At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic Family Help team to support vulnerable children and families.
- Company: Join Luton Council, dedicated to making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on children's lives while shaping future social care practices.
- Qualifications: Must have Social Work England registration and experience in children's social work.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive team committed to diversity and community service.
The predicted salary is between 47181 - 50269 £ per year.
About The Job
Salary: £47,181 – £50,269 a year plus £5,000 market supplement and £3,203 car benefit allowance
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
Role
We are seeking a committed and experienced Deputy Team Manager to help lead our Family Help team in delivering high-quality early help and child in need services across Luton. Working alongside the Family Help Team Manager, you will play a key leadership role in managing a newly integrated, multi-disciplinary team that includes:
- Social workers and family help practitioners
- Educational and mental health professionals (CAMHS, psychologists, adult mental health nurses, speech and language therapists)
- Community partners (youth workers, police community support officers, DWP work coaches, health visitors, social prescribers, housing officers, domestic abuse workers and more)
You will be instrumental in prioritising support for our most vulnerable children and families, ensuring the right interventions are identified and implemented in line with Luton’s Threshold Framework and Practice Framework.
Key Responsibilities
- Supporting the operational and strategic management of the team to deliver timely, effective and coordinated services
- Providing reflective supervision, practice oversight, and performance monitoring
- Leading on complex casework and supporting professional decision-making in high-risk situations
- Driving quality improvement through audit, feedback and case reviews
- Representing the service at both internal and multi-agency forums
Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
About You
We are looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families through integrated working and evidence-informed practice.
To Be Successful, You Will Have
- Social Work England registration and extensive post-qualifying experience in children’s social work
- A strong understanding of child safeguarding, risk management and legislative frameworks
- Experience of leading, coaching or mentoring social care staff and supporting practice development
- The ability to make confident, balanced decisions in high-risk scenarios
- Strong interpersonal and partnership skills with the ability to influence and negotiate across professional boundaries
- A clear understanding of early help and child in need thresholds and multi-agency delivery
About Us
Luton Council has been selected to deliver the government’s Families First for Children Pathfinder programme. Luton is one of seven new areas in the second wave to be chosen with the aim of protecting vulnerable children from harm and improving services to help more children stay with their families in safe and loving homes. The programme is an amazing opportunity for Luton to shape future social care practice, which includes closer working relationships with our health, police, education and voluntary sector partners.
Children are at the heart of everything we do in Luton, and we are very proud of the tremendous work that is already taking place together with our partners, including the development of our Family Hubs and working towards making Luton a child-friendly town where our children and young people can grow up feeling happy, healthy and secure.
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.
The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough.
Application process
Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However, in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.
Additional Information
We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:
- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
- Friday Funday Socials – One Friday every 2 months where we encourage our staff to get together to socialise after work
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Deputy Team Manager - Family Help employer: Luton Borough Council
Contact Detail:
Luton Borough Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Team Manager - Family Help
✨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.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios relevant to the Deputy Team Manager role. Think about your experiences with child safeguarding and multi-agency collaboration, as these will likely come up.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, make sure to express your commitment to improving outcomes for children and families. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in your previous roles.
✨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 Deputy Team Manager - Family Help
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Deputy Team Manager. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for improving outcomes for children and families! Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in integrated working or evidence-informed practice.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. This will help us quickly see why you're a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can process your application smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Luton Borough Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of child safeguarding, risk management, and the legislative frameworks relevant to the role. Familiarise yourself with Luton’s Threshold Framework and Practice Framework, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading, coaching, or mentoring social care staff. Think about specific situations where you’ve made confident decisions in high-risk scenarios and how you’ve supported your team through complex casework.
✨Demonstrate Interpersonal Skills
This role requires strong partnership skills, so be ready to discuss how you've influenced and negotiated across professional boundaries. Share stories that illustrate your ability to work collaboratively with various community partners and professionals.
✨Align with Their Vision
Understand Luton Council's ambitious 2040 Vision and their commitment to improving outcomes for children and families. Be prepared to express how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to making Luton a child-friendly town.