Practice Manager

Overview

Suffolk County Council – Address: Riverside, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ – Hybrid

Salary: £53,788 – £58,850 per annum (pro rata for part time)

Hours: 37 – flexible working options available

Contract: Permanent

At Suffolk County Council, every role is a chance to create positive change. As a Practice Manager in the Disabled Children\’s Team, you will see the direct impact of your work on the people and places that make Suffolk special. Join us and turn your passion for progress into action.

Reimagine the possibilities.

This is an exciting opportunity for an aspiring Practice Manager who is ready to take on the challenging and rewarding role.

We are a small, specialist service working across the full range of statutory intervention for Children, and Young People and play a key role in supporting and advising other teams regarding disability related issues.

Your role and responsibilities

• manage a team of Social Workers and Family Support Practitioners offering social work services to disabled children and young people from age 0-18 in Suffolk. This will include delivering regular formal supervision
• promote evidence-based practice within your work and that of the team
• operate and develop practice within the team using the Suffolk Signs of Safety and Wellbeing model
• develop practice knowledge within the team regarding safeguarding and promoting the needs of vulnerable disabled children
• develop practice knowledge within the team regarding young people transitioning through to adulthood
• actively contribute to DCYP Management team
• assess and evaluate performance within team to support continual improvement.

You will need

• a relevant professional qualification at postgraduate level or equivalent experience
• proven leadership experience in children\’s services or a related field
• a passion for improving outcomes for disabled children and their families
• strong communication and organisational skills
• a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.

Ideally, you will be someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, embraces innovation, and is committed to continuous improvement.

You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (Word) . 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.

The team

You will be joining an experienced team of practitioners who are invested in this area of work and work hard to support each other across the county. You will experience regular structured supervision as well as opportunities for growth and development within your role.

Empowering Everyone

We\\\’re big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We are 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

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Janet Cooper-Medrano (DCYP Service Manager) on janet.cooper-Medrano@suffolk.gov.uk

How to apply

Step 1 – Read the Job and Person Profile (Word).

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. How do you motivate and support your team/people you support to develop high quality practice and embed effective ways of working?
2. Can you give an example of how you have managed safeguarding concerns for disabled children or young people? What steps did you take to ensure their welfare?
3. Give an example of how you have worked collaboratively with other teams or agencies to support disabled children and young people. How do you constructively challenge partners to continuously improve services and outcomes?
4. Describe your approach to quality assurance and performance management.

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, 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, 6 October 2025.

Promoted as FJ (Featured Job) on Suffolk Jobs Direct

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. #LI-Hybrid

Benefits

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).