At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a multi-disciplinary team and make complex safeguarding decisions swiftly.
- Company: Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community in South London with over 317,600 residents.
- Benefits: Salary starts at £56,436 per annum, rising to £59,574 including London Weighting.
- Other info: This role is a 12-month secondment or fixed-term contract.
- Why this job: Join an innovative Families First Team focused on early intervention and impactful decision-making.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in front-door services and leading high-performing teams in fast-paced environments.
The predicted salary is between 56436 - 56436 £ per year.
12‑month secondment/FIXED‑TERM contract – Full Time. Salary: £56,436 per annum, rising to £59,574 (including LW).
About Us
Located in the heart of South London, Lambeth Borough is a vibrant community of over 317,600 residents, stretching from Streatham to Waterloo. We are the 9th largest borough in London, with a diverse population speaking over 130 languages and home to significant LGBTQ+ and Portuguese‑speaking communities.
About the Team
The Families First Team (FFT) is an innovative, multi‑agency pilot at the front door of children’s services, designed to help families earlier, make better decisions faster, and prevent unnecessary escalation into statutory intervention. FFT operates a time‑limited, 10‑working‑day assessment and brief intervention model, bringing together social care professionals and embedded specialists to rapidly understand risk, need and family context, and take purposeful action. It is a small, high‑impact, multidisciplinary team working alongside the Initial Response Hub/MASH.
The team approach is:
- Child‑centred and safeguarding‑led
- Evidence‑informed and analytically robust
- Multi‑agency from day one
Following a time‑limited assessment and brief intervention, the team will support clear, confident decisions to:
- Step families down to early help or community support
- Close cases where needs are met
- Escalate appropriately where risks require statutory intervention
FFT is a focused, action‑oriented service designed to reduce drift, improve family experience, and strengthen decision‑making at the earliest point.
Responsibilities
- Lead a flagship front‑door transformation pilot and shape system‑wide decision‑making.
- Hold thresholds and make complex safeguarding decisions at pace.
- Support clear, confident decisions to step families down, close cases, or trigger statutory intervention as appropriate.
- Provide leadership to a high‑performing, multi‑disciplinary team.
Qualifications & Experience
- Strong experience of front‑door or assessment services.
- In‑depth understanding and application of Pan London & CWD Level of Needs thresholds.
- Track record of leading high‑performing teams in fast‑paced environments.
- Excellent risk analysis and decision‑making skills under pressure.
- Ability to challenge constructively and provide clear direction.
- Experience of multi‑agency working and influencing across systems.
- Good communication skills and proficiency in data and information management.
Personal Characteristics
- Calm, decisive and authoritative.
- Committed to timely, proportionate intervention.
- Passionate about improving outcomes through earlier help and smarter systems.
- Motivated by purposeful change and able to bring staff along and inspire them.
Equal Opportunities
At Lambeth, we are dedicated to providing quality services and equal opportunities for all. We are committed to safer recruitment and are proud to be a Stonewall diversity champion, a Living Wage Employer, and to guarantee interviews for all disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria of the role.
Team Manager (Family Help Service) in London employer: London Borough Of Lambeth
Lambeth Borough offers a competitive salary and is committed to equal opportunities. Located in South London, the Families First Team focuses on timely interventions to improve family outcomes. The team is dedicated to creating a positive impact within a diverse community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager (Family Help Service) in London
✨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 London Borough Of Lambeth.
✨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 London Borough Of Lambeth!
✨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 London Borough Of Lambeth, 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 London Borough Of Lambeth 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 Service) in London
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 London Borough Of Lambeth:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough Of Lambeth! 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 London Borough Of Lambeth
✨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.
