Team Manager - First Contact Team (Adult Social Care) in Wokingham

This job is a fantastic opportunity for a Team Manager to join our First Contact Team in Adult Social Care at Wokingham Borough Council, on a full time, permanent basis. As Team Manager for our First Contact Team, you will lead a vital service at the front door of adult social care. You will provide day-to-day operational management and professional leadership, ensuring residents receive timely, strengths-based information, advice and triage in line with the Care Act. This role is key to making sure people get the right help, at the right time, in a proportionate and preventative way.

At Wokingham Borough Council, we are committed to putting residents at the heart of everything we do, promoting independence, choice and control, and supporting our staff to do their best work. We're a small, supportive council with big ambitions. Our adult social care services were rated among the highest in the country by the CQC in 2025, with two "Outstanding" areas and a strong national score of 81%. We were also ranked the 2nd most productive council in England by the Impower Productivity Index, recognising our strong performance and efficient use of public money. Wokingham Borough Council is proud to be part of the Social Care Future movement, supporting a vision where everyone can live in a place they call home, connected to the people and activities that matter most.

Benefits

• Generous Annual Leave entitlement of 31 days (rising by 5 days after 5 years of continued local government service), plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme (actual contribution details to follow)
• GP Helpline 7 days a week
• Employee Assistance Programme with a 24/7 Your Care confidential helpline
• Free Eye Tests and Flu Vaccines
• Free Onsite Gym (located at Shute End, Wokingham)
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – Car and Cycle to Work
• Local & Lifestyle Discounts – savings on shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and more
• Move through Menopause Course
• Sports & Social Group Activities – running, football, cricket, and more
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Employee Networks

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day running of the First Contact Team, ensuring safe, lawful and effective practice.
• Lead and support staff, promoting high standards, reflective practice and continuous improvement.
• Ensure strong multi-agency working, including leading complex meetings when needed.
• Take responsibility for adult safeguarding, ensuring legal duties and local policies are met.
• Use performance and quality information to improve outcomes and manage demand.
• Understand and respond to the wider pressures the council operates within.

Candidate Requirements

• A Social Work or Occupational Therapy qualification, with current registration with the relevant professional body (SWE or HCPC).
• Proven experience of supervising and/or managing staff within an adult social care or health setting.
• Experience of working collaboratively within multi-agency environments.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with people at all levels and across a range of situations and settings.
• The ability to produce and present clear information in different formats for a variety of audiences, including senior managers (for example reports and presentations).
• The ability to represent the Council confidently and professionally in line with its values and standards.

Our area

Wokingham Borough is set in the heart of Berkshire with excellent transport links to Reading and central London. Our area comprises of a vibrant and historical market town, attractive villages, and miles of beautiful countryside. We're home to a range of high performing schools, a host of international businesses and an incredible community. We have a strong local economy with accelerated growth, a range of excellent public facilities and low levels of crime, offering an exceptional quality of life. Wokingham Borough Council has committed to becoming a Marmot borough to embed prevention, early intervention and address inequalities in all aspects of our work. This is especially important given the significant and continued growth of our Borough and the diversity of its residents. Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.