Practice Manager (Internal) in Ipswich

Suffolk County Council

Address: Constantine House, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2DH, Hybrid working

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

Hours: 37 hours per week, Flexible working options available

Contract: Fixed term or Secondment opportunity for up to 1 year to cover Maternity Leave

We’re passionate about improving the future for our service users. If you are too, join us as a Practice Manager in the UASC (Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children) Team and make a huge and meaningful impact. Your innovation and drive will help us to continue improving and evolving. Our opportunities and support will enable you to make a difference and leave a positive, lasting legacy.

Your role and responsibilities

• You will be responsible for advising, supporting and directly supervising a team of Social Workers and Personal Advisors that support the needs of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
• Develop good quality of practice, motivate the team and drive forward continued performance development.
• Confidently make management decisions regarding case work.
• Develop and lead on Immigration and Asylum knowledge and Leaving Care legislation and practice.
• Ensure young people and their families are actively involved in planning to achieve best outcomes.
• Communicate effectively with a range of agencies and help shape future services.

What you will need

• You will need to be social work qualified, HCPC Registered and have a minimum of 3 years post-qualifying experience in adoption, front line social work or relevant childcare settings.
• An understanding of asylum and immigration legislation.
• Evidence of continuing professional development in a management role.
• Management qualification (Desirable).

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

We are a team who specialises with asylum seekers and their immigration matters. Our mission is to help vulnerable people overcome adversity and trauma. We also facilitate our client’s asylum applications in hope of gaining their legal status to remain in the UK (United Kingdom). Everyone in the team is passionate and driven to help young people rebuild their lives after experienced atrocities abroad. Our clients arrive here unaccompanied and often without the ability to speak English. This makes them particularly vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination.

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 Zoe Sage (she/her), Head of Service for Children in Care and Care Leavers, for a casual conversation. You can reach her by either calling 01284 758816 or emailing zoe.sage@suffolk.gov.uk.

If you want to apply for a secondment, read the secondment policy first. Make sure you get permission from your current manager before submitting your application.

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 (Word).

1. Tell us about a time you led and supervised a team of social workers or equivalent practitioners to improve the quality of practice and outcomes for children or young people.

2. Give an example of a complex or high-risk case where you had to make a difficult management decision.

3. Describe a situation where your understanding of immigration or asylum legislation directly influenced planning or outcomes for a young person.

Please note: Without a supporting statement, your interest will not be progressed. Any supporting documents must be in either PDF or MS Word format.

For guidance on completing your application, please see our How to Apply page. We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences, so we encourage you to present your own work and ideas throughout the process.

Do you need any reasonable adjustments to help you to apply? If you are disabled and/or have additional support needs, you can request reasonable adjustments. You can do this by contacting our Recruitment Team at recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or 03456 014412. You can find examples of possible adjustments on our Reasonable Adjustment pages. If you're invited to the next stage, you’ll have another chance to request adjustments.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 27 May 2026.

Interview date: 1 June 2026.

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.