Job title: Team Manager

Salary: PO6 £51,356 - £54,495 

Hours: 37 hours (full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates)

Contract: Permanent (Deacon House) & 2x Temporary (6-month position at Deacon House and an 18-month position at Albion House)

Locations: South (Deacon House, LS14) and West (Albion House, LS19)

Are you passionate about making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families in Leeds?

We’re looking for a committed and motivated Team Manager to join our Children & Families directorate and play a vital role in supporting some of the city’s most vulnerable children and families. As a Team Manager, you will be part of a team committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults in our frontline children’s social work team and you will thrive on working restoratively with children and families. The role of the Team Manager is to lead, motivate and direct a team of professional social work staff to deliver a high standard of social work, which places the child at the centre and ensure that statutory duties and responsibilities of the Local Authority are being met. To be the key contact and advisor on safeguarding at a local level.

At Leeds City Council, our ambition is to make Leeds the best city for children and young people to grow up in. We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence. We aim to improve outcomes for all our children and want to close the gap facing children and young people from vulnerable and deprived backgrounds.

You’ll be joining a team that is dedicated to safeguarding, supporting families, and working collaboratively with communities to achieve positive outcomes.

We are proud to be part of Leeds children’s services, rated by Ofsted as outstanding, and to be an award-winning employer, recognised as best employer in the Social Worker of the Year Awards 2019.

Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions

We provide comprehensive support and training packages for Team Manager at all levels with clear career progression opportunities. Our established in-house management teams offer continuous support, guidance and reflective supervision alongside an in-depth programme of continuing professional development.

We can offer permanent contracts on a full-time, part-time or job-share basis to suitably qualified candidates and, subject to service needs being fulfilled, we are open to flexible working arrangements to support your work-life balance.

The role is predominantly office based. These are roles available in area social work based in South Leeds, at Deacon House (LS14) and West Leeds at Albion House (LS19).

About You

Knowledge Required

As a Social Work Team Manager, you must hold a formal Social Work qualification (DipSw, bachelor’s degree or master’s degree) and have knowledge and experience of safeguarding good practices including safer recruitment procedures, paramountcy principle, requirements of the Children’s Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 and subsequent legal updates.

The post requires knowledge of legislation and contemporary issues within Children’s Social Care, alongside a clear appreciation of the importance of maintaining confidentiality. Applicants must also demonstrate a basic knowledge of child development, including the stages of adolescence and the transition to adulthood.

It is essential that you can demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test and Interview.

Skills Required

The applicant is required to exhibits flexibility in diverse work settings, demonstrates strong leadership and reflective practices, and evidenced based practices, and motivates teams to achieve higher standards. They empower colleagues and service users while maintaining ethical principles, critically apply theoretical knowledge, and challenge suboptimal practices through evidence-based research. Their capabilities include clear communication, effective budget management, thorough risk assessment, and promotion of change management initiatives. Additionally, they are adept at analysing complex scenarios for sound decision-making and interpreting performance metrics accurately.

The candidate must be capable of preparing and delivering comprehensive reports on complex matters to varied audiences, demonstrating advanced negotiation skills to resolve challenging situations effectively. They should adopt a strategic and structured approach at both team and area levels, ensuring the alignment of team objectives with the overarching business plan. The role requires contributing to the enhancement of services for families, children, and young people, as well as fostering constructive professional relationships with partners, agencies, and other internal and external stakeholders. The individual must be able to lead, manage, motivate, and supervise a Children’s Social Work team, providing clear performance guidance and professional supervision. Proficiency in managing both their own caseload and overseeing those of team members, alongside sound IT skills, is also essential.

