Somerset Council
Team Leader - Leaving Care
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Team Leader - Leaving Care
Senior Team Leader – Leaving Care Team
Closing Date: 17/06/2026 Grade & Salary: Grade 9 (£41,771 to £46,142 per annum) Location: Shepton Mallet Fixed Term: One year (with possibility of extension)
About the Role
As a Team Leader for the Leaving Care Team, you will oversee a dedicated team delivering essential statutory support to care leavers. In this role, you will:
- Supervise and develop a team ensuring high-quality, outcome-focused support aligned with Somerset Council’s duties as a Corporate Parent.
- Provide expert professional leadership on complex casework, including assessments, planning, and crisis intervention.
- Champion the voice of care leavers, ensuring their needs guide both individual pathways and service improvements.
- Drive multi-agency collaboration, quality assurance, and performance management to safeguard young people’s welfare and promote independent living.
You will work closely with care leavers and families, actively promoting independence, positive relationships, and successful transitions into adulthood.
Key Responsibilities
Service Delivery & Case Management
- Lead a Leaving Care team to deliver consistent, safeguarding-focused support for care leavers, ensuring measurable impact.
- Provide professional oversight of assessments, plans, and reports, reflecting young people’s voices and adhering to high standards.
- Take lead responsibility for high-risk, complex cases, including safeguarding concerns, homelessness, and financial hardship.
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People Management & Team Development
- Recruit, supervise, and develop staff, managing performance, wellbeing, and capability in line with council policies.
- Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion when monitoring, evaluating, and coaching team performance.
Advocacy & Service Improvement
- Act as a Corporate Parent, promoting independence through support in accommodation, education, employment, health, and family life.
- Champion young people’s voices in service design, reviews, and policy development.
- Lead multi-agency working, challenging partners where necessary to secure best outcomes.
Resource & Compliance Management
- Manage resources, budgets, and accommodation provision, ensuring compliance, value, and safety.
- Handle complaints, escalations, and operational risks effectively.
Strategic Contribution
- Contribute to service development, training, and county-wide improvements in Leaving Care services.
- Ensure **outine requires regular on-site presence in Taunton/Shepton Mallet homes; candidates must have a valid driving licence and vehicle access.
What We’re Looking For
Essential
- Proven social care experience in supporting looked-after children and care leavers.
- Competence equivalent to NVQ Level 3 in Care.
- Strong knowledge of:
- The Children Act, Leaving Care Act, and Child Protection policies/legislation.
- Accommodation requirements and statutory guidance.
- Assessment and planning frameworks for young people.
- Hands-on experience in social care settings (1+ years preferred) and internationality in agencies.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, including engaging with young people, families, and professionals effectively.
- Strategic thinking, problem-solving, and ability to influence service improvements.
- Basic IT proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Office, council systems).
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Desirable
- Management qualification (e.g., NVQ Level 4).
- Experience supervising staff, including appraisals, performance management, and recruitment.
- Specialist Leaving Care experience, particularly in accommodation support.
- Experience with data analysis and service evaluation.
Additional Information
- Hours & Contract: 37 hours/week, fixed-term (1 year, extendable).
- Flexibility: Open to flexible working patterns; aim for a positive work-life balance.
- Commitment: Must live within commuting range of Taunton/Shepton Mallet (regular on-site visits required).
- Remote Work: Occasional home-based work permitted but not the sole basis of employment.
- Leave: 30 days annual leave (+ bank holidays) enjoyed
- Diversity: Somerset Council values equality and diversity.
[Intomo Work Relationship] Success: Apply by 17/06/2026.
Contact: For further details, email samantha.heathcote@somerset.gov.uk or call Annabelle Sargeant 01278 447736. A full job description will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
Reference: 861/SR
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