As a Principal Manager, you will have an exciting opportunity to help shape, develop and embed this new way of working, providing strong operational and professional leadership and building effective relationships across the partnership. You will support a culture of high support and high challenge, ensuring that decision-making is timely, evidence-informed and firmly centred on achieving the best outcomes for children and families.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for people who are:

• Passionate about making a positive difference for children, young people and families.
• Committed to relational, restorative and strengths-based practice.
• Confident in working collaboratively with families, colleagues and partner agencies.
• Focused on safeguarding, high-quality practice and continuous improvement.
• Resilient, flexible and able to respond effectively within a busy and demanding service environment.
• Keen to develop their skills and contribute to shaping the future of services across the city.

You Will Have

• A recognised social work qualification, current Social Work England registration and extensive post-qualification experience within children's social care.
• Significant experience of managing social work staff, resources, complex caseloads and competing service demands.
• Strong knowledge of children's legislation, safeguarding procedures, care planning, court work and the Public Law Outline.
• Experience of performance management, quality assurance, auditing and using data to drive continuous improvement.
• Highly developed leadership, coaching and reflective supervision skills, with the ability to support, challenge and develop staff.
• Excellent communication, influencing and partnership-working skills, including experience of chairing complex multi-agency meetings and making sound decisions under pressure.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary based on your skills, experience and talent
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• An excellent local authority benefits pension scheme
• Professional development through learning opportunities, regular training sessions and apprenticeship and management schemes

Further information on our Rewards and Benefits can be found here.

If you would like to discuss the role further please email Jane Stuart, FFP Manager Children & Families at Jane.Stuart@stoke.gov.uk.

Any offer of employment will be subject to the successful completion of required pre-employment checks. These may include:

• Right to Work in the UK
• Proof of address
• Satisfactory references
• Occupational Health Clearance
• Evidence of professional qualifications or registrations
• DBS check at the appropriate level

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all our employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This position is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Please note that if an employee who is currently at risk of redundancy within the organisation applies for this vacancy their application will receive priority. If this happens you will be advised accordingly.

Your career matters here.

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we're committed to helping our people thrive. From competitive pay and a supportive working environment to opportunities for development and career progression, we invest in our workforce because we know they're our greatest asset. We're building an inclusive organisation that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone is welcomed, valued and encouraged to make a difference.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Stoke-on-Trent City Council, we believe our strength comes from the diversity of our community, and we want our workforce to reflect that. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences. We understand that some people, especially those from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, may hesitate to apply if they don't meet all the listed requirements. If this role interests you and you think you could be a good fit, we encourage you to apply. We are proud of what makes each of us unique and are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels included, can be themselves, and can succeed together.