Children's Social Work Team Manager - Short-Term Cover & Progression
- Location: Durham, County Durham
- Authority: Durham County Council (Children & Families Services)
- Pay Rate: £37.66 per hour (Umbrella)
- Contract: Full-Time Locum Assignment (Up to 6 months short-term sickness cover)
- Working Pattern: Hybrid / Flexible working arrangements
Durham County Council is recruiting an experienced Agency Team Manager to provide leadership and short-term cover for up to 6 months within a busy frontline Children's Social Work team. Offering £37.66 per hour, this is an excellent opportunity to manage complex statutory caseloads while driving service quality and supporting staff progression.
About the Role & Practice Area:
You will lead and support a team of Social Workers and Family Workers managing complex statutory cases across Safeguarding, Child Protection (CP), Child in Need (CIN), Public Law Outline (PLO), and Care Proceedings. You will provide daily management oversight, ensure statutory compliance, and champion child-centred decision-making.
Key Responsibilities:
- Operational Management & Supervision: Provide day-to-day management, coaching, and reflective supervision to Social Workers and Family Workers.
- Caseload & Statutory Oversight: Oversee complex CP, CIN, PLO, and Court Work cases, ensuring assessments, plans, and court documentation are completed to high standards within timescales.
- Decision-Making & Strategy: Lead on robust risk assessments, case direction, and management decision-making; chair legal planning meetings and strategy discussions.
- Performance & Quality Assurance: Monitor team performance, caseload distributions, and statutory compliance while maintaining effective multi-agency collaboration with legal services, IROs, and senior leadership.
- Child-Centred Practice: Ensure the voice of the child remains central to all assessment, planning, and care proceedings.
What We Are Looking For:
- Qualifications & SWE: Recognised Social Work qualification and active registration with Social Work England (SWE).
- Management Experience: Proven experience as a Team Manager or Advanced Practitioner within statutory Children's Services (specifically Safeguarding, PLO, and Court Work).
- Court & PLO Expertise: In-depth working knowledge of Public Law Outline procedures, care proceedings, and court frameworks.
- Leadership Skills: Strong decision-making, risk assessment, and performance-driving skills in demanding frontline settings.
Why Apply?
- Competitive Rate: £37.66 per hour.
- Contract Stability: Secure up to 6 months of cover in a supportive local authority.
- Leadership & Impact: Play a pivotal role in driving team performance and maintaining child-focused practice standards.
Apply Today
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