At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to improve outcomes for children in care.
- Company: Join Havering Council, committed to safeguarding and supporting young people.
- Benefits: 10 days of learning, supportive environment, and strong leadership commitment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and impactful service improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience managing children's social care teams required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
Service: Starting Well – Safeguarding & Corporate Parenting
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and inspirational Team Manager to lead a Children in Care / Looked After Children social work team within our Safeguarding and Corporate Parenting Service. Reporting to a Service Manager, you will be responsible for the day-to-day operational leadership of the team, ensuring high-quality, child-centred and relationship-based social work practice that delivers improved outcomes for children and young people in our care. Team Managers are integral to our service. You will provide support, challenge and direction, motivating social workers and promoting consistent, high-quality practice in line with legislation, guidance and local priorities. You will be required to attend the office for three days per week.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a statutory Children in Care social work team
- Ensure effective delivery of services in line with legislation, statutory guidance and best practice
- Provide high-quality supervision, appraisal and professional development
- Promote systemic, relationship-based and face-to-face practice
- Ensure robust recording, care planning and permanence planning, evidencing the voice of the child
- Chair and attend multi-disciplinary meetings and reviews
- Manage performance, workloads and delegated budgets
- Work collaboratively with internal and external partner agencies
- Contribute to service development alongside the Service Manager and Head of Service, escalating issues and risks as required
About You
You will hold a recognised Social Work qualification, be registered with Social Work England, and have experience of managing statutory children’s social care teams. You will demonstrate strong knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory responsibilities, with a proven ability to lead, supervise and motivate staff within a systemic model of practice. Experience of working with Children in Care is desirable.
Our Improvement Journey
Following a recent Ofsted inspection, we are undertaking a significant improvement journey to re-establish and strengthen high-quality practice across Children’s Services in Havering. We are looking for committed and resilient leaders motivated to improve services, promote children’s wellbeing, and contribute confidently to sustainable service improvement.
What We Offer
- A 10-day learning and development offer each year
- Access to our Social Care Academy and Systemic Practice framework
- Strong senior leadership commitment to improvement
- A supportive environment focused on professional development and reflective practice
If you are ready to play a pivotal role in shaping our improvement journey and delivering positive outcomes for children and young people, we encourage you to apply. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 25/5/26 however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early. You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed.
Should you require any help or advice with your online application, please contact the Recruitment Helpdesk on 01708 432770.
Additional Information
We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.
The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role. We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.
About Us
With its excellent transport links into central London, extensive town centre regeneration and the highest concentration of green space anywhere in London, Havering has a unique offer as a place to live, work and visit. By making the most of its position and opportunities, Havering is becoming a hub for start-ups and expanding businesses, as well as construction, logistics, engineering and manufacturing industries. Find out why you should work for Havering Council.
Locations
Town Hall (Front), Romford, Essex, RM1 3BB, GB
Team Manager Children in Care in London employer: Havering
Havering Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to professional development, including a 10-day learning and development offer each year and access to the Social Care Academy, staff are empowered to grow and excel in their roles. Located in the vibrant borough of Havering, which boasts excellent transport links and abundant green spaces, employees enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager Children in Care in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work and let them know you're on the hunt for a Team Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on opportunities or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of legislation and best practices in children's social care. We want you to be able to showcase your expertise and how you can lead a team effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your leadership skills! When chatting with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've motivated and developed your team in previous roles. This will show them you’re the right fit for their improvement journey.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager Children in Care in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for working with children in care shine through. We want to see your commitment to improving their lives and how your experience aligns with our mission.
Be Specific:Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your leadership skills and knowledge of relevant legislation. We love seeing how you've made a difference in previous roles, so don’t hold back!
Tailor Your Supporting Statement:Make sure your supporting statement is tailored to the role. Highlight how your qualifications and experiences meet the criteria outlined in the job description. This is your chance to stand out, so make it count!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Havering
✨Know Your Legislation
Make sure you brush up on the relevant legislation and statutory responsibilities related to children in care. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the rules, but that you can apply them effectively in practice.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them. This will demonstrate your ability to provide support and direction, which is crucial for the role.
✨Emphasise Relationship-Based Practice
Be ready to discuss your approach to relationship-based social work. Share experiences where you’ve built strong relationships with children, families, and colleagues, and how this has positively impacted outcomes. This aligns perfectly with the job's focus on child-centred practice.
✨Prepare for Multi-Disciplinary Meetings
Since you'll be chairing and attending multi-disciplinary meetings, think about your experience in this area. Prepare to talk about how you facilitate discussions, manage diverse opinions, and ensure that the voice of the child is heard in these settings.
