Team Manager – West Kent Children in Care Service

Overview

As Team Manager you will lead a 5–6 social workers team to improve outcomes for children in care. You will champion social work values, supervise complex caseloads, and support professional development within a large authority. You’ll shape service delivery, contribute to policy and commissioning strategies, and collaborate with a range of partners. The role combines people leadership with safeguarding expertise to drive service improvements in West Kent. This is a chance to influence children’s services in a high-impact, collaborative environment.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary 55,764 – 62,535
• Golden Hello up to 4,000 (subject to eligibility)
• relocation package up to 8,000 (subject to eligibility)
• excellent local government pension scheme
• staff benefits package
• career development and training

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a small team of social workers (5/6) to deliver high-quality care
• Provide high-quality caseload supervision and support to enable complex demands to be met
• Contribute to development of Children’s Social Work Services procedures and policies
• Advise on commissioning strategies to ensure accessible services for children, young people and families
• Work in partnership with a broad range of agencies to deliver services
• Support practice and policy development and contribute to service improvement initiatives
• Lead and develop the team and challenge professionals where necessary
• Ensure staff development and mentoring to maintain standards and standards aligned with Kent Practice Framework

Key requirements

• Social Work England registration
• Social Work degree (Dip SW or equivalent)
• extensive post-qualification experience
• supervising staff experience
• in-depth knowledge of legislation, policy and practice relating to Children
• understanding of Kent Practice Framework
• management experience or relevant specialist knowledge of the service user group
• experience in safeguarding processes, care proceedings & adoption
• budget management and joint working with statutory, private and voluntary sectors
• ability to lead, develop and influence practice and policy

• excellent managerial skills
• ability to lead and develop a team
• strong ability to support and challenge professionals
• budget management
• knowledge of safeguarding processes
• experience with care proceedings and adoption

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