At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of Social Workers to drive positive outcomes for children in care.
- Company: Join Southampton City Council, a supportive and rewarding team.
- Benefits: Earn up to £47.50 per hour with hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and a chance to shape future leaders.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Must have Social Work England Registration and significant experience in Children's Social Care.
The predicted salary is between 47.5 - 47.5 £ per hour.
Southampton City Council is seeking an experienced Team Manager to join their Children in Care Team. This is an excellent leadership opportunity for an experienced manager who can provide strong oversight, support practitioners, and drive positive outcomes for children and young people in care.
You will lead a team of Social Workers responsible for Children in Care, ensuring high-quality practice, effective care planning, and timely permanence decisions that promote stability and long-term success for children and young people.
In this role, you will:
- Lead and manage a team of Social Workers within the Children in Care Service
- Provide regular supervision, support, and performance management to staff
- Oversee complex Children in Care cases and permanence planning
- Ensure statutory responsibilities, visits, reviews, and care planning requirements are met
- Drive positive outcomes for children through effective care planning and placement stability
- Provide management oversight on court proceedings and legal planning where required
- Chair professional meetings and contribute to key decision-making forums
- Monitor team performance, caseloads, and compliance with statutory timescales
- Conduct case audits and quality assurance activity to maintain high standards of practice
- Work collaboratively with foster carers, residential providers, education, health services, and partner agencies
What You’ll Need:
- Social Work England Registration
- Social Work Qualification
- Significant post-qualified experience within Children's Social Care
- Previous Team Manager or Assistant Team Manager experience
- Strong Children in Care, Looked After Children, and permanence planning experience
- Experience overseeing court proceedings and legal planning
- Excellent leadership, supervision, and performance management skills
- Strong understanding of statutory legislation and safeguarding frameworks
- Ability to drive performance and support service improvement
Why Sheldon Phillips? Because we actually listen to what you need. We’re not just here to fill roles—we’re here to find you the right fit in a supportive and rewarding team. That’s why social workers trust us to help them take the next step in their careers.
If you want to know more about this Team Manager – Children in Care role in Southampton, give Ellis Russell a call on (phone number removed) – let’s have a chat!
And don’t forget – if you refer a friend and we place them, you’ll get £300 as a thank you! (Terms and conditions apply)
Team Manager in Southampton employer: Sheldon Phillips Ltd
Southampton City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the children they serve. With a focus on professional development, team managers are empowered to lead with confidence, ensuring high-quality practice while enjoying the benefits of hybrid working arrangements. This role not only provides competitive pay but also the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager in Southampton
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd.
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd!
✨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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd, 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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd 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 in Southampton
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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sheldon Phillips Ltd! 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 Sheldon Phillips Ltd
✨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.
