Job Description

Job Title: Team Manager

Directorate:

Children's Services

Service Area:

Social Care - Adolescent Safeguarding

Grade:

Grade 13

Salary:

29 - 32

Reports To:

Service Manager

Location:

Dudley Council

Special Conditions:

Must hold a full valid driving licence, have access to a vehicle, and Business Use Car Insurance.

Subject to enhanced DBS check.

Purpose of the Job

Lead and manage a social work team ensuring effective safeguarding and support for vulnerable children and their families.

Provide operational leadership for service improvement within children's social work.

Promote and contribute to strategic development of services for children and families in Dudley.

Line manage Social Workers, ASYEs, Trainee Social Workers, and Young Person's Advisors.

Key Responsibilities

1. Managing Activities

Ensure effective service delivery in line with legislation, guidance, and local procedures.

Make complex decisions about children's services.

Allocate work, monitor statutory timescales, and oversee care plans.

Collaborate with partner agencies for multi-agency planning.

Represent the service in meetings and planning forums.

Promote and ensure statutory and legislative knowledge among staff.

Monitor caseloads, service performance, and contribute to the Service Plan.

2. Managing Resources

Assess and confirm thresholds for intervention.

Manage and monitor budgets and resources effectively.

Ensure compliance with financial regulations and authorise appropriate payments.

3. Managing People

Recruit and induct staff following safer recruitment protocols.

Supervise and appraise team members with performance reviews.

Deploy staff effectively and plan team development.

Provide reflective supervision and practice support.

Act as cover for management in other service areas if required.

4. Managing Quality

Contribute to planning and quality frameworks such as the QAF and Best Value targets.

Use management information systems to track service quality.

Conduct audits and ensure compliance with updates in legislation and practice.

Promote equal opportunities and user involvement in service planning.

5. Managing Information

Maintain accurate case records and reports.

Support planning and performance monitoring through data collection and reporting.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

Extensive experience in children's social care, including managing services and supervising staff.

Experience with organisational change, partnership work, and service development.

Qualifications & Training

Qualified and registered (or eligible) with HCPC/Social Work England.

Evidence of or willingness to undertake management training.

Ongoing professional development record.

Skills & Competencies

Strong leadership and communication skills.

Strategic planning and target-setting.

Financial and resource management skills.

High-level decision-making, problem-solving, and IT literacy.

Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice.

Other Attributes

Knowledge of equality, diversity, and safeguarding legislation.

Commitment to continuous improvement and working flexibly with other teams and agencies.

Ability to analyse complex situations and act decisively.

Health & Safety

Comply with health and safety legislation and report incidents/accidents.

Maintain safe working practices for self and others.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 29.00-32.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking
Schedule:

8 hour shift Monday to Friday Weekend availability
Ability to commute/relocate:

Dudley, West Midlands: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Education:

Bachelor's (required)
Work authorisation:

United Kingdom (required)
Application deadline: 20/07/2025
Reference ID: SR13
Expected start date: 28/07/2025