ensure children are safe and protected at all times
- Proven track record in service development and innovation
Why join us?
- Outstanding support: Regular, reflective supervision and a culture that values your voice
- Flexible working: Including a 9-day fortnight and hybrid options to support work-life balance
- Career development: 5 personal development days per year and access to excellent learning opportunities through our DfE ‘Partner in Practice’ initiative
- Back-office support: Dedicated business support team to free up your time for frontline work
- Relocation assistance: Up to £8,500 available for experienced UK-based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval)
- Wellbeing support: Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice
- Competitive benefits package: Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme
Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date. Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role and therefore it is essential that you already have the right to work in the UK. To learn more about this role, please review our Candidate Pack available on our website. Please click on the Apply button for details.
Social Work Assistant Manager employer: Hampshire County Council
Join a forward-thinking local authority recognised by Ofsted as Outstanding, where you will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated child exploitation team in Hampshire. We offer a supportive work culture with regular supervision, flexible working arrangements, and a strong focus on professional development, ensuring you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. With generous benefits, including relocation assistance and comprehensive wellbeing support, we are committed to fostering your growth and success in this vital role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Assistant Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the social work field, especially those who might know about openings in child exploitation teams. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of current issues in child welfare and exploitation. We want you to showcase your expertise and passion for making a difference, so think about how your experience aligns with the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the position. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Check out our website for more roles and resources. Applying directly through us not only shows your interest but also gives you access to exclusive insights about our team and culture. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Social Work Assistant Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in social work, especially around child exploitation and multi-agency collaboration. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Assistant Team Manager.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a leadership role, don’t forget to emphasise your experience in mentoring and supporting other professionals. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide our team, so share specific examples of how you’ve done this in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to convey your thoughts, and make sure to address all the key points mentioned in the job description. We appreciate clarity!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you can find more information about the position there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hampshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key issues surrounding child exploitation, missing children, and trafficking. Brush up on relevant legislation and best practices in social work. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or mentored colleagues in the past. Think about specific situations where your guidance made a difference. This is crucial for a role that involves supporting frontline social workers and making complex decisions.
✨Understand Multi-Agency Collaboration
Familiarise yourself with how different agencies like health, police, and youth justice services work together. Be ready to discuss how you would facilitate these partnerships to improve outcomes for children and families. Highlight any previous experience you have in this area.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about handling complex cases and making safeguarding decisions. Prepare for scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your critical thinking and decision-making skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
