At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to deliver high-quality, child-focused social work services.
- Company: Leeds City Council, committed to ambitious Children’s Services.
- Benefits: Earn £40.00 per hour with flexible home-working options.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Must have a formal Social Work qualification and SWE registration.
The predicted salary is between 40 - 40 £ per hour.
Location: Farnley Park Hall, Leeds
Authority: Leeds City Council
Pay Rate: £40.00 per hour (Umbrella)
Working Pattern: Mainly Office-Based (Flexible home-working options available)
Contract: Full-Time (Ongoing locum contract)
Sector: Children & Families / Area Social Work Team
Are you an experienced, motivated Social Work Manager looking to lead a dedicated statutory team within an ambitious Children's Services department? Leeds City Council is currently seeking a skilled Team Manager to lead a Children's Area Social Work Team based at Farnley Park Hall. Offering a competitive pay rate of £40.00 per hour, this role provides strong operational leadership across a full spectrum of statutory services while maintaining a clear, child-centred approach.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operational Leadership: Lead, motivate, and direct a team of professional social work staff to ensure high-quality, child-focused service delivery that meets all Local Authority statutory duties.
- Staff Supervision: Provide high-quality formal supervision, performance oversight, and support for Social Workers, an Advanced Practitioner, and a Social Work Assistant.
- Service Delivery Oversight: Direct end-to-end statutory practice across Duty & Assessment, Child Protection (CP), Child in Need (CIN) planning, and Court Proceedings.
- Safeguarding & Quality Assurance: Drive adherence to safeguarding standards, the paramountcy principle, safer recruitment procedures, and statutory compliance.
What We Are Looking For:
- Professional Qualifications: Formal Social Work qualification (DipSW, Bachelor's, or Master's degree) with active Social Work England (SWE) registration.
- Legislative Knowledge: In-depth working knowledge of the Children Act 2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children, court frameworks, and current issues in Children's Social Care.
- Practice Skills: Strong understanding of child development (from early years through adolescence to adulthood), robust risk management, confidentiality, and multi-agency leadership.
Why Apply?
- Competitive Pay Rate: £40.00 per hour.
- Base Location: Established base at Farnley Park Hall with negotiable hybrid working flexibility.
- Comprehensive Scope: Lead a complete multidisciplinary setup including an Advanced Practitioner and Social Work Assistants.
Locum Social Work Team Manager - Children's Services in Leeds employer: Randstad
Leeds City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Social Work professionals. With a competitive pay rate of £40.00 per hour and flexible home-working options, employees benefit from a strong focus on child-centred service delivery and comprehensive professional development opportunities. The council fosters a collaborative culture, ensuring that team members are empowered to lead and innovate within the vital field of Children's Services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Locum Social Work Team Manager - Children's Services in Leeds
✨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 Randstad.
✨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 Randstad!
✨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 Randstad, 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 Randstad 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 Locum Social Work Team Manager - Children's Services in Leeds
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 Randstad:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Randstad! 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 Randstad
✨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.
