Exploitation Team Manager

Join the role of Exploitation Team Manager – at Walsall Council. The position is part of the Aspiring Futures Team and is based at the Walsall Children’s Social Care department.

Salary: £55,662 – £59,490 per annum. The role is fully salaried and includes a 15% retention payment after two years in post.

The Exploitation Team Manager leads the team responsible for safeguarding and supporting exploited young people and their families. You will manage an Assistant Team Manager, two Social Workers, two Aspiring Futures Practitioners and an Exploitation Coordinator. Team members are supported to deliver responsive, trauma‑informed services that reduce exploitation risks and promote the welfare of the children and families.

• Leadership and management of team staff, ensuring effective staffing and development.
• Direct oversight of assistant team lead and individual practitioners, facilitating clear role definitions and support.
• Development and maintenance of exploitation risk assessment processes and context‑based decision‑making.
• Co‑ordination of daily exploitation triage and monthly MACE (Multi‑Agency Child Exploitation) meetings.
• Engagement with partner agencies – Police, Youth Justice Service, education, health, and voluntary organisations – to deliver a coordinated response.
• Chairing complex strategy discussions and ensuring resourcing is allocated appropriately.
• Monitoring of return‑home conversations, missing episodes and continuity of care for high‑risk children.
• Reporting, data analysis and continuous improvement of service delivery.

• Social Work qualification and current registration with Social Work England.
• Experience as an experienced Team Manager in a child protection or social care environment.
• Strong understanding of risk management, context weighting and trauma‑informed practice.
• Ability to chair complex meetings and lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proficiency in data analysis and report writing.
• Professional, dynamic and driven to make positive changes for exploited young people in Walsall.

Walsall Council is a highly respected local authority with outstanding Ofsted ratings. We invest in staff and offer a hybrid model of work – 2–3 days office based with the ability to work from home. Benefits include holiday discounts, groceries, clothes, gym membership and professional development. Flexibile leave and a 9‑day per fortnight pattern are available for team managers.

Please read the employee specification carefully. You must provide a detailed supporting information statement in the application form, describing how your skills and experience meet the criteria. Failure to include this statement will mean you will not be shortlisted.

Complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application. We do not accept CVs or attachments.

Closing date: 4 January 2026
Interview date: week commencing 12 January 2026

Walsall Council is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and encourage diversity.