Job Description

Job description
Are you a skilled, experienced dedicated professional who is passionate about improving services for children and families?



We are looking for an excellent social work qualified professional to join us as a Case Manager in the Joint Legal Team. You'll be working with colleagues to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable adults, children and young people in Berkshire.



JLT is a forward thinking shared legal service and recognised centre of excellence for child care, education and adult social care law for the six Berkshire unitary authorities. We are hosted by Reading Borough Council, working from our modern offices in Reading town centre close to the train station and courts.



Our ambition is to be the best place to practice safeguarding law in local government; being close to our clients, recruiting the best talent, successfully deploying legal technology and ensuring the continued growth of the business to new customers. We provide the Council and our JLT Partners with the highest quality professional legal advice and representation which allows them to run their organisations well, and to serve our community.



We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.



We are open to flexible working patterns and provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

About the Role:

You'll be working alongside two other case managers and work closely with Children's Services in Berkshire.



You'll track the progression of pre-proceedings and care proceedings, monitor compliance with key timescales, and identify issues that could cause delays. You will provide detailed case analysis, support social workers in preparing evidence, and contribute to identifying and addressing training needs.



You'll also gather and present data for the JLT Governance Board and contribute to reports to the Local Family Justice Boards, highlighting trends and areas for improvement to help inform decision-making



You will regularly attend legal planning and tracking meetings across your allocated authorities and act as a 'critical friend' by constructively challenging practice when necessary.



You'll contribute to our monthly Best Practice Group, building strong relationships with stakeholders, you'll help improve standards, share best practice, and ensure a high-quality service is delivered across all participating client authorities.

What We're Looking For:

Qualified social worker registered with Social Work England. Extensive experience with looked after children and complex child protection cases. In-depth knowledge of care proceedings and the family justice system. Strong analytical, organisational, and communication skills. Confidence in influencing and advising at all levels.

You'll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as colleagues who you work closely with every day, you'll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.




Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team

- work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency

- show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious

- be demanding of our own performance - striving to be even better - and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading

- maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer:

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you'll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.



A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:


Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holiday rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave A wide range of flexible working opportunities Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading Local Government Pension Scheme(LGPS) Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS) On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Eleanor Gibson, Strategic Lead for Children's Law at

eleanor.gibson@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Monday 25th August 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed



Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.