Team Manager - Children in Care

Salary: £59K- £65,607 / Year

Job type: Permanent

Location: Chatham

Medway Council is seeking a passionate and experienced Team Manager to lead and support a dedicated team of social workers and family support workers within our Children in Care service. This is a pivotal role focused on improving outcomes for vulnerable children, young people, and their families through effective leadership, partnership working, and high-quality social work practice.

What you’ll do:

• Lead, manage, and motivate a team of social workers and family support workers, providing high-quality supervision and case management oversight.


• Allocate cases to ensure timely assessments, statutory visits, and care planning.


• Develop staff through performance reviews, professional development, and reflective practice.


• Contribute to budget management, staffing, and safer recruitment within the service.


• Chair strategy, review, and planning meetings, ensuring effective collaboration with internal and external partners.


• Champion the voices of children and young people, promoting their rights and participation in decision-making.

About you:

• Qualified Social Worker with minimum 5 years post-qualifying experience, including statutory work with children and families.


• Proven experience managing and supervising staff in statutory social work settings.


• Skilled in strengths-based and relationship-focused practice; knowledge of Signs of Safety desirable.


• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, statutory guidance, and local policies.


• Excellent communication, decision-making, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage complex situations effectively.


• Leadership or management qualification, or equivalent experience at a managerial level.


• Committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Why join Medway Council:

• Be part of a forward-thinking team driving change and improving outcomes for children in care.


• Competitive salary with additional market premia and retention payments.


• Hybrid working with a minimum of 2 office days per week.


• Opportunities to shape and influence service delivery and practice standards.

Take the next step in your social work leadership career and make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children and their families.

Contact Phil at Ackerman Pierce on 02038546682, ppuaca@ackermanpierce.com