At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver high-quality services for children in care and their families.
- Company: Join Reading Borough Council, a diverse and inclusive employer committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, and a supportive environment for career growth.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant team dedicated to improving outcomes for the community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in supervising social workers required.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 50000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Assistant Team Manager to join our Kinship & Permanence Service within Children’s Social Care at Reading Borough Council. This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a leadership role where you’ll help shape and deliver high-quality services for children in care, kinship carers, special guardians, and families ensuring the best possible long-term outcomes.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
As an Assistant Team Manager, you’ll play a key role in both practice leadership and team management, supporting the delivery of effective and compliant services. You will:
- Support the Team Manager to deliver all aspects of the Kinship & Permanence Service
- Manage and supervise a small team including professional supervision and development
- Oversee permanency planning, ensuring children achieve stable, long-term placements without delay
- Provide guidance and oversight on complex cases, offering expert advice and decision-making
- Ensure compliance with legislation, policies and quality standards
- Contribute to service development, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Chair professional meetings and support multi-agency working
- Maintain strong relationships with partners across health, education, and social care
About you
You’re an experienced and confident social work professional with a passion for achieving the best outcomes for children and families. You bring a strong understanding of permanence planning and thrive in a role where you can combine hands-on practice expertise with supportive leadership. You’ll be comfortable managing competing priorities and making sound decisions in complex situations. Just as importantly, you’re someone who can inspire and develop others creating a positive, high-performing team environment.
In addition, you will have:
- A recognised Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- Experience of supervising or managing social workers
- Strong knowledge of fostering, special guardianship and permanence frameworks
- A proactive, resilient approach with excellent communication skills
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success.
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment. A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
Closing Date: Sunday 5th July 2026
Interview Date: Week commencing 13th July
Interview Process: To be confirmed
Assistant Team Manager - Adoption and Permanence in Reading employer: Reading Borough Council
Reading Borough Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive environment for career growth within the Children's Services sector. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees benefit from generous holiday entitlements, flexible working opportunities, and a modern working environment in the heart of Reading. The council fosters a collaborative culture where innovation is encouraged, ensuring that every team member can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Team Manager - Adoption and Permanence in Reading
✨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 Reading Borough Council.
✨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 Reading Borough Council!
✨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 Reading Borough Council, 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 Reading Borough Council 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 Assistant Team Manager - Adoption and Permanence in Reading
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 Reading Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Reading Borough Council! 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 Reading Borough Council
✨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.
