We currently have an opportunity for an experienced and committed Team Manager to join our Children's Safeguarding & Support Team within Solihull Children's Services. We are looking for exceptional candidates who are passionate about improving the lives of children, young people and their families at this critical time, here in Solihull. You will be responsible for the leadership and management of a social work team who work with children and family in need of support, and with some of our most vulnerable children and families. Our social workers are passionate and committed to making a difference in the lives of children subject to child protection plan and / or involved in care proceedings. We will enable you and your team to really invest in the children and families you support; building strong relationships over time and allowing you to see the long-term positive impact of your hard work and dedication. As the Team Manager, you will lead on operational developments alongside our partners, as well as working with others to develop services. You will take responsibility for the day to day operational management of a team of Social Workers and Family Support Workers, to ensure that children and their families receive a responsive service that promotes and safeguards their welfare. As a key part of the council leadership team, you will also have the opportunity to be creative, influence practice and promote a learning environment where team members can develop their skills, to enable them to do their job well and support children to achieve positive outcomes. And due to our investment and commitment to ensuring additional resources are in place, our Social Workers have genuinely manageable caseloads, to ensure the best possible outcomes for our children, young people and their families.

You will be social work qualified, registered with Social Work England and you will have substantial post qualifying experience of practice with children, families and their carers.,

• Significant management experience working within a pressurised children's social work environment
• Knowledge of relevant up to date relevant social work legislation, statutory guidance, theories and research and how it impacts on practice
• PQ or Practice Teaching Accreditation, or be working towards / willing to complete
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills, to enable you to build strong relationships with children, young people and their families / carers, as well as wider partners and voluntary agencies
• A full driving license and access to a car, though reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants, where required.
In return, we will agree a bespoke personal development plan; you will have access to our high quality internal training programme and continuous professional development framework, to enable you to further develop your leadership skills within a friendly, professional working environment., This post is covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers.

At Solihull Council, we pride ourselves on being a Council that is small enough to care, but big enough to make a difference. We are well on our way on our transformational journey, designed to improve the experience of the children and families we work with. Children's Services is our top priority within our Council Plan and we are placing children at the heart of all that we do., We are ambitious in Solihull and are building a stronger Solihull for our children, families and workforce. Connecting Families is the name of Solihull Children's Services practice framework. At its core Connecting Families demonstrates the beliefs, values and principles of restorative practice and gives us a consistent relationship-based way of practicing to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families. We believe that families and their connected networks are of primary importance and are the most important influence on improving outcomes for children. We believe that children and their family networks are experts in their own lives and that children and their family networks have strengths, on which they should be empowered to build and draw on through effective family decision making. We are a small and friendly local authority with good relationships across the children's social work service. We also have close partnerships across agencies in the borough, which allow for a culture of support, shared learning and mentoring between agencies. Our team also enjoy a hybrid approach, working from both their home and our modern offices, as well as various flexible working arrangements and a generous benefits package that includes; competitive salaries and payment of SWE registration; a modern working environment; a staff discount scheme; and a strong focus on staff wellbeing, with access to our Employee Assistance programme. So, if you are ready to lead our ambitious team - and make a tangible impact and positive difference to families' lives - then we would be delighted to receive your application.