At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers to support vulnerable children and families in Wandsworth.
- Company: Join a committed team at Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to £62,451 salary, 40 days annual leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and experience in children's social care required.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with a focus on equality, diversity, and safeguarding.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 62000 £ per year.
Team Manager, Children Looked After Service
• Up to £62,451 per annum
• Fixed Term / Secondment (1 year)
• Full Time (36 hours)
• Wandsworth, London
• Ofsted Rating: ‘Good’
Can you inspire, encourage and develop excellent social work practice to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people? Our goals and vision are all about keeping families together where it is safe to do so. We work with each family’s strengths to help them meet the challenges they face, alongside supporting our practitioners to do the transformational work needed to reduce or prevent the need for children to be taken into care. When children do need to come into care, we want them to understand why, and we want to support them to achieve stability and permanence as soon as possible.
About The Role
As a Team Manager in the Children Looked After Service, you will be responsible for leading a talented group of five Social Workers. You will be working collaboratively with your colleagues across the department and with partners, to deliver high-quality and responsive social work to some of the most vulnerable children and families in Wandsworth. You will be a valued member of the service and a leader and champion of exemplary practice, able to work with families to make changes, and to achieve early permanence for children when they cannot remain at home.
Essential Qualifications, Skills And Experience
- You will hold social work qualification with Social Work England membership and have completed your ASYE Year.
- Proven experience of working across voluntary and statutory agencies with applied knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance.
- Experience of leadership and management within Children’s Social Care Services, with specific knowledge and interest in services for Children Looked After.
- You will be a passionate and driven social worker who is looking to develop further your management experience in practice with disabled children and their families.
- You will be innovative and creative in your approach to delivering services to children and families and be able to work closely with your team and manager including multi-agency partners to provide a service that meets each child’s needs.
- You will have an understanding and commitment to the changes we are implementing in response to ‘Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families thrive’ and our Outstanding Practice Framework.
If you can see yourself promoting outstanding practice in Wandsworth and would like the opportunity to shape the lives of children and their families, we encourage you to apply for this position.
Contact details
For An Informal Discussion About The Role Please Contact Eric Mensah, Service Manager
Key dates
Closing date: 22 February 2026
Shortlisting date: w/c 23 February 2026
Interview date: w/c 2 March 2026
We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave.
Team Manager - Children Looked After in London employer: London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
Contact Detail:
London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Children Looked After in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in social work and related fields. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips on the application process.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions specific to social work management. Think about how you would handle real-life scenarios that could come up in the role, especially those related to Children Looked After.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, share your experiences and what drives you in social work. Let them see your commitment to making a difference in children's lives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager - Children Looked After in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for social work shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a difference in the lives of children and families. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to this role.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Team Manager in the Children Looked After Service. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We love seeing how you connect your background to our goals!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read and understand, so make sure your key points stand out!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest legislation and guidance related to children's social care. Familiarise yourself with the Ofsted rating and what it means for the service. This shows your commitment and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your experience in managing social workers and how you've inspired them to achieve their best. Be ready to discuss your approach to fostering a positive team environment.
✨Be Family-Centric
Demonstrate your passion for working with families and children. Share specific instances where you've made a difference in a child's life or helped a family overcome challenges. This will resonate well with the interviewers who value family preservation.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare insightful questions about the team's current challenges and the vision for the future. This not only shows your interest in the role but also your proactive approach to understanding how you can contribute to the service's goals.