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 preferencing South Leeds or West Leeds, East Leeds or Child Looked After position, or all if applicable.

Read our guidance for 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 Clare Matthews (0113 3784026) for the position in West Leeds, Jodie Dawson (0113 3787580) for the East position and Jen Low ( 0113 3785312) for the Child Looked After position.

The closing date for application is 7th August 2026 1700, with a view to holding an assessment centre on the 21st August 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 visa route 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