At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers to support vulnerable children and families.
- Company: Join a committed team in Wandsworth with a 'Good' Ofsted rating.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 40 days annual leave, and inclusive workplace culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a chance to shape positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your management skills.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and leadership experience in Children's Social Care.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 62000 £ per year.
Ofsted Rating: ‘Good’
Can you inspire, encourage and develop excellent social work practice to make a real difference in the lives of children and young people?
About Us
Our goals and vision are all about keeping families together where it is safe to do so. We work with each family’s strengths to help them meet the challenges they face, alongside supporting our practitioners to do the transformational work needed to reduce or prevent the need for children to be taken into care. When children do need to come into care, we want them to understand why, and we want to support them to achieve stability and permanence as soon as possible.
About The Role
As a Team Manager in the Children Looked After Service, you will be responsible for leading a talented group of five Social Workers. You will be working collaboratively with your colleagues across the department and with partners, to deliver high-quality and responsive social work to some of the most vulnerable children and families in Wandsworth. You will be a valued member of the service and a leader and champion of exemplary practice, able to work with families to make changes, and to achieve early permanence for children when they cannot remain at home.
Essential Qualifications, Skills And Experience
- You will hold social work qualification with Social Work England membership and have completed your ASYE Year.
- Proven experience of working across voluntary and statutory agencies with applied knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance.
- Experience of leadership and management within Children’s Social Care Services, with specific knowledge and interest in services for Children Looked After.
- You will be a passionate and driven social worker who is looking to develop further your management experience in practice with disabled children and their families.
- You will be innovative and creative in your approach to delivering services to children and families and be able to work closely with your team and manager including multi-agency partners to provide a service that meets each child’s needs.
- You will have an understanding and commitment to the changes we are implementing in response to ‘Keeping Children Safe, Helping Families thrive’ and our Outstanding Practice Framework.
If you can see yourself promoting outstanding practice in Wandsworth and would like the opportunity to shape the lives of children and their families, we encourage you to apply for this position.
Contact details
For An Informal Discussion About The Role Please Contact Eric Mensah, Service Manager – Closing date: 22 February 2026 Shortlisting date: w/c 23 February 2026 Interview date: w/c 2 March 2026
We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.
We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave.
Team Manager - Children Looked After (Secondment) in London employer: Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
As a Team Manager in the Children Looked After Service in Wandsworth, you will join a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the vulnerable children and families they serve. With a commitment to professional development, you will have access to extensive training opportunities and a generous benefits package, including 40 days of annual leave, allowing you to maintain a healthy work-life balance while making a meaningful impact in the community.
Contact Details:
Richmond and Wandsworth Councils Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Children Looked After (Secondment) in London
✨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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils.
✨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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils!
✨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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils, 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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils 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 - Children Looked After (Secondment) in London
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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Richmond and Wandsworth Councils! 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 Richmond and Wandsworth Councils
✨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.
