Team Manager - Assessment & Safeguarding Service in Darlington

Job Title: Team Manager - Assessment & Safeguarding Service

Organisation: Darlington Borough Council

Pay Rate: £36.61 per hour

Working Pattern: Hybrid (split between home working and office/site base in Darlington)

Employment Type: Temporary / Locum Contract

About the Role

Darlington Borough Council is seeking an experienced and dedicated Team Manager to lead our Assessment & Safeguarding Service. In this role, you will play a key leadership part in ensuring high standards of child protection, robust assessment practice, and high-quality safeguarding outcomes for vulnerable children and families across the borough.

This position offers a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance of remote/agile working alongside necessary on-site leadership, case supervision, and team presence in Darlington.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational Leadership: Provide strong day-to-day management, direction, and leadership to a team of qualified Social Workers and practitioners within the Assessment & Safeguarding Service.

• Quality & Safeguarding: Oversee statutory assessments, child protection plans, court work, and care proceedings, ensuring all actions adhere to national legislation, statutory guidance, and local policy.

• Supervision & Support: Deliver regular, reflective supervision to social work staff, supporting their professional development, managing caseloads, and prioritising staff wellbeing.

• Performance & Quality Assurance: Monitor team performance targets, conduct regular case audits, and drive continuous improvement to deliver optimal outcomes for children and young people.

• Multi-Agency Working: Maintain and foster effective collaborative working relationships with external partners, including health services, police, schools, and local safeguarding boards.

• Resource & Budget Management: Effectively manage team resources, ensure timely decision-making, and escalate complex risks or budgetary considerations to senior management as required.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Qualification: Professional Degree/Diploma in Social Work (BA, BSc, MA, DipSW, or equivalent).

• Registration: Active registration with Social Work England.

• Experience: Proven experience as a Team Manager or experienced Deputy/Assistant Team Manager within a statutory Children's Social Care setting (specifically Assessment or Safeguarding).

• Knowledge: Deep understanding of current children's legislation (Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children), statutory frameworks, and court procedures.

• Skills: Excellent leadership, decision-making, communication, and risk-management capabilities.

• Compliance: Enhanced DBS check (on the update service) and valid UK driving licence with access to a vehicle for business use.

Benefits hourly pay rate of £36.61/hr.

• Flexible hybrid working environment to support work-life balance.

• Supportive management structure and dedicated multi-agency partners.

Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.

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