Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers to support vulnerable children and families in Wandsworth.
- Company: Join a committed team focused on keeping families together and promoting children's welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days annual leave, flexible working, and a generous pension plan.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your management skills.
- Qualifications: Must hold a social work qualification and have leadership experience in children's services.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive workplace that values diversity and promotes outstanding practice.
The predicted salary is between 48700 - 62450 £ per year.
Overview
Team Manager - Children Looked After (Secondment). Fixed Term / Secondment (1 year). Full Time (36 hours). Location: Wandsworth, London. Ofsted Rating: 'Good'.
About Us
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.
Important 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.
Our Commitment
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 (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.
Team Manager 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
✨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 lead a team, handle challenging cases, and collaborate with multi-agency partners. We want you to shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for working with children and families during interviews. Share stories that highlight your innovative approaches and commitment to keeping families together. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in Wandsworth.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager
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 driven you are to make a difference in the lives of children and families, so share your experiences and motivations clearly.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Team Manager. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant skills that align with our goals at the Children Looked After Service. We love seeing how you can fit into our vision!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences. Avoid fluff and focus on what makes you the best fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end.
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key legislation and guidance relevant to Children Looked After. Brush up on your knowledge of the 'Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families Thrive' framework, as this will show your commitment to the role and the values of the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience within Children's Social Care Services. Think about times when you've successfully led a team or managed a challenging situation, and be ready to discuss how you can inspire and support your future team of Social Workers.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion
Express your genuine passion for working with vulnerable children and families. Share personal anecdotes or experiences that illustrate your dedication to making a positive impact in their lives, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could include inquiries about the team's current challenges or how they measure success in their work. It shows you're engaged and genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
