At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting early years children and families through innovative programmes.
- Company: Leicestershire County Council, committed to inclusive services for all residents.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment with opportunities for career growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Level 4 qualification in childcare or related field and experience in family services.
The predicted salary is between 43860 - 47829 £ per year.
Organisation: Leicestershire County Council
Work Location: County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RA
Salary: £43,860 - £47,829 per annum (pro-rata for part time) (pay award pending)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Fixed term for (until 31st March 2029) OR Secondment for (until 31st March 2029) - please gain your managers approval prior to applying for secondment.
Closing Date: 19th July 2026
Interview Date(s): 4th August 2026
About the Role
Due to expansion of our Best Start in Life Team we now require another Team Leader. The successful candidate will manage our Best Start inclusion Practitioners, supporting them with the delivery of groups, such as Fabulous Two's, PEEP Learning Together Programme, one of workshops, community outreach work and working closely with our partnership agencies. It is essential that you have an Early Years qualification along with experience of supporting children and their families who may have emerging SEND needs. You will also need a good understanding of the Best Start in Life Strategy, The 1001 Critical Days, current knowledge of issues affecting a child's good level of development and experience of working in partnership with local agencies who also support early years children and their families. Your workers will be based across the county and therefore driving and use of a vehicle is essential. An enhanced with barred list DBS check is required for this post.
About You
To apply for this post, you must be able to evidence in your application how you meet the following criteria:
- Level 4 qualification in a relevant subject, e.g. NVQ4 childcare, teaching qualification, child nursing qualification or significant and demonstrable, relevant knowledge and experience of working within children and family services in a multi-agency environment.
- Experience of supporting staff and teams to maintain, develop and improve outcomes for children and families.
- Significant experience of working with families with a range of difficulties and levels of need.
- Knowledge of child development and the needs of early years children and their families.
- To engage in opportunities for services to collaborate and deliver innovative ways of working and engaging with children, young people and families.
- To work to achieve key performance outcomes at a local and national level as identified within the Quality Assurance Plan.
In addition, we also expect you to share our commitment to our values and to delivering accessible and inclusive services which meet the needs of all of our residents. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these commitments as part of the selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants with a disability. We are a Disability Confident Employer.
Interested in Flexible Working? We are open to discussions about flexible working, which may include part time working, job sharing, term-time working, flexible start and finish times, and hybrid working, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.
Contact Details:
Leicestershire County Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Best Start in Life Team Leader
✨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 Leicestershire County 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 Leicestershire County 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 Leicestershire County 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 Leicestershire County 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 Best Start in Life Team Leader
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 Leicestershire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Leicestershire County 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 Leicestershire County 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.
