Team Manager – Leeds CSWS Deacon House #000AA6F41

This is a qualified social work post at the level of Team Manager in South Leeds, based at Deacon House (LS14). The Team Manager is responsible for frontline statutory social work, which includes managing a team of 7 social workers, 1 advanced practitioner and a social work assistant. Each social worker has a caseload for vulnerable and at-risk children. The role of the Team Manager is to lead, motivate and direct a team of professional social work staff to deliver a high standard of social work, which places the child at the centre and ensures that statutory duties and responsibilities of the Local Authority are being met. To be the key contact and advisor on safeguarding at a local level.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage and motivate a locally or service-based social work team, including managing caseload levels through appropriately allocated, planned, and supervised work.
• Assist in the development and promotion of services and practice improvements designed to mitigate risk and provide qualitative improvement to the outcomes for children.
• Act as an exemplar in knowledge of social care legal and guidance requirements, policy, procedures, and practice standards.
• Ensure that formal processes, for example proceedings in the child and family courts or Fostering and Adoption panel processes are instigated and managed appropriately in line with the best interests of the child.
• Take a lead on Safeguarding including Safer recruitment, the requirements of Children Act 1989 & 2004, Working Together 2010 and any subsequent legal version updates to ensure a child-friendly and child-focused approach.
• Ensure services meet regulatory requirements as required.
• Act as key contact and provide advice to local professionals, families, elected members and other agencies on child protection law and proceedings.
• Lead on liaison with Police, health and education colleagues in agreeing and applying procedures for action where children may be at risk.
• Provide regular reflective supervision and appraisal to staff members maintaining supervision and appraisal records using the appropriate documentation and associated guidance.
• Provide appropriate support and mentoring to newly qualified social workers ensuring they have a clear understanding of the expectations of the role and receive appropriate development opportunities.
• Actively promote the effective use of resources and manage appropriate financial resources within available budgets and within Council Financial Procedures.
• Instigate and manage quality assurance activity in accordance with practice standards including, for example Case File Audits; ensure that improvements and corrective actions are highlighted and implemented in a timely manner.
• Ensure all case recording meets practice standard guidance in respect of timeliness and quality.
• Promote and instigate appropriate use of information technology, processes, and systems in service delivery, maintaining records and management information to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Manage and deal with complaints in the most efficient and effective manner whilst following any statutory guidance around time frames.
• Resolve complex and extremely challenging situations through using the principles of restorative practice.
• Proactively manage performance of the team across a range of agreed indicators, prepare appropriate reports and undertake management actions to improve performance as necessary.
• Deal with all staff management issues promptly including recruitment & selection, probation of new employees, attendance management, staff supervision, performance, grievance, or disciplinary issues.
• Undertake quality assurance of all reports to formal panels e.g., Adoption Panel, Child Protection Conferences, Family Court Hearings and Fostering Panels.
• Contribute to developing and improving Children’s Services using a creative and innovative approach to service/partnership development and delivery, taking a lead where required.
• Develop and produce team and area plans on an annual basis to ensure delivery of a professional child-friendly and child-focused service which delivers in line with CYPSC Service plans and Service Improvement Plans and to take a lead on Service Development where appropriate.
• Ensure all Team Plans include clear expectations for the year and set achievable targets which are monitored and reviewed at regular intervals.
• Be a visible member of an integrated management team at cluster / area or City Wide level as appropriate and contribute to departmental, multi-agency Regional and National working groups as required.
• Actively promote and deliver partnership working through integrated practice for effective service delivery, ensuring compliance with joint protocols and provide specialist advice as appropriate to partner agencies and integrated services.
• Liaise and negotiate with other professional groups and agencies involved with families, children and young people and represent Children’s Services at key professional forums.
• Undertake investigations under the disciplinary procedures of the Council as and when appropriate.
• Be flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required, commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion and development programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days and events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures such as child protection, equality, diversity and inclusion, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all by working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equality and diversity of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equality and diversity, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• Maintain your own Social Work England Registration and continual, professional development (CPD) requirements.
• The postholder is expected to work within the parameters of the council’s flexibility protocol.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
• The role will work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with other colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers, and other agencies.
• The post will initially be community-based. However, the post holder may be required as part of their duties to work in other locations throughout the city to effectively deliver their duties.

Please note: This is a long-term temporary position with an immediate start available — perfect for experienced professionals ready to make an impact without delay.

What’s on offer:

• Supportive management team with approachable, experienced leaders
• A desirable location with great transport links
• A stable, well-resourced, and encouraging working environment

Why join Semester.co.uk?

• Free ongoing CPD and training opportunities to enhance your skills
• Competitive rates of pay with prompt, reliable payments through our in-house payroll
• Enhanced DBS processing included
• Dedicated, friendly consultant offering tailored support
• Access to a wide range of opportunities in your chosen location

Ready to take the next step? Click ‘Apply’ now to express your interest in this role, or explore other exciting opportunities with Semester.co.uk.