At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support families and protect children from harm.
- Company: Essex County Council, committed to safeguarding and community welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive work environment, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while working with a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Degree in Social Work and experience in children's social care required.
The predicted salary is between 69241 - 69241 £ per year.
Fixed Term, Full Time £55,892 to £69,241 per annum
Location: Colchester
Working Style: Fixed-base worker
Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity for up to 6 months.
An exciting opportunity has risen for a Team Manager 6 months secondment in the DBIT North team. The Divisional Based Intervention Team (DBIT) Core Service is a countywide edge of care secondary service comprising of four quadrant-based teams. Each of these teams work closely with referring teams in the area focussing on whole family work where a child/ren is/are at risk of a reactive care episode due to relationship breakdown or other complex circumstances for families. The service works with children of 8 years old and above, and their families and use primarily a Solution Focused Approach as their methodology of intervention.
The Opportunity
The role is pivotal in guiding, supporting and nurturing high quality Solution Focused intervention work within the team and across the service. Your role includes working across the quadrant and county with colleagues, partners and families to ensure families receive the support they require to protect children from harm, to develop their well-being and help families stay together when safe and possible to do so. Working as part of a highly supportive team to ensure all practitioners’ well-being is high on the agenda, ensuring families receive the service at the right level and that interventions are proportionate and promote desired change. To support this the team manager is expected to be in the office a minimum of 3-4 days per week.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Degree in Social Work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent
- Registration with Social Work England as registered Social Worker
- Previous Experience of:
- Delivery of services in Children’s Social Care
- People Management
- Resource planning and management
- Quality assurance and customer care
- Achieving person centred outcomes
- Work with complex statistical, financial and performance information
- Policy development and change management
- Experience of working in a political environment, skills in understanding and responding to different perspectives and taking a cross organisational perspective
Required to work flexibly as required, including evenings and weekends if necessary. You will be committed to Solution Focused, systemic, relationship based social work, providing effective, innovative interventions and with the ability to build good partnerships, both with our external partners and within the organisation.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
Interviews will take place on Thursday 23rd July 2026 at Rowan House, Colchester.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
Team Manager – DBIT Core Service, North Essex in Colchester employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact on families in need. With a strong commitment to professional development and a focus on innovative, solution-focused interventions, team members are empowered to grow within their roles and contribute to the community. Located in Colchester, this role provides the unique opportunity to work collaboratively across the county, ensuring that children and families receive the vital support they require.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager – DBIT Core Service, North Essex in Colchester
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council!
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council, 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council 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 – DBIT Core Service, North Essex in Colchester
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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan Council! 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨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.
