Social Care Team Manager - Children's

Contract | Civic Recruitment Limited | United Kingdom

Posted On 19/10/2026

Work Experience 3 years

Social / NGO / Health & Care

City Ipswich

Province Suffolk

Postal Code IP1

Job Purpose

To provide leadership, management and professional oversight within Children and Young People's Services, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, child-centred services that achieve positive outcomes for children, young people and families.

The postholder will lead a Family Help team, managing staff, resources, budgets and performance whilst ensuring safeguarding responsibilities are effectively discharged. The role will drive service improvement, support workforce development and promote effective multi-agency working to improve outcomes for children and families across Suffolk.

As a key leader within Children's Services, the Team Manager will create a positive learning culture, champion high standards of practice and ensure the service operates in line with statutory requirements, local procedures and Suffolk's Signs of Safety and Wellbeing approach.

• Lead, manage and develop a Family Help team within Children's Services.
• Provide professional supervision, support and performance management to staff.
• Create a positive learning culture that promotes high-quality practice and continuous improvement.
• Motivate, coach and mentor staff to achieve individual and team objectives.
• Manage workforce planning, recruitment, retention and staff development.
• Lead change initiatives and support staff through service developments and transformation.
• Ensure effective appraisal, supervision and performance review arrangements are in place.
• Manage safeguarding concerns and ensure appropriate action is taken to protect children and young people.
• Provide oversight of complex cases and decision-making processes.
• Ensure risks are identified, assessed and managed appropriately.
• Promote a culture of safe and informed decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation, guidance and local procedures.

• Lead the delivery of high-quality Family Help services.
• Monitor service performance against local and national standards.
• Drive continuous service improvement and innovation.
• Manage quality assurance activities including audits, reviews and performance monitoring.
• Ensure timely and effective case allocation, management and progression.
• Support safe and effective transitions between services and teams.

• Promote the participation of children, young people and families in service planning and decision-making.
• Ensure feedback from families is used to improve service delivery.
• Manage complaints, representations and service concerns appropriately.
• Champion strengths-based and relationship-based practice approaches.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively with education, health, police and voluntary sector organisations.
• Challenge and support partners to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Promote integrated service delivery and effective partnership working.
• Manage budgets, staffing resources and operational expenditure effectively.
• Ensure services operate within financial and governance frameworks.
• Promote best value and efficient resource utilisation.
• Monitor performance and identify opportunities for service efficiencies.

• Contribute to service planning and strategic development within Children's Services.
• Translate organisational priorities into effective operational practice.
• Support the implementation of Suffolk County Council strategies and improvement programmes.
• Contribute to policy development and service modernisation initiatives.

• Social Work qualification and Social Work England registration, or equivalent Level 6 professional qualification with relevant management experience.
• Significant management experience within Children's Services.
• Experience leading and developing teams within safeguarding or family support services.

• Children's legislation and statutory guidance
• Safeguarding frameworks
• Child Protection processes
• Risk assessment and case management
• Children's Services performance requirements
• Experience managing complex safeguarding situations.
• Experience supervising and supporting professional staff.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance and performance…