Childrens Social Work Manager - Children in Care in Hereford

Our Children in Care service is made up of three teams. Each Team comprises a Team Manager, Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and Family Support Workers. 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.

We are looking for a Social Work Manager to help us on our improvement journey. Come and join us on our Restorative Journey of Improvement to gain the best for children and families in Herefordshire. We have a strong coproduction ethos in the service helping children feel a sense of belonging, security and supporting them to thrive and achieve. Leading our Children and Young People in Care teams, you will thrive bringing your knowledge and experience to this supportive team, to make a difference. You will work closely with colleagues from multiple professions to ensure that the voice of the child is always heard. This is an exciting opportunity to have a genuine impact on the local authority and help improve and protect the children and young people within it.

Teams are typically made of one senior practitioner and 5 social workers to focus on progressing children’s care plans to achieve permanency and support looked after children to reach their potential. You will be fully qualified (DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent), with significant post qualification social work experience and a recognised social work qualification, plus evidence of CPD and HCPC registration. Your proven record of effective service delivery will include managing staff and budgets, while implementing service and quality improvement methods successfully in pursuit of challenging performance expectations.

About You:

• Passionate about making a difference for children and families through high-quality assessments and early intervention
• Skilled in analysis, planning, and decision-making, ensuring each child’s needs are clearly understood and effectively met
• Committed to working collaboratively, inclusively, and creatively with families and partner agencies
• Resilient, reflective, and confident in managing complex situations and making sound professional judgments
• Able to thrive in a supportive, fast-paced team environment, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and 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

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.

If you’re committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire - where your work truly matters.

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!