Team Manager - 16+ Leaving Care Team

Overview

We’re looking for an inspiring and motivated Team Manager to join our 16+ Leaving Care Team within our Corporate Parenting Service. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children in care and care experienced young adults. Our vision is centred on ensuring that every child in care, and every care-experienced young adult, is empowered to thrive and reach their full potential. By embracing a culture of continuous improvement, we aim to create a service that is both responsive and adaptive to the changing needs of the children and young people we support. Central to this vision is the development of a skilled, compassionate workforce, working in partnership with our children and young people, and upholding the highest standards of care. Through collaborative working, strong leadership, and a continued focus on positive outcomes, we will have a service that puts children and young people at the heart of everything we do, and realise our ambition for lasting, meaningful change.

In addition to the advertised salary, you will receive a market premium of £2,750 per annum.

You will also be entitled to a Golden Hello payment of £2,125 after 1 years service (external candidates only)

We have 2 full time, permanent positions available.

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

We are looking for motivated, ambitious and inspiring people to join us on our journey. You will be entitled to a range of different benefits to make sure you are happy both at work and at home.

About the role

As a Team Manager, you will lead a dedicated team of social workers and personal advisors, guiding them to deliver high‑quality, relationship‑based practice. You’ll provide strong oversight of casework, ensuring timely transitions to adulthood, ensuring risk is recognised and managed effectively with multiagency partners in Adults Social Care, Mental Health, Housing and Education and Employment partners, and that children and young people consistently receive the best support possible.

You will be responsible for developing your team, driving performance and working collaboratively with partners to deliver holistic, joined‑up services. Whether you’re contributing to service development, overseeing complex decisions, or championing quality standards, your leadership will directly enhance outcomes for the young people we support.

Key elements of the role include:

• Providing reflective, supportive supervision that develops and motivates your team.
• Ensuring ambitious social work and transition planning for our young people.
• Maintaining clear oversight of casework to ensure safe, timely and effective interventions.
• Building productive working relationships with internal teams and external partners.
• Leading on quality assurance activity and contributing to continuous service improvement.

About you

You’ll bring substantial experience from Children’s Services and a strong understanding of statutory social work and Corporate Parenting responsibilities. As a confident and thoughtful leader, you know how to inspire teams, navigate change and maintain consistently high practice standards. You communicate effectively, work collaboratively and approach challenges with empathy, professionalism and sound judgement.

Your strengths will include excellent organisational skills, a commitment to safeguarding, and a desire to support your team to be the best they can be. You’ll also hold registration with Social Work England, a recognised social work qualification and be committed to ongoing professional development. A full driving licence is essential for this role.

Other information

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Nichola Gallagher at [email protected]

Closing Date: Midnight on Thursday 26th February

Interview Date: Tuesday 3rd March

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Buckinghamshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent convictions and conditional cautions
• All spent convictions and adult cautions that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020 and 2023).

For further information on filtering please refer to Nacro guidance and the guidance published by the Ministry of Justice (see, in particular, the section titled ‘Exceptions Order’).

Our values

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements.

We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants and shops, a generous employer pension contribution in line with the Local Government Pension Scheme, discounts on gym memberships and more - https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/

Social Workers are also entitled to a generous enhanced reward package, as follows:

• Competitive salary with a market increment
• A ‘Golden Hello’ lump sum payment upon successful completion of probation
• Annual leave up to 30 days per year, as well as other types of leave and the opportunity to buy further leave
• Up to 15 days per year training, learning and development offer
• Free parking across all of our office sites 

If you are interested in relocating to Buckinghamshire and working with us, relocation packages are also available.