Somerset Council
Team Manager Children Looked After
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Team Manager Children Looked After
Service Manager – Social Work in Somerset
Closing date: 6 July 2026
Salary: £54,282 per annum (including £5,000 recruitment allowance, expiring 30.06.2027)
Role Summary
As a Service Manager – Social Work in Somerset, you will:
- Lead high-quality, child-centred services
- Drive performance and deliver key council priorities for Children Looked After
- Provide strategic direction and ensure statutory compliance
- Support transformation across the organisation
- Work with senior leaders, Members, and partners to ensure effective, efficient, and continuously improving services
- Achieve best outcomes for children and families
What You’ll Do – Key Responsibilities
- Lead a high-quality service that makes a real difference for children, young people, and families in Somerset
- Support positive outcomes for our Children Looked After by:
- Setting clear priorities and direction
- Driving service plans forward
- Using insight, feedback, and data to improve outcomes
- Inspire and support a dedicated team by:
- Creating a positive, high-performing environment
- Ensuring people feel valued, challenged, and motivated
- Maintaining excellence in practice
- Manage complex cases with confidence and resolve challenges effectively
- Collaborate closely with another team manager and a broader supportive management team
- Work with partners and senior leaders to deliver joined-up, effective support
- Take ownership of resources and budgets, ensuring services are delivered efficiently and sustainably
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What We’re Looking For – Knowledge, Experience & Skills
- Experience managing teams within children’s social care, including:
- Supervision, performance, and workforce development
- Understanding of performance management and quality assurance frameworks
- Relevant degree in Social Work and registration with Social Work England
- Knowledge of the challenges and experiences of children in care
- Ability to:
- Lead and manage change effectively
- Display a professional, positive, adaptable, and confident approach
- Engage in partnership working, influencing multi-agency initiatives
- Work to deadlines and motivate others to deliver high standards
- Commitment to:
- Diversity and inclusive practice
- Innovative, creative approaches to service improvement
- Strong customer and community focus
- High level of personal integrity and professionalism
- Self-motivated, proactive, "can do" attitude
- Strong analytical and decision-making skills for complex situations
- Comprehensive knowledge of:
- Statutory, policy, and strategic commissioning frameworks in local government
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Additional Information
- Permanent role, 37 hours per week (based in Bridgwater)
- Must be a qualified and registered Social Worker
- Hybrid working available
- 33 days’ annual leave (additional to bank holidays)
- Regretfully, no sponsorship offered for this role; applicants must have the right to work in the UK
Informal enquiries: Contact Annabelle Sargeant, email: Annabelle.sargeant@somerset.gov.uk
- A full job description will be provided to shortlisted candidates or upon request.
- Job reference: 862/HC
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