At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers to support children with complex needs and ensure their wellbeing.
- Company: Join the London Borough of Sutton, a vibrant community focused on health and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an exciting transformation in children's services with a focus on SEND support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in social work and management, or a desire to step into leadership.
The predicted salary is between 49056 - 57402 £ per year.
Length of Employment / Contract End Date: Up to 12 months
Working Hours: Full Time
Grade: 9
Salary Range: £49,056 - £57,402 (£59,511 unconsolidated maximum)
Salary Basis: Per annum, pro rata'd to part-time working hours
Leave Entitlement: 28 days
Application Deadline: 28/08/2026, 23:55
Anticipated Interview Date(s): 8th October
About the Role and our Ideal Candidate:
The purpose of this role is to manage a team of 5-6 social workers who will be working with a number of complex children in need, child protection, children looked after and court proceedings. The team manager will provide robust supervision, support and oversight of the work of the social workers to ensure that children are safeguarded, that they thrive and are supported to achieve the best possible outcomes as they approach adulthood.
The job requires:
- Robust oversight of performance, in terms of assessments, plans, visits and measurable outcomes for children
- Good multi-agency working and relationship building as well as the ability to constructively challenge, to ensure well rounded plans are in place for families
- Supporting social workers by working alongside them to chair complex meetings, challenging visits and modelling good practice
- Team work with the other team managers to ensure a consistent service is provided
- Working with social workers to ensure excellent support on a value for money basis, identifying a wide range of options in the voluntary and partnership sector.
- Ensuring that preparation for adulthood work is completed to a high standard by the team.
We are looking for a passionate, motivated and experienced social worker with experience of management, or an ambition to move into management. You will be experienced in working with families to safeguard children with disabilities, have excellent knowledge of appropriate legislation and procedures and have the ability to support those you manage into the best practitioners they can be.
You will have genuine care for and high expectations of what can be achieved for children with SEND and create a team culture and environment that expects the best for the children that we work with.
You will have excellent verbal and communication skills and be able to support workers to create SMART plans with families that are restorative, clear and measurable.
About Us:
Following a restructure of Children's Services in Sutton, in accordance with the Families First Partnership Programme, our Children and Young People's Disability Service has changed into a larger SEND Family Help Service. This is an exciting time for our service, which consists of a social work team of five social workers, which you would manage, and two further family help teams with family help practitioners supporting families. The social workers manage complex CIN, CP, CLA and Court proceedings work and there is a high level of partnership working across our multi-agency network to ensure that children and their families are receiving holistic plans that are family centred and led.
Over the next 18 months, the service is further developing a physically located multi agency SEND Family Hub, so that we can provide robust support to all children with SEND from a welcoming and family focused location, with the SEND Family Help Service meeting the needs of children with a complex and specialist area of need.
Our Offer To You:
As an organisation that values and nurtures talent, we’re committed to helping you fulfil your potential and will offer you a supportive, friendly and collaborative environment to grow and develop your career and skills. We’re constantly striving to improve our ways of working so putting your ideas across however big or small; will be fully encouraged and supported by your colleagues and our dynamic and experienced management team.
Employees have access to a wide range of benefits to enable staff to achieve a work life balance, some of which include:
- A generous annual leave entitlement of 26-32 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata if part-time working hours apply) depending on service and grade
- Enhanced Maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption and dependents leave
- Two volunteering days per year
- Flexible Working - Smarter Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
- Adjustable and agile working arrangements using Google Chromebooks
- Learning and development portal offering a range of courses
- Discounts on a range of local shops, restaurants, gyms and leisure centres
- Interest free season ticket loans
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Bicycle loan facilities and cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle leasing scheme
- Confidential health & wellbeing and counselling support
Application Process:
We understand and recognise the benefits of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace and are embracing AI where appropriate, to boost our productivity and streamline how we deliver our Council services efficiently; to provide the best possible outcomes for our residents and communities. However, we reserve the right to reject applications where it is apparent that AI-generated content has been used in isolation and without personalised responses. At Sutton we value authenticity and are looking for individuals who can clearly demonstrate their own skills, experience and motivation for the role that they are applying for and embrace and demonstrate our PRIDE values.
Here at Sutton we have core values of Transparency and this is to be demonstrated during the application process and completion of the supporting statement and will be further tested at interview and selection stage for those who progress forward.
As part of our award winning Diversity Programme we anonymise all applications received to reduce conscious and unconscious bias enabling every application to be reviewed on the knowledge, skills and experience shown in your application. We encourage our interview panels to be as diverse as possible (age, cultural, neurodiverse etc.) to reduce bias where possible. We are fully committed to removing barriers and enhancing the diversity of our workforce.
We are proud to be a diverse and welcoming Borough and we strive to create a workforce which reflects the community we serve, and instil a sense of belonging in our staff. We celebrate and respect differences and appreciate the value of having a diverse workforce, therefore we welcome applications from under represented groups.
To support our workers and their families we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums and inclusive staff networks who help drive our diversity agenda.
We are also proud to be a disability confident employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for a role. As an accredited London Living Wage Employer all our employees are guaranteed the London Living Wage regardless of their length or type of contract.
The UK has a points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance. Sponsorship availability varies and is subject to eligibility requirements and budget limitations. As a result, we cannot guarantee sponsorship for all roles and will evaluate sponsorship requests on a case‑by‑case basis.
Team Manager (SEND Family Help) employer: LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON
The London Borough of Sutton is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development and community engagement. As a Dance Enrichment Tutor, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of learners with special educational needs, while enjoying a collaborative environment that fosters growth and innovation. With a commitment to quality assurance and a vibrant curriculum, you will be part of a team dedicated to enhancing educational outcomes in a diverse and inclusive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager (SEND Family Help)
✨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 SUTTON.
✨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 SUTTON!
✨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 SUTTON, 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 SUTTON 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 (SEND Family Help)
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 SUTTON:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to LONDON BOROUGH OF SUTTON! 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 SUTTON
✨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.
