At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a diverse team to support young people and families facing challenges.
- Company: Join Lewisham Council, a supportive and inclusive employer.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, flexible working, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent training and career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and registration required; strong leadership and communication skills essential.
The predicted salary is between 60633 - 62742 £ per year.
We are looking for an inspirational leader for the Family Help Team. The appointment will be for a Social Work qualified Team Manager who will promote the use of evidenced based practice to support positive outcomes for children, typically adolescents who are affected by extra familial harm, the criminal justice and care systems.
In the role of team manager you will be a key member of our leadership team. You will manage a diversified team including advanced practitioners, social workers and family practitioners. You will be responsible for the professional development of your staff and will lead on practice improvement and development in your team. The Family Help Team Manager will work closely with colleagues across the service and with partnerships to ensure practitioners are undertaking high quality assessments. You will be a skilled and reflective leader with a clear vision of what good practice with young people and families looks like. You will also need to be willing to work in new and innovative ways to ensure families receive the right help at the right time.
The ideal candidate should possess strong leadership skills and be able to inspire, motivate and support the team. They should have excellent technical knowledge and experience of statutory safeguarding practices for children in need of help and protection and children looked after, in the context of intra and extra familial harm.
Our aims:
- We aim to be Trauma Informed, Anti‑Racist and use Restorative, Contextual Safeguarding & Signs of Safety Approaches to deliver interventions to children and their families.
- Strengthen family relationships.
- Increase safety in the community and home to enable young people to live safely within their families.
- Support children and young people to return to the care of their families and local communities.
What’s in it for you:
- Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance.
- Local Government Pension scheme.
- Flexible working and family friendly policies.
- Season ticket and bicycle loans.
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships.
- Supportive staff networks.
What We’re Looking For:
- Value the importance of communication and seeking feedback.
- Can inspire and motivate those they work with, manage and lead.
- Are committed to developing their skills and expertise to deliver an excellent service.
- Are professionally curious and value thinking slowly and calmly in a balanced way.
- Work inclusively, collaboratively with others recognising their strengths.
- Take responsibility and make a positive contribution by focusing on solutions.
- Are transparent, appreciative in enquiry, reflective and learning.
Location: The job is primarily based in Laurence House, Catford, London, SE6 4RU, but we operate a hybrid approach where you will be required to work both in the office and from home on a regular basis.
Special conditions:
- Relevant social work qualification is needed.
- Social Work England registration is required for this job.
- The job is subject to a DBS check (Enhanced).
Diversity: Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.
Salary: £60,633 - £62,742 (SCP 45 - SCP 47). All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Team Manager - Family Help North employer: Lewisham Council
Lewisham Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises professional development and well-being. As a Team Manager in the Family Help Team, you will benefit from excellent training opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a generous holiday allowance, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the community. With a commitment to trauma-informed practices and a focus on collaboration, this role provides a unique chance to lead a dedicated team in a vibrant London location.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Family Help North
✨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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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 - Family Help North
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 Lewisham Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Lewisham 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 Lewisham 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.
