At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead transformative change in children's social care and improve outcomes for families.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire County Council, a leader in child welfare reform.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team focused on systemic practice and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your leadership career.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 68342 - 68342 £ per year.
Are you looking for an opportunity to progress in your Senior Leadership career, develop experience of leading transformation and change programmes and contribute to changing outcomes for children in Gloucestershire? The Families First Partnership Programme is a national programme leading reforms of the children’s social care and early help system including the introduction of Family Help and Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams to deliver against the ambitions of the Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families Policy Document and Children Wellbeing and Schools’ Bill.
We are looking to appoint an experienced Social Work qualified Group Manager embedded within the multi-disciplinary Families First Partnership Programme Team. This post is a fixed term contract until 31st March 2027. As a subject matter expert, you will be responsible for leading the change and implementation programme of the new Family Help and Multi-Agency Child Protection teams in collaboration with key statutory partners. You will also lead on the development of the programme’s policy development and co-production approach in partnership with the Academy and operational stakeholders.
This is a crucial time for the programme and the post-holder will be instrumental in working alongside the Gloucestershire Senior Leadership Team to implement the new ways of working, supporting excellence in our practice delivery. You will be expected to work closely with teams and services, and may be embedded within some service areas to support implementation delivery where this is required.
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- an excellent knowledge of child protection and legal literacy to interpret new statutory guidance and legislation
- skills in negotiation and collaboration with partners
- strong written and presentation skills
- organisational and project skills
- research driven mindset
- ability to think creatively and horizon scan
- experience of strong practice leadership and service improvement enabling others to achieve good outcomes for children and families
For all your hard work, you will receive the following:
- between £63,132 – £68,342 per annum subject to experience
- flexible and agile working opportunities
- 25.5 days annual leave rising to 30.5 days after 5 years continuous service
- option to purchase 10 days of additional leave per year
- family friendly policies and benefits to help support you and your family
- supportive and positive working environment with regular, robust supervision
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) that provides free, confidential counselling and advice for employees, available 24 hours a day, online and by telephone
- an in-house Occupational Health service
- employee discount scheme
- links to employee networks such as Prism (LGBT+) and the Young Employees Network
- career development and qualification opportunities
- access to our Social Work Academy
- Cycle to Work scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
- Green Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme (eligibility criteria and t&cs apply)
In our recent inspection in June 2025, our Children’s Services have been officially judged as ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ elements. Ofsted also said ‘Leaders have set out a clear vision for delivering success for children, by modelling values and creating a culture where the workforce, children and families feel valued and heard; risk is managed confidently with bottom lines clearly set out.’ This marks an important step in our journey to improve outcomes for our children and young people, and we remain focused on our mission: to continue building on this success and ensure that every child and young person in our county has the opportunity to thrive.
Gloucestershire offers a range of opportunities to develop your career, supported by a phenomenal Social Work Academy offer, a developing systemic practice methodology, an ambitious leadership team and an award-winning workforce. We are a local authority adopting, and training all colleagues in, systemic social work practice. If you would like to be part of an authority that takes a relational approach to working with families and focuses on what needs to change in the system around a child and family to enable children to thrive, then consider a role with GCC.
This role sits within our Senior Leadership Team, you will report directly to the Assistant Director responsible for your area. You will play a key part in children’s services leadership to provide oversight of the following:
- leading and embedding systemic practice with children and families
- enabling children to remain with birth families wherever possible
- protecting children who experience or are at risk of significant harm
- acting as corporate parent to children unable to remain within birth families
- providing help and support to disabled children and their families
- providing system leadership as a statutory safeguarding partner
You will lead your teams in delivering a culture of high-quality practice that achieves good outcomes for vulnerable children and young people, you will establish clear goals and expectations in line with GCC priorities, provide challenging and supportive line management to ensure these are met, and hold your direct reports to account. You will:
- collaborate with Assistant Directors and the Senior Leadership Team leading services through change
- be accountable for the rigorous implementation of the children’s services Families First Partnership Programme’s vision
- support the quality assurance framework to monitor and review performance (both compliance and quality), take action to build on strengths and respond to areas for improvement
- support and liaise with the assistant director to feed into their high-level service delivery planning
- work with the other Group Managers across the county to ensure consistent delivery of high-quality support to children and families
- take on operational lead roles in enhancing and developing practice
As well as your experience, there are some things we require of you to be successfully appointed to this post:
- a full driving licence and willingness to drive
- DBS clearance (Enhanced Adults and Children’s)
- some management and leadership experience
For an informal chat about this role, please contact Becky.Lewis@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
Group Manager in Gloucester employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Gloucestershire County Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming children's services and improving outcomes for families in the community. With a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being, flexible working arrangements, and robust career development opportunities through our Social Work Academy, we empower our staff to lead meaningful change. Join us in a role where your expertise will directly impact the lives of children and families in Gloucestershire, all while being part of a highly regarded team recognised for its commitment to excellence.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Manager in Gloucester
✨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 Group Manager in Gloucester
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.
