At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to support children and families through effective assessments and interventions.
- Company: Join Torbay Council, a recognised leader in children's services with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, relocation package, flexible working, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Work in a stunning coastal location with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification and experience in safeguarding services required.
The predicted salary is between 56093 - 59335 £ per year.
Application Deadline: 8 November 2026
Department: Childrens Services
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Torbay Council
Reporting To: Head of Service
Compensation: £56,093 - £59,335 / year
The full time equivalent salary of £56,093 to £59,335 includes an amount for a market supplement of £3,042 per year. This market supplement is reviewed annually.
Job Description & Person Specification
Are you an experienced social work leader looking for your next challenge? Or a Team manager looking for a change? Do you have the skills, passion and determination to support children and families when they need us most? At Torbay Children's Services, we are committed to improving outcomes for children through restorative practice, strong relationships and high-quality social work. Following our recent Ofsted inspection, we are proud to be rated GOOD, recognising the progress we have made and our commitment to delivering effective services for children and families.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Team Manager to lead one of our Assessment & Intervention Teams. This is a key leadership role within Children's Services, providing direction, oversight and professional support to a team of social workers working with children subject to Child in Need, Child Protection and Public Law processes.
About the Role
As Team Manager you will provide effective leadership and management oversight across a busy statutory team, ensuring that children receive timely assessments, robust planning and high-quality interventions. You will lead and support practitioners through complex safeguarding work, oversee decision-making and risk management, and ensure that children remain at the centre of all practice. The role includes managing duty on a rota basis, overseeing Section 47 enquiries and promoting best practice through reflective supervision and professional development. You will be responsible for driving performance, supporting workforce development and creating a positive learning culture where staff feel valued, challenged and supported to deliver excellent outcomes.
What We're Looking For
- Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- Significant experience working with children and families within statutory services.
- Management or supervisory experience within safeguarding services.
- Strong decision-making and risk assessment skills.
- Experience of supporting and developing practitioners through reflective supervision.
- Sound knowledge of current legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding practice.
- The ability to lead change, maintain high professional standards and drive continuous improvement.
Most importantly, you will be passionate about achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people and committed to developing a positive, restorative culture for both families and staff.
Why Join Torbay?
- Competitive salary at Grade L with market supplement attached.
- Up to £15,000 relocation package (subject to criteria).
- Annual retention payment of £3,000 (subject to qualifying service).
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Restorative practice accredited authority.
- Relational, supportive leadership culture.
- Protected learning and development opportunities.
- Comprehensive wellbeing offer including employee assistance support and occupational health services.
- Stunning coastal location on the English Riviera with excellent quality of life.
This post will be carrying out Regulated Activity. As such the post will require an Enhanced Criminal Record Check plus an additional Barred List Check. The check will reveal any spent and unspent convictions and adult cautions (which have not been filtered), any local Police information and a check of either the Adult, Child or Adult and Child Barred Lists.
If you are viewing this advert on a job board, you can access the full job description by placing the below URL into your browser: https://www.torbay.gov.uk/jobs/job-descriptions/team-manager-social-work-qualified/
For an informal chat please contact Mimi Taylor on 07785 926072 or mimi.taylor@torbay.gov.uk. Interviews are expected to be conducted during the week commencing 16th November 2026. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. At times there is a need to close our adverts earlier than the date specified, however, this advert will not close before 30th October. If you are keen to submit an application, please apply as soon as possible.
Skills Essential:
- Significant decision making skills – the ability to analyse information, draw conclusions and effect judgements based on outcomes and risk.
- Proven problem solving skills – the ability to identify causes, make objective and informed judgements that demonstrates emotional resilience and balance.
- Ability to appraise and motivate staff in a way that ensures compliance with policies but also enables individuals to develop.
- Ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners across agency boundaries.
- Ability to plan, organise and use resources effectively and efficiently.
Knowledge Essential:
- Knowledge and understanding of the full range of activities delivered by the Authority and partners in relation to children, young people and families.
- Thorough understanding of the professional practice relating to safeguarding and working with complex families.
- Thorough understanding of the ‘common core’.
- Ability to demonstrate awareness and understanding of equal opportunities.
- Aware of effective management practices.
Experience & Qualifications Essential:
- Posts managing social work teams will require a social work degree and evidence of having met post qualification standards.
- Management qualification to certificate level or equivalent, or a willingness to acquire such in a timely fashion.
- Evidence continued professional development.
- Significant social work qualification experience of working with children and families in the context of current legislation and government initiatives / or minimum of two years post social work qualification experience plus significant management experience in a relevant field working with children and families.
- Experience of managing or supporting others and assuring compliance to policy and procedures.
Team Manager (Assessment & Intervention) - 37 Hours employer: Torbay Council
Torbay Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the families they serve. With flexible hours and hybrid working options, staff can achieve a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful work that directly impacts the community. Opportunities for professional development and training ensure that employees can grow their skills and advance in their careers, making Torbay Council a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager (Assessment & Intervention) - 37 Hours
✨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 Torbay 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 Torbay 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 Torbay 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 Torbay 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 (Assessment & Intervention) - 37 Hours
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 Torbay Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Torbay 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 Torbay 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.
