At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to improve outcomes for children and families in Herefordshire.
- Company: Herefordshire Council, dedicated to safeguarding and supporting children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, relocation support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team committed to continuous improvement and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in child protection and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 44000 - 47000 € per year.
Overview
Our Safeguarding and Support service is made up of six teams, which work out of three locality offices: South Locality (Ross-on-Wye), North Locality (Leominster) and Central Locality (Hereford). Each Team comprises of a Team Manager, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and a team of Family Support Workers. Locality working gives you the opportunity to stay connected, meet new colleagues, and easily access support. We are proud of our restorative approach to social work - a way of working that is firmly embedded in our team culture and management style. Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice: senior managers are always available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases.
The Role
Join us on our Restorative Journey of Improvement and help us achieve the very best outcomes for children and families in Herefordshire. We are looking for a passionate, qualified, and experienced Children’s Social Work Manager to lead one of our six Safeguarding & Support teams. In this role, you will bring your expertise across child in need and child protection work, PLO and pre-proceedings, care proceedings, and adoption. You will lead a team of social workers and family support workers, supported by a Managing Practitioner as part of our new locality structure. We are seeking a leader who is committed to high-quality supervision, clear case direction, and a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children. You will need to be organised, confident in decision-making, and an effective communicator. As part of our service management team, you will help embed strong, relationship-based, restorative practice across the service. Come and be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team dedicated to making a real difference.
About You
- Passionate about driving positive change for children and families through high-quality safeguarding practice, effective risk management, and timely intervention.
- Skilled in analysis, planning, and decision-making, ensuring risks are clearly understood, safety plans are robust, and children's needs are met through strong, evidence-based practice.
- Committed to working collaboratively, inclusively, and creatively with families and multi-agency partners to achieve the best outcomes.
- Resilient, reflective, and confident in leading complex safeguarding work, offering clear case direction and making sound professional judgments.
- Able to thrive in a supportive, fast-paced team environment, contributing to a culture of high-quality supervision, strong practice standards, and continuous improvement.
- Registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW).
We Offer
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
- Team Manager starting salary of HC11 £51,356- £55,915 (plus market supplement of £5,000 per year).
- Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000.
- Welcome payment £10,000 for experienced social workers joining our children's teams.
- Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS).
- Professional development: protected time and budget to support social workers develop themselves and their careers.
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress.
- Generous Annual Leave: 31 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays.
- Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling.
- Payment of professional membership fees.
- Pick your perks - our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits.
Why Choose Us?
Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England's most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference. It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You’ll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks.
How to apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile!
Childrens Social Work Manager - Safeguarding and Support in Leominster employer: Hoople Ltd
Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Children's Social Work Managers dedicated to safeguarding and supporting families. With competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and a strong commitment to professional development, employees can thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact in the community. The picturesque location of Leominster, combined with a focus on relational practice and continuous improvement, makes this an ideal place for passionate professionals to grow and contribute to the well-being of children and young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Social Work Manager - Safeguarding and Support in Leominster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Herefordshire Council on LinkedIn or through social media. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by diving deep into the council's values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for safeguarding and support in your responses. We love it when candidates align with our mission!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Think of specific examples where you’ve led teams or made tough decisions. We want to hear how you’ve positively impacted children and families, so be ready to share those success stories.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions during your interview! This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role and the team. Inquire about the restorative approach we take and how you can contribute to our journey of improvement.
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Social Work Manager - Safeguarding and Support in Leominster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Children's Social Work Manager. Highlight your relevant experience in safeguarding and support, and don’t forget to showcase your leadership skills!
Showcase Your Passion:In your application, let us see your passion for driving positive change for children and families. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out the application form, be clear and concise. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your skills and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right place and we can’t wait to hear from you.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key responsibilities of a Children’s Social Work Manager. Brush up on safeguarding practices, child protection laws, and the restorative approach mentioned in the job description. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show your expertise and commitment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams and driving positive change. Think about specific situations where you’ve provided clear case direction or improved outcomes for children and families. This will demonstrate your ability to lead effectively in a fast-paced environment.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with multi-agency partners, be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Share stories that illustrate your ability to work inclusively and creatively with families and other professionals to achieve the best outcomes.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team culture, support structures, and the council's vision for safeguarding. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it’s the right fit for you.
