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.
- Other info: Embrace innovation in a collaborative environment with strong support for personal growth.
- 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.
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).
Practice Manager in Lowestoft employer: Suffolk County Council
Suffolk County Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a supportive work culture where collaboration and innovation thrive. As a Practice Manager in the Disabled Children's Team, you will benefit from flexible working options, extensive training opportunities, and a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, all while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in creating positive change and enjoy generous annual leave, a competitive pension scheme, and a variety of career development pathways.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Manager in Lowestoft
✨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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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 Practice Manager in Lowestoft
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 Suffolk County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Suffolk County 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 Suffolk County 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.
