Deputy Team Manager – Neighbourhood Team

The Team

We’re an adult social care team committed to empowering the people of Essex to have greater choice and control over how they live their lives. We think everyone should have the chance to live a fulfilling life with people they love and care about, doing things that matter to them and living in a place they can call home. We’re determined that with the right support, everyone can maintain or achieve some independence and we’re proud to be working to make these ambitions a reality.

The team primarily operates across Braintree, forming part of a Neighbourhood approach, linking closely with our partners in health, housing and voluntary sector. The team works with people aged 18 and above across all specialisms, undertaking a wide range of duties under the Care Act 2014 from assessment, reviews, mental capacity assessments and adult safeguarding.

We are proud to offer hybrid working options, with an expectation to be office based at County Hall in Chelmsford around 2 to 3 days per week depending on business need for collaborative team working and training.

As a Deputy Team Manager you will be supporting the development of practice, skills and knowledge with the Social Workers, Occupational Therapists and Community Support Workers within the team.

You will be focused on allocating cases to social workers and community support workers and will also be responsible for deputising for the Team manager, attending various meetings and sharing responsibility in managing the performance of the Team. You will also be expected to supervise some of the workers in the team and will need to be very robust with managing information and statistical information.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Providing leadership and support across a team of professionals to deliver a high-quality service with positive outcomes which enables people to live healthily and independently.
• Supporting the development of individuals with the team.
• Delivering expertise and professional knowledge to provide advice and guidance for complex cases in line with legislative and organisational standards.
• Providing an escalation point for complaints and other feedback from service users in accordance with policy, in a way that fosters positive relationships.
• Implementing effective approaches to integrated working with partners, communities and the voluntary sector to achieve successful outcomes for service users.

• Qualified and experienced Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
• Strong leadership and behavioural skills with the ability to forge a highly performing and motivated team that delivers the best outcomes for those using our services.
• Proven experience of developing individuals to meet professional standards and operate confidently to deliver the best solutions for the citizens of Essex.
• Experience of leading change in a complex environment, and ensuring best practice is delivered within financial constraints.
• Ability to develop strong and collaborative relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community.
• The ability to make clear decisions, to highlight and limit potential risks associated with intervention.
• Significant experience within an adult social care setting, ideally with previous management experience.
• Practice Educator, AMHP or BIA qualified.
• Evidence of continuing professional development and capability of practice in accordance with current professional standards.

This role involves travelling around Essex and beyond. A driving licence and car – or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means – is essential.

In June 2025, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated our Adult Social Care services as “Good” with a score of 73%.

“The local authority had a good structure and processes in place to enable people to be supported successfully, and support people to remain independent and live healthy lives. The workforce was passionate about supporting people to achieve these outcomes and the local authority had good knowledge of their area, the people living there and the demographics.”

You can read the full report on the CQC website…