At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dedicated team to support children and families in need.
- Company: Cheshire West and Chester, a forward-thinking local authority.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture focused on continuous improvement and positive outcomes.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with experience in children's social care leadership.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Cheshire West and Chester
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent local government benefits
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Hybrid and flexible working available
Lead Positive Change for Children and Families
Cheshire West and Chester is seeking an experienced and motivated Team Manager to lead a dedicated Children in Need Team, supporting children, young people, and families to achieve sustainable improvements in their lives. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled social work leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality practice, developing staff, and ensuring children receive the right support at the right time. You will join a forward-thinking authority committed to relationship-based practice, strong management support, and achieving the best outcomes for children and families.
About the Role
As Team Manager, you will provide operational leadership to a team of social workers and family support professionals managing Children in Need, Child Protection, and Public Law cases. You will be responsible for ensuring effective assessment, planning, intervention, and review processes, while maintaining high standards of safeguarding practice and compliance with statutory requirements.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and managing a Children in Need Team to deliver high-quality services for children and families.
- Providing reflective supervision, support, and professional development to social workers and other team members.
- Ensuring timely and effective assessments, plans, and interventions for children in need and those subject to child protection plans.
- Driving a culture of continuous improvement and excellent social work practice.
- Monitoring performance, quality assurance, and service outcomes.
- Supporting staff with complex decision-making and risk management.
- Working collaboratively with partner agencies including education, health, police, and voluntary sector organisations.
- Ensuring compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, and local procedures.
- Contributing to service development and improvement initiatives across Children's Services.
About You
We are looking for an experienced social work professional with a strong track record of leadership within children's social care.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker with current registration with Social Work England.
- Significant post-qualifying experience within children's social care.
- Experience of managing or supervising social work staff within Children in Need, Child Protection, or Safeguarding services.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, and safeguarding frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience of managing complex cases and supporting effective risk assessment and decision-making.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
- Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and partner agencies.
Desirable
- Management qualification or evidence of leadership development.
- Experience leading service improvement initiatives.
- Knowledge of strengths-based and relationship-based practice models.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Manageable caseloads and strong management support.
- Regular reflective supervision and professional development opportunities.
- Access to learning and leadership programmes.
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
- A supportive and collaborative working culture focused on achieving the best outcomes for children and families.
Social Work Team Manager – Children in Need in Altrincham employer: We Do Social Work
Cheshire West and Chester is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including flexible and hybrid working arrangements. With a strong focus on professional development, manageable caseloads, and a supportive work culture, this role provides the opportunity to lead positive change for children and families while fostering your own growth in a forward-thinking local authority committed to high-quality practice.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Social Work Team Manager – Children in Need in Altrincham
✨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 We Do Social Work.
✨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 We Do Social Work!
✨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 We Do Social Work, 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 We Do Social Work 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 Social Work Team Manager – Children in Need in Altrincham
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 We Do Social Work:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Do Social Work! 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 We Do Social Work
✨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.
