At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a supportive team to transform adoption processes and outcomes for children.
- Company: Join Hampshire County Council, a top-performing local authority in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and a focus on wellbeing and professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic, inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through high-quality adoption practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified social worker with experience in children's social work and adoption.
The predicted salary is between 48948 - 54423 £ per year.
Job Reference: HCC624603
Salary Range: £48,948 - £54,423 per annum, plus Market Supplement of £1,600 per annum
Work Location: Glen House, Swanwick (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Temporary for 2 years
Closing Date: 31 July 2026
The Role: Are you looking for a challenging and diverse role working as part of a friendly and supportive team, with an opportunity to make a real difference? We are looking for a Team Manager to join our dynamic and innovative Regional Adoption Agency and help us make a positive difference to adoptive families across our region. We provide supportive thorough assessments of prospective adopters in a timely way. As an Adoption Service we are child-centred and ensure that our support is bespoke to our adoption families.
What you’ll do:
- As one of the Stage 2 assessment and support Team Managers, you will be responsible for shaping and defining how we support our families through assessment and the placing of a child within the family.
- You’ll use a strengths-based approach to ensure assessments focus on potential adopters' abilities, resources, resilience, and motivation to adopt.
- With substantial post-qualifying experience in children’s social work you’ll have knowledge of adoption and the needs of children requiring permanence.
- You’ll have excellent assessment skills and will apply your professional knowledge to transform outcomes for individuals, relatives and carers, whilst facilitating effective multi-agency solutions.
- You’ll have proven management experience and exceptional communication skills, with the ability to relate to all different kinds of people.
- A good understanding of Child Protection legislation is important to the role, as is the motivation to grow through personal and professional development.
What we’re looking for:
- A qualified and experienced social worker with substantial post-qualifying experience in children's social work and a sound understanding of adoption, permanence planning, and safeguarding.
- Ability to apply a strengths-based approach, recognising and building on the abilities, resilience, support networks, and motivation of prospective adopters.
- Skilled in completing high-quality assessments, analysing complex information, and making evidence-based recommendations to support positive outcomes for children.
- Strong knowledge of Child Protection legislation, statutory guidance, and adoption regulations.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage effectively with children, families, prospective adopters, colleagues, and partner agencies.
- Experience of working collaboratively within multi-agency environments to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
- Commitment to listening to and learning from service user feedback to continuously improve practice and service delivery.
- A reflective practitioner who is motivated to develop professionally, embrace learning opportunities, and contribute positively to team and organisational development.
- Strong organisational and IT skills, with the ability to maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality records and reports.
- Passionate about achieving permanence and improving the lives of children through high-quality adoption practice.
Why join us?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a passionate and experienced team dedicated to finding safe, stable, and loving homes for children who need permanence. You’ll work in a supportive environment where professional curiosity, strengths-based practice, and innovation are encouraged. We are committed to helping our staff thrive through high-quality supervision, ongoing learning and development opportunities, and a strong focus on wellbeing.
Hampshire County Council is recognised nationally as one of the highest performing local authorities in the UK. A modern, forward-looking local authority, it offers a pleasant, supportive, and collaborative working environment. Hampshire County Council is also a flexible employer interested in making the most of your skills and offers a great work life balance.
Additional Information: This post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.
Team Manager (Stage 2 Assessment And Support) in Southampton employer: ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where community engagement and consumer protection are at the forefront. Employees benefit from a supportive culture that prioritises professional development and collaboration, ensuring that you can grow your skills while making a meaningful impact in safeguarding consumers and promoting fair trade within the borough.
Contact Details:
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager (Stage 2 Assessment And Support) in Southampton
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager (Stage 2 Assessment And Support) in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Team Manager (Stage 2 Assessment And Support) role at ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show ROYAL BOROUGH OF KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
