At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers in delivering impactful assessments for children and families.
- Company: Join Dudley Children’s Services, a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Dynamic role with the chance to drive service improvements and manage demand effectively.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in children’s services and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 55461 - 59414 £ per year.
Salary: £55,461 to £59,414 (subject to experience)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Location: Cable Plaza, Waterfront West, Brierley Hill, Dudley
Closing Date: 06/07/2026
Sector: Local Councils
Business Unit: Children's Services
Job Introduction
Ready to lead at the front door of children’s services? We’re looking for a confident, driven and inspiring Team Manager to lead one of our Assessment Teams—a critical service that sits at the front of Dudley Children’s Services, making timely decisions that shape the journey of children and families from the outset. This is a fast‑paced and influential leadership role where your decisions and oversight will directly impact how we safeguard children and support families at the earliest point of intervention. You will lead a team managing high levels of demand, ensuring assessments are robust, timely and focused on achieving the right outcomes. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy leading under pressure, and are passionate about high‑quality practice—this could be the role for you.
Responsibilities
- Lead and support a team of social workers delivering high‑quality assessments
- Oversee timely decision‑making at the front door, ensuring children receive the right response at the right time
- Provide clear direction on complex and high‑risk cases, ensuring effective risk management
- Drive strong performance and quality of practice across a busy and demanding service
- Support your team to work effectively under pressure, maintaining high professional standards
- Ensure assessments are analytical, child‑centred, and outcome‑focused
- Work closely with partners to ensure a coordinated multi‑agency response
- Collaborate with senior leaders to manage demand, improve services, and embed best practice
About you
- Is a qualified, experienced social worker with a strong track record in children’s services
- Has a sound understanding of front‑line services, thresholds, and assessment processes
- Brings strong skills in risk assessment, decision‑making, and service leadership
- Is confident leading in a fast‑paced, high‑pressure environment
- Can motivate, support and develop staff to achieve high standards
- Is organised, resilient and able to manage competing priorities effectively
- Is committed to delivering timely, high‑quality interventions that improve outcomes for children
Why join Dudley?
- Lead at a critical point in the child’s journey, shaping outcomes from the start
- Develop your leadership in a challenging and rewarding front‑line service
- Be part of a supportive and collaborative leadership team
- Play a key role in driving service improvements and managing demand effectively
- Benefit from hybrid working, with an expectation of 3 in‑person office‑based days per week
This is more than a management role. This is your opportunity to lead at the front line of safeguarding, ensuring children and families receive the right help at the right time, and setting the standard for high‑quality assessment practice across the service. If you’re ready to lead with confidence, make critical decisions, and drive meaningful change—we’d love to hear from you.
Equal Opportunities
All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove their right to work in the UK. Please note: Dudley MBC does not currently offer sponsorship for candidates without the Right to Work in the UK.
Team Manager - Assessment Service in Brierley Hill employer: Hurst Green
Dudley MBC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment for those passionate about children's services. As a Team Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team in making impactful decisions that shape the lives of children and families, while benefiting from hybrid working arrangements and a collaborative leadership culture that prioritises professional development and service improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Assessment Service in Brierley Hill
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Hurst Green.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Hurst Green!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Hurst Green, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Hurst Green or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager - Assessment Service in Brierley Hill
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Hurst Green:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hurst Green! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hurst Green
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
