Dorset Council UK
Area Practice Manager - East Dorset Locality Team
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Area Practice Manager - East Dorset Locality Team
Room to practise. Support to grow.
We are looking for a motivated Area Practice Manager to join our East Dorset Locality Team within Adult Social Care on a full time basis.
This is a key leadership role where you will shape practice, support your team to thrive, and ensure people receive high-quality, person-centred support.
Dorset Council Adult Social Care is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), recognising the strength of our practice, leadership, and workforce culture. Inspectors highlighted “a clear sense of community across Dorset”, with leaders working positively in partnership to meet the needs of local people.
Peer support across our teams is described as “unbeatable”, reflecting the strong relationships and collaborative culture you will be leading and building upon.
As An Area Practice Manager, You Will
Lead a multi-disciplinary team including Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, and Assessment Support Coordinators Create the conditions for high-quality, strengths-based practice Support staff to develop confidence, manage risk, and make informed, evidence-based decisions Act as a visible and accessible leader, modelling good practice and professional curiosity Support the Locality Manager in the day-to-day leadership and management of your team Drive strengths-based, person-centred practice, promoting independence and positive outcomes Provide guidance on complex cases, supporting staff to work confidently with risk and complexity Lead on performance, quality assurance, and practice improvement Work collaboratively with health, housing, and community partners in a joined-up, multi-agency system
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In Dorset, leadership is visible and valued. The CQC recognised “an open culture… with visible leadership and robust management arrangements”, alongside a learning offer that is “highly praised by all staff.”
You will play a central role in shaping and embedding change, ensuring services respond effectively to both organisational priorities and the needs of the people we support.
About You
You are an experienced social worker or occupational therapist, ready for your next step; or a current team manager looking for a new challenge. You will be a leader who can influence practice, develop people, and build strong, effective teams.
You Will
Hold a registered qualification in health or social care Bring substantial post-qualification experience, including working with complex cases and managing risk Have a proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff, creating a positive and accountable team culture Be confident in resource and budget management Have strong experience of partnership working across health, community, and voluntary sectors
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You Will Also Be
Adaptable, approachable, and resilient Committed to strengths-based, person-centred practice A strong communicator, able to manage challenge and facilitate constructive conversations Dedicated to continuous professional development, for yourself and your team
Why join Dorset
We Offer Hybrid And Flexible Working, Alongside
Regular, reflective supervision A strong learning and development offer, including leadership apprenticeships Access to mentoring, coaching, and CPD
We Also Offer
Local Government Pension Scheme Minimum 27 days annual leave (plus option to purchase more) Access to wellbeing and support services
Our teams have a strong local identity. In East Dorset, you will lead a team that knows its community and works closely together to support it.
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