At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to transform outcomes for children and families in Stockton-on-Tees.
- Company: Join Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to children's services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a collaborative culture that values professional growth and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while driving innovation in family support services.
- Qualifications: Must have a recognised Social Work qualification and significant experience in children's services.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Lead change. Shape practice. Transform outcomes for children and families. Are you an experienced and ambitious leader ready to influence the future of Family Help in Stockton-on-Tees? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Team Manager to join our Family Help Point within Children's Services at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. We are looking for a passionate Team Manager to join our innovative Family Help Point Service at an exciting point in our transformation journey. This is a unique opportunity to lead within a forward-thinking service that is changing how children, young people and families access support and safeguarding services.
Following the successful launch of the service, we are investing further in our leadership capacity through the creation of an additional Team Manager post. This role offers the chance to lead high-performing practitioners, strengthen partnership working, drive innovation, and help shape the next phase of our Family Help journey. Your leadership will directly influence how we identify need, manage risk and ensure children and families receive the right support at the right time.
As Team Manager, you will lead a skilled and committed multi-agency team responsible for screening contacts, assessing risk, making timely safeguarding decisions and ensuring families receive the most appropriate support at the earliest opportunity. This is more than a management role. It is an opportunity to lead at the heart of children’s services, influence strategic direction, develop exceptional practice and help create lasting positive change for children, young people and families across Stockton-on-Tees.
Working alongside an experienced and supportive management team, you will have the opportunity to:
- Lead and inspire high-performing practitioners.
- Champion strengths-based and systemic practice.
- Support excellent decision-making for children and families.
- Drive innovation and service improvement.
- Build and strengthen multi-agency relationships.
- Contribute to the ongoing development of our Family Help model.
We're looking for a passionate and experienced Social Work leader who:
- Has significant post-qualifying experience within children's statutory services.
- Brings a strong track record of safeguarding practice and managing complex risk.
- Is confident leading teams, providing reflective supervision and developing others.
- Can make sound decisions in fast-paced and challenging situations.
- Has excellent partnership-working and relationship-building skills.
- Shares our ambition to achieve the very best outcomes for children, young people and families.
- Holds a recognised Social Work qualification (e.g. Degree in Social Work, DipSW or CQSW) and is registered with Social Work England.
At Stockton-on-Tees, children are at the centre of everything we do. We are proud of our evolving Family Help approach, our culture of collaboration and our commitment to supporting our workforce to thrive. You’ll join a service that values innovation, professional curiosity, reflective practice and strong leadership. Most importantly, you’ll be part of a team that is making a genuine difference to the lives of children and families every day.
We offer an attractive benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:
- A competitive salary of up to £53,460.
- 27 days annual leave, rising to 32 days after five years' service, plus bank holidays. Additional leave can also be purchased through our flexible leave scheme.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), one of the UK's leading public sector pension schemes, with options to enhance your retirement planning.
- Access to a wide range of employee benefits, including learning and development opportunities, a car lease scheme, employee assistance programme, physiotherapy services, GP online and discounts with major high street and online retailers.
The closing date for applications is 5:00pm on 17 August 2026. We are intending to interview on 2 September 2026 and you will receive notification through North East Jobs if you have been shortlisted. Please note that we’re unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role, so candidates will need to have an existing right to work in the UK.
Team Manager - Family Help Point (Children’s Services) employer: North East Ambition
Centurion Multi-Academy Trust is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional growth of its staff while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. With a competitive salary and a commitment to operational excellence, employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the educational outcomes of pupils and the wider community. Located in a supportive environment, the Trust offers unique opportunities for leadership development and strategic involvement in shaping the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Family Help Point (Children’s Services)
✨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 North East Ambition.
✨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 North East Ambition!
✨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 North East Ambition, 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 North East Ambition 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 Point (Children’s Services)
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 North East Ambition:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to North East Ambition! 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 North East Ambition
✨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.