Experience Required

The essential experience for this role includes: providing supervision to staff and/or students; possessing relevant post-qualification experience; developing collaborative approaches across agencies and disciplines; managing multi-agency work; and innovating in response to work-related challenges. These competencies ensure effective leadership and the advancement of multi-agency practice within Children’s Social Care.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

The candidate is expected to demonstrate a strong commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous improvement. This includes adhering to Leeds City Council’s Equality, Diversity, Cohesion and Integration policies, fulfilling responsibilities under Health, Safety and Wellbeing policies, and actively engaging in training to maintain current skills and knowledge. Additionally, a positive attitude towards self and team development, as well as upholding the council’s values, behaviours, and code of conduct, is essential.

About The Role 

Please see the full job description for the role and responsibilities.

What We Offer You

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including: a comprehensive employee experience, including a competitive salary with annual leave and statutory holidays, membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions, and flexible or hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements. Employees benefit from a clear career pathway with ongoing professional development opportunities, alongside a range of staff benefits designed to support wellbeing and enhance financial value.

How To Apply

Please complete the online application form preference for South Leeds or West Leeds position, or both if applicable.

Read our guidancefor further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal discussion about the area roles, please contact Gemma Hill (0113 3784957) for the South Leeds positions or Sarah Howarth (0113 5352850) for the position in West Leeds.

The closing date for application is 2nd February 2026 at 1700, with a view to holding an assessment centre on the afternoon of 12th February 2026.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people. 

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job Description

Job Purpose: The role of the Team Manager is to lead, motivate and direct a team of professional social work staff to deliver a high standard of social work, which places the child at the centre and ensure that statutory duties and responsibilities of the Local Authority are being met. To be the key contact and advisor on safeguarding at a local level.

The role will work as part of a team within a health and social care setting, maintaining effective relationships with other colleagues, Elected Members, service users, families, carers, and other agencies.   The post will initially be based community based.  However, the post holder may be required as part of their duties to work in other locations throughout the city to effectively deliver their duties.

Responsibilities 

• Direct, manage and motivate a locally or service based social work team, including managing caseload levels through appropriately allocated, planned, and supervised work. This will be critically evaluated and reviewed, monitoring performance within statutory timescales ensuing regulatory compliance and high quality service delivery outcomes.
• Assist in the development and promotion of services and practice improvements which are designed to mitigate risk and provide qualitative improvement to the outcomes for children.
• Act as an exemplar in knowledge of social care legal and guidance requirements, policy, procedures, and practice standards.
• Ensure that formal processes, for example proceedings in the child and family courts or Fostering and Adoption panel processes are instigated and managed appropriately in line with the best interests of the child.
• Take a lead on Safeguarding including Safer recruitment, the requirements of Children Act 1989 & 2004, Working Together 2010 and any subsequent legal version updates to ensure a child friendly and child focused approach.
• Ensure services meet regulatory requirements as required.
• Act as key contact and provide advice to local professionals, families, elected members and other agencies on child protection law and proceedings.
• Lead on liaison with Police, health and education colleagues in agreeing and applying procedures for action where children may be at risk.
• Provide regular reflective supervision and appraisal to staff members maintaining supervision and appraisal records using the appropriate documentation and associated guidance.
• Provide appropriate support and mentoring to newly qualified social workers ensuring they have a clear understanding of the expectations of the role and receive appropriate development opportunities.
• Actively promote the effective use of resources and to manage appropriate financial resources within available budgets and within Council Financial Procedures.
• Instigate and manage quality assurance activity in accordance with practice standards including, for example Case File Audits; ensure that improvements and corrective actions are highlighted and implemented in a timely manner.
• Ensure all case recording meets practice standard guidance in respect of timeliness and quality.
• Promote and instigate appropriate use of information technology, processes, and systems in service delivery, maintaining records and management information to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Manage and deal with complaints in the most efficient and effective manner whilst following any statutory guidance around time frames.
• Resolve complex and extremely challenging situations through using the principles of restorative practice.
• Proactively manage performance of the team across a range of agreed indicators, prepare appropriate reports and undertake management actions to improve performance as necessary.
• Deal with all staff management issues promptly including recruitment & selection, probation of new employees, attendance management, staff supervision, performance, grievance, or disciplinary issues.
• Undertake quality assurance of all reports to formal panels e.g., Adoption Panel, Child Protection Conferences, Family Court Hearings and Fostering Panels.
• Contribute to developing and improving Children’s Services using a creative and innovative approach to service/partnership development and delivery, taking a lead where required.
• Develop and produce team and area plans on an annual basis to ensure delivery of a professional child friendly and child focussed service which delivers in line with CYPSC Service plans and Service Improvement Plans and to take a lead on Service Development where appropriate.
• Ensure all Team Plans include clear expectations for the year and set achievable targets which are monitored and reviewed at regular intervals.
• Be a visible member of an integrated management team at cluster / area or City Wide level as appropriate and contribute to departmental, multi-agency Regional and National working groups as required.
• Actively promote and deliver partnership working through integrated practice for effective service delivery, ensuring compliance with joint protocols and provide specialist advice as appropriate to partner agencies and integrated services.
• Liaise and negotiate with other professional groups and agencies involved with families, children and young people and represent Children’s Services at key professional forums.
• Undertake investigations under the disciplinary procedures of the Council as and when appropriate.
• Be flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required, commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge and skills.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion and development programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days and events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures such as child protection, equality, diversity and inclusion, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all by working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equality and diversity of Leeds City Council
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equality and diversity, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures
• Maintain your own Social Work England Registration and continual, professional development (CPD) requirements.
• The postholder is expected to work within the parameters of the council’s flexibility protocol.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications The post requires an appropriate professional qualification (DipSW, Degree, CQSW or equivalent).  You should be registered with Social Work England upon commencement of the post and maintain registration

