Dorset Council
Assistant Team Manager (Social Work Qualified) - Family Help
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Assistant Team Manager (Social Work Qualified) - Family Help
Assistant Team Manager & Aspiring Assistant Team Manager – Family Help, Dorset Council
Dorset Council is proud to offer opportunities for Assistant Team Managers and aspiring candidates to support our ground-breaking work in family help, as we reshape child protection and early intervention services in Dorset.
We’re an Outstanding-rated authority (Ofsted) for our work with children, young people, and families, with a focus on family-centred, strengths-based practice and pioneering reforms through the Families First Partnership (FFP) Programme.
About the Role
Two vacancies are available—one in the Chesil locality (Weymouth & Portland) and another in East & Purbeck (Wareham & Ferndown). Please state your preference in your application.
As part of the Families First for Children Pathfinder Programme, we are developing a more integrated, blended family help model to deliver wrap-around support from Early Help (s.17) through to s.47 enquiries and care proceedings.
You will play a pivotal role in:
- Leading a multi-agency approach, ensuring collaborative child protection outcomes
- Supporting Family Help teams with social work oversight (s.17 and support planning)
- Managing and mentoring social workers, family workers, and student social workers
- Driving practice development and delivering training & supervision at locality level
- Championing restorative, strengths-based approaches aligned with our Thrive model
Our work has been recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted, with strong praise for our supportive, reflective supervision culture and commitment to "keeping families at home where safe to do so".
What You’ll Be Doing
As Assistant Team Manager, you will:
- Provide social work oversight for Family Help teams, ensuring consistent, strengths-based practice
- Work closely with Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT) and Lead Child Practitioners (LCPP)
- Chair and facilitate care planning meetings, child protection conferences, and multi-agency discussions
- Supervise, support, and appraise assigned Family Workers, Social Workers, and Student Social Workers
- Lead team-level practice improvements and contribute to site-wide training initiatives
- Represent Dorset’s model in international and national forums (your insights will help shape future policy)
- Advocate for clearer communication with families, reducing complexity and response times
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Core Duties
✔ Collaborate with MACPT and LCPP to ensure timely, accurate child protection responses ✔ Guide s.47 investigations by providing robust, independent social work judgment ✔ Supervise s.17 child in need assessments and Family Help provision across your locality ✔ Ensure reflective practice is embedded, through regular supervision and mentoring ✔ Align tactical futures with Longer-Term Plans (LTPs) for the children and families you support ✔ Represent the team at multi-agency meetings, expertise panels, and feeding into practice frameworks ✔ Develop and assemble casework teams, advancing partnership working
About You
Professional Requirements
- Must hold a qualified professional degree (QPD) or equivalent in social work
- Registered with Social Work England (must complete ASYE if qualified post-2012)
- Management or supervisory experience (leading teams, appraisals, mentoring practitioners)
- Strong grasp of child development, safeguarding law (Children Act, LSCBs, etc.), and care placing policies
- Skilled in difficult conversations, restorative approaches, and family work frameworks
- Experience in analysing trends, highlighting systemic risks, and advising foster carers/organisations
Personal Qualities
- Strengths-based, restorative mindset with high emotional intelligence
- Confident stakeholder management and expert communicator (with families, agencies, policing)
- Excellent organisational skills with ability to thrive in a demanding multi-agency environment
- Committed to reflective practice and evidence-based decision-making
- Resilient and professional, balancing high accountability with realistic expectations
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The Dorset Advantage
We invest in our teams through: 🔹 Actional training infrastructure (motivational interviewing, restorative practice, strengths-based approaches) 🔹 Leadership development pathways including mentor training and senior supervision roles 🔹 Reflective supervision culture: bi-weekly group discussions with peers, line managers, and strategists 🔹 Introduction period support: accelerated skills through a structured programme and bespoke training
Travel is necessary for this role. You must have a full valid driving licence and access to a reliable vehicle.
The Culture of Impact
Why Join Us?
🏅 A meaningful role at the heart of transformational reform—ɢovernment-recognised as a leader in family help services. ☁️ High challenge, high support—we are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and value your contributions hugely. 🎓 Unlimited career progression as part of:
- Our Young Professionals Graduate Programme (for next-gen leaders)
- Leadership programme (managers and future Senior Leaders) 🤝 Inclusive work environment: Dorset Council is a Disability Confident Employer 🌱 Cost of living relief: Flexible working to balance commitment with sustainability
Next Steps
For informal discussions, contact:
- Sue Jones (Chesil locality: [sc선을-Jones@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk](mailto:sc 어쩔-Jones@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk))
- Samantha Oak (East & Purbeck: [smakukan@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk](mailto:sm personnalité-en@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk))
Note: Full post includes a DBS check and precautions for safeguarding minors/vulnerable adults.
Ready to join us in creating positive change? Apply today, and visit Find Out More About How To Apply.*
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