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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting disabled children and young people, making a real difference in their lives.
- Company: Join Suffolk County Council, dedicated to positive change and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable children.
- Qualifications: Postgraduate qualification and leadership experience in children's services required.
- Other info: Embrace innovation in a collaborative environment with strong support for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 53788 - 58850 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK\’s leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Job Description
- Suffolk County Council
- Address: Riverside, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ
- Salary: £53,799 per annum (pro rata for part time)
- Hours: 37 hours per week
- Contract: Permanent
This post is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only.
An exciting opportunity has arisen in the role of Social Care Practice Manager in the Lowestoft & Waveney Social Care Teams, based at Riverside, Lowestoft.
Your role and responsibilities
- Manage a team of Social Workers, developing high quality practice and performance
- Ensure children and families are fully involved in planning using Suffolk Signs of Safety and Wellbeing principles
- Take the lead for audit of casework, ensuring case recording is of high quality and in timescale
- Deal with complaints, seeking early resolution where possible
- Effectively manage budgets and team resources
- Involvement in the recruitment and selection of staff
- Strategic planning and project management
This role also comes at a time of change within the organisation, so the successful candidate will be keen to embrace change and can support the leadership with transforming services in the coming months, as well as someone who is able to work effectively with colleagues across services, including Safeguarding and Family Support.
You will need
- Experience of supervising or mentoring staff effectively, ensuring good practice and successful outcomes
- Ability to manage resources effectively, ensuring quality of delivery and within the allocated budget
- Experience of quality assurance processes, with the ability to interpret data and act on findings
- To be able to lead on practice, and support professional development of the team
- Extensive experience of child protection work, care proceedings and supporting children in need.
- To be a registered social worker with Social Work England.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don\’t meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
Empowering Everyone
We\’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We\’re always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report
For more information
Please contact Steve Blaney for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01502 674649 or emailing Steve.Blaney@suffolk.gov.uk.
How to apply
Step 1
Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx).
Step 2
Click \’Apply Now\’ to start your online application.
Step 3
Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template.
1. Can you share an example of when you have led or contributed to a significant transformation or change initiative within a social care setting? How did you approach the challenges, engage your team, and ensure the changes were successfully embedded?
2. Give an example of how you have ensured that children and families were actively involved in planning and decision-making. What approaches did you use, and what was the outcome?
3. Describe a situation where you dealt with a complaint or conflict within your team. What steps did you take to seek early resolution?
4. Can you provide an example of how you have managed budgets and team resources effectively to deliver quality outcomes?
5. How do you demonstrate a commitment to fairness, equality, diversity, and inclusion in your work?
Step 4
Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date
11.30pm, 02 December 2025
Interview date
08 December 2025
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.
About Us
As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We\’re driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities.
In return, you\’ll enjoy:
- up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days
- membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits
- performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase
- training and encouragement to expand your knowledge
- a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation
- diverse and active staff networks
- flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day
Plus lots more!
If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk).
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Practice Manager employer: Suffolk County Council
Contact Detail:
Suffolk County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those already working at Suffolk County Council. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to managing teams and safeguarding. We recommend using the STAR method to structure your answers – it helps you showcase your experience effectively!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for improving outcomes for disabled children during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing genuine applications that reflect your true self.
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job and Person Profile: Before diving into your application, take a good look at the Job and Person Profile. It’s packed with info about what we’re looking for, so you can tailor your application to show us how you fit the bill.
Craft Your Supporting Statement: Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Make sure you answer the specific questions we've asked, using real examples from your experience. Keep it authentic and personal – we want to hear your voice!
Showcase Your Team Spirit: We love collaboration! Highlight your experiences working with teams or other agencies, especially how you've motivated others and tackled challenges together. This will show us you’re a great fit for our supportive environment.
Apply Through Our Website: When you're ready, make sure to apply through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Don’t forget to double-check everything before hitting submit!
How to prepare for a job interview at Suffolk County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Suffolk Signs of Safety and Wellbeing model. Brush up on your knowledge about safeguarding practices for disabled children and young people, as this will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience in children's services. Think about times when you motivated your team or improved practice within your previous roles. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that same energy to the Disabled Children's Team.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
Since collaboration is key in this role, think of specific instances where you’ve worked with other teams or agencies. Be prepared to explain how you navigated challenges and what the outcomes were, showcasing your ability to work effectively across different groups.
✨Craft Your Supporting Statement
Your supporting statement is crucial! Answer the questions thoughtfully, using real-life examples. Make sure to highlight your commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for disabled children, as this aligns perfectly with the council's values.