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities:  Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements

Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview, and Certificate

Skills Required

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate. 
• Able to demonstrate leadership qualities including the ability to model a reflective practice approach which facilitates a team culture of evidence based practice.
• Able to motivate and inspire team members to consistently raise standards in practice.
• Able to empower self and others including service users, ensuring high ethical standards in practice.
• Able to demonstrate a sound theoretical understanding and the ability to critically apply theory in practice.
• Able to challenge poor practice and use research to inform high standards of excellence
• Able to pass information effectively, accurately, and concisely using a variety of formats.
• Able to manage a budget and understand how this meets the business needs of the Department.
• Able to demonstrate skills in risk management and assessment including the ability to identify indicators of risk and the preventative actions that will address them.
• Able to actively promote the change management agenda at team and area level.
• Able to analyse complex situations and make considered decisions.
• Able to analyse and understand performance data and statistical information.
• Able to prepare and present reports on complex issues to a variety of different audiences.
• Able to demonstrate advanced negotiating skills to ensure effective solutions to complex and difficult situations.
• Able to demonstrate a strategic and structured approach at team and area level and an ability to link the work of the team with the business plan.
• Able to contribute to the overall development of services for families, children and young people.
• Able to develop constructive working relationships with other partners, agencies, internal and external professionals.
• Able to develop, manage, motivate, and lead a Children’s Social Work team and offer appropriate professional supervision, giving clear and specific guidance on performance.
• Able to manage caseloads and supervise the caseloads of others.IT skills.

Knowledge Required

• DipSw or Equivalent.
• Safeguarding good practices including safer recruitment procedures, paramountcy principle, requirements of the Children’s Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018and subsequent legal updates.
• Developments in Social work best practice, professional practice, and legislation.

Experience Required

• Providing supervision for staff and/or students.
• Post qualification experience.
• Developing inter-agency and multi-disciplinary approaches to issues.
• Management of multi-agency work.
• Developing new approaches to work related issues.

Behavioural & other Characteristics required

• Committed to continuous improvement
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council’s commitment to Equality, Diversity, Cohesion and Integration. This is set out in the Equality and Diversity and Dignity at Work Policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under the council's Health, Safety and Wellbeing Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities to ensure up-to-date knowledge, skills and continuous professional development.
• Demonstrate a positive approach to training and development for you and your team.
• Understand and embrace the council’s values, behaviours and Employee Code of Conduct.

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