At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to support vulnerable children facing exploitation and missing episodes.
- Company: Join Wakefield Council's dedicated Child Exploitation and Missing Service.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive work environment with a focus on wellbeing and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people at risk.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with strong management experience and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 37000 - 46000 £ per year.
Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Then, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team. A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our exceptional Management Team within Wakefield’s Child Exploitation and Missing Service. We are a strong, dynamic and welcoming team, committed to delivering high-quality, child‑centred practice for some of our most vulnerable children and young people.
If you are looking for a leadership role where you can make a tangible impact on children at risk of exploitation and missing, this opportunity could be perfect for you. Whilst the last few years have presented significant challenges, social work in Wakefield continues to thrive. With a stable senior leadership team and a largely permanent workforce, we are confident in our ability to deliver sustained improvement and positive outcomes for our district.
We recognise that social workers are highly skilled professionals working in complex circumstances. Supporting children affected by child exploitation, trafficking, and missing episodes requires resilience, curiosity, and strong professional judgement. At Wakefield, we take an integrated and partnership‑focused approach, working closely with Police, Health, Education, Youth Justice and wider partners to deliver coordinated interventions and reduce risk. Our recent GOOD Ofsted inspection (March 2025) reflects our strong practice model, positive culture, and commitment to continuous improvement.
About the Role
As Team Manager, you will lead a team of skilled practitioners working with children and young people who are at risk of, or experiencing, exploitation and missing episodes. You will:
- Provide leadership, supervision and support to practitioners, including oversight of complex casework
- Drive high-quality practice in risk assessment, safety planning and intervention delivery
- Lead and coordinate multi‑agency responses to exploitation and missing children
- Chair meetings and contribute to complex decision‑making forums
- Ensure practice is informed by contextual safeguarding and trauma‑informed approaches
- Support the identification of emerging risks, themes and community hotspots
- Work with partners to disrupt exploitation, reduce missing episodes and improve outcomes
- Promote continuous learning, reflective practice and service improvement
What will be expected from me?
Managing a team of Child & Family Workers, you’ll help us achieve our aim of delivering outcomes for the children, young people, and families of Wakefield. It’s about showing strong leadership, driving continuous improvement, and putting the needs of children first, always. You will have a strong understanding of multi‑agency working, with the ability to negotiate effectively with partners and colleagues to influence change and strengthen relationships. You’ll know how to keep your team energised, motivated, and focused on achieving the best outcomes for children, adopting a relational and restorative approach to leadership.
Here we’re looking for only the best – those with the skills, motivation, and passion to help us move forwards. You will also:
- Be a qualified and experienced Social Worker with a strong track record in complex casework
- Be able to evidence strong management and leadership experience
- Build and maintain highly effective professional relationships
- Provide both support and constructive challenge to practitioners
- Be passionate about delivering high‑quality services and positive change
- Support the Service Manager and contribute to continuous service improvement
Essential requirements
- Dip.SW, CQSW, BA (Hons) Social Work or equivalent qualification
- Registered with Social Work England
- Strong experience of Multi‑Agency Exploitation / MACE / exploitation hubs
The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and undergo Police vetting.
What can I expect?
- A competitive salary
- Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
- Hybrid working (subject to role suitability)
- Access to high‑quality training programs to advance your career to the next level.
- We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work life balance as well as supportive leadership.
- Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
- Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more.
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.
Name: Caroline Pickard
Tel: 01924 303456
E-mail: carolinepickard@wakefield.gov.uk
Team Manager - Child Exploitation and Missing Team in Wakefield employer: Wakefield Council
Wakefield Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and young people. With a strong, dynamic team and a commitment to high-quality, child-centred practice, employees benefit from a supportive work culture that prioritises professional development, well-being, and work-life balance. The recent GOOD Ofsted inspection highlights our positive environment and continuous improvement ethos, making Wakefield an ideal place for passionate professionals looking to lead and drive change in their community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager - Child Exploitation and Missing Team in Wakefield
✨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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield 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 Wakefield 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 - Child Exploitation and Missing Team in Wakefield
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 Wakefield Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Wakefield 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 Wakefield 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.
