At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to support vulnerable children and families in need.
- Company: Join Solihull Council, a supportive local authority making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and a focus on staff wellbeing.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a tangible impact on children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social work qualified with management experience in children's services.
The predicted salary is between 63405 - 63405 £ per year.
Team Manager – Children’s Services Band G 56,293 - 63,405 per annum. Hours: Permanent full-time (37 hours), Monday to Friday with flexible working.
Following our recent Ofsted Good judgement, there has never been a better time to join Solihull Children's Services. With a supportive permanent leadership team and flexible working arrangements, you'll be part of a service committed to achieving the best outcomes for children and families. We currently have 2 opportunities for experienced and committed Team Managers to join our Services:
- Team Manager - Childrens Family Help Team
- Team Manager - Children & Young People we Care For
At Solihull, children and young people are at the heart of everything we do. We are launching eight new Family Help Teams, bringing together skilled professionals to provide timely, relationship-based support that improves outcomes for children and families. Our Family Help Teams are pivotal to the delivery of the national reforms locally, enabling children and families to access more coordinated support from one team around the family.
Each Family Help Team consists of five Social Workers, three Family Support Workers, an Advanced Practitioner and a Team Manager, creating the capacity and expertise needed to deliver meaningful interventions. Teams receive support from a multi-agency Partnership Hub, which includes Domestic Abuse services, Edge of Care, Family Group Conferencing, Youth Justice, Harm Outside the Home, Education inclusion, Educational Psychology, Housing and the Department for Work and Pensions. Together, we provide coordinated support that helps families build on their strengths and achieve lasting change.
The Children We Care For team provides support for children and young people who are in our care long term, for example those children and young people for whom the local authority holds a care order. The team provides ongoing support and services to all children for whom there is no immediate plan to return to the care of their birth family. They also support plans for children to return home where it is considered safe for them to do so. The team is passionate about ensuring that children and young people are only in care for as long as they need to be and wherever possible, grow up within the loving hold of their own families. Where children and young people are unable to live within their families, the team actively pursues permanence for them through long-term fostering or special guardianship order.
We are looking for exceptional candidates who are passionate about improving the lives of children, young people and their families at this critical time, here in Solihull. You will be responsible for the leadership and management of a social work team who work with children and families in need of support, and with some of our most vulnerable children and families. Our social workers are passionate and committed to making a difference in the lives of children subject to child protection plans and/or involved in care proceedings.
As the Team Manager, you will lead on operational developments alongside our partners, as well as working with others to develop services. You will take responsibility for the day-to-day operational management of a team of Social Workers and Family Support Workers, to ensure that children and their families receive a responsive service that promotes and safeguards their welfare. As a key part of the council leadership team, you will also have the opportunity to be creative, influence practice and promote a learning environment where team members can develop their skills, to enable them to do their job well and support children to achieve positive outcomes.
You will be social work qualified, registered with Social Work England and you will have substantial post-qualifying experience of practice with children, families and their carers. You will also have:
- Significant management experience working within a pressurised children’s social work environment
- Knowledge of relevant up-to-date social work legislation, statutory guidance, theories and research and how it impacts on practice
- PQ or Practice Teaching Accreditation, or be working towards/willing to complete
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills, to enable you to build strong relationships with children, young people and their families/carers, as well as wider partners and voluntary agencies
- A full driving license and access to a car, though reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants, where required.
In return, we will agree a bespoke personal development plan; you will have access to our high-quality internal training programme and continuous professional development framework, to enable you to further develop your leadership skills within a friendly, professional working environment. We are a small and friendly local authority with good relationships across the children’s social work service. We also have close partnerships across agencies in the borough, which allow for a culture of support, shared learning and mentoring between agencies.
Our team also enjoy a hybrid approach, working from both their home and our modern offices, as well as various flexible working arrangements and a generous benefits package that includes competitive salaries and payment of SWE registration; a modern working environment; a staff discount scheme; and a strong focus on staff wellbeing, with access to our Employee Assistance programme.
So, if you are ready to lead our ambitious team – and make a tangible impact and positive difference to families’ lives – then we would be delighted to receive your application.
Closing Date: 16 November 2026
Interview Date: 27 November 2026
Please note this recruitment will involve psychometric testing as part of the shortlisting process. This post will require an enhanced DBS and barring list check. Please note: As part of our compliance and safer recruitment requirements, references will be sought for all successful candidates following interview.
Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit.
Team Manager - Children's Social Care employer: Solihull Borough Council
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and innovative work environment for its employees. As part of the Community Occupational Therapy Team, you will benefit from flexible working options, extensive wellbeing initiatives, and a strong commitment to professional development, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of Solihull residents. Join us in shaping the future of Occupational Therapy services and enjoy the rewards of working in a collaborative and inclusive culture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Children's Social Care
✨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 Solihull 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 Solihull 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 Solihull 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 Solihull 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 Team Manager - Children's Social Care
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 Solihull Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Solihull 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 Solihull 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.
