Job Description

Location: Cheshire West and Chester
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent local government benefits
Contract: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Hybrid and flexible working available

Cheshire West and Chester is seeking an experienced and motivated Team Manager to lead a dedicated Children in Need Team, supporting children, young people, and families to achieve sustainable improvements in their lives.

This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled social work leader who is passionate about delivering high-quality practice, developing staff, and ensuring children receive the right support at the right time. You will join a forward-thinking authority committed to relationship-based practice, strong management support, and achieving the best outcomes for children and families.

As Team Manager, you will provide operational leadership to a team of social workers and family support professionals managing Children in Need, Child Protection, and Public Law cases.

You will be responsible for ensuring effective assessment, planning, intervention, and review processes, while maintaining high standards of safeguarding practice and compliance with statutory requirements.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing a Children in Need Team to deliver high-quality services for children and families.
• Providing reflective supervision, support, and professional development to social workers and other team members.
• Ensuring timely and effective assessments, plans, and interventions for children in need and those subject to child protection plans.
• Driving a culture of continuous improvement and excellent social work practice.
• Monitoring performance, quality assurance, and service outcomes.
• Supporting staff with complex decision-making and risk management.
• Working collaboratively with partner agencies including education, health, police, and voluntary sector organisations.
• Ensuring compliance with legislation, statutory guidance, and local procedures.
• Contributing to service development and improvement initiatives across Children's Services.

We are looking for an experienced social work professional with a strong track record of leadership within children's social care.

• Qualified Social Worker with current registration with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualifying experience within children's social care.
• Experience of managing or supervising social work staff within Children in Need, Child Protection, or Safeguarding services.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, and safeguarding frameworks.
• Demonstrable experience of managing complex cases and supporting effective risk assessment and decision-making.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organisational skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and partner agencies.

• Management qualification or evidence of leadership development.
• Experience leading service improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of strengths-based and relationship-based practice models.

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Manageable caseloads and strong management support.
• Regular reflective supervision and professional development opportunities.
• Access to learning and leadership programmes.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
• A supportive and collaborative working culture focused on achieving the best outcomes for children and families.

At Cheshire West and Chester, children and families are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a positive working environment where social workers can thrive, develop their careers, and make a real difference.

If you are an inspiring leader with a passion for safeguarding and improving outcomes for children, we would love to hear from you.

Take the next step in your leadership career and help shape the future of children's services in Cheshire West and Chester.