Team Manager – Children’s Social Care

Job Description

About Sutton

Sutton is a thriving London borough known for high resident satisfaction, strong public services, and an ambitious vision for the future. With excellent transport links (Zone 5, direct trains to Central London and the South East), Sutton offers a great work-life balance and a supportive working culture. The Council’s “Ambitious for Sutton” plan outlines our long-term strategy to improve the borough for all who live and work here.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and committed Team Manager to join our Children’s Locality Teams. This is a key leadership role overseeing a team responsible for Child Protection, Child in Need, and Assessment & Referral services.

You will lead and manage a team of 4 Social Workers and 1 Specialist Support Worker, providing professional oversight and decision-making support. You’ll work closely with partner agencies in health, education, and the voluntary sector to deliver integrated plans that place children at the heart of all decisions.

This role is ideal for experienced senior social workers or assistant/team managers looking to advance their leadership career within a supportive and innovative local authority.

Key Responsibilities

Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team delivering statutory services for children and families.

Oversee complex cases, ensuring legal and policy compliance and high-quality assessments and plans.

Collaborate with key partners to coordinate care and support for children and families.

Provide supervision, mentorship, and development opportunities for team members.

Monitor performance and ensure effective service delivery aligned with the Children Act 1989 and Working Together 2023 guidance.

Promote best practices and champion innovation in social work approaches.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

Qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.

Substantial post-qualification experience in children’s social care.

Strong leadership and team management skills.

In-depth knowledge of child protection legislation and statutory guidance.

Experience working across multi-agency environments.

Proven ability to manage complex workloads, meet deadlines, and drive service improvement.

Desirable:

Master’s degree or additional management qualifications.

Experience in supervising or mentoring social workers.

Familiarity with auditing and quality assurance in social care settings.

Welcome & Retention Bonus Package

Receive up to £7,000 over the first few years of employment:

£1,000 – paid in the first month’s salary

£1,000 – after completing Year 1

£2,000 – after completing Year 2

£3,000 – after completing Year 3 and annually thereafter

This brings the total potential reward package up to £62,620.

Why Work with Us

Hybrid working: Work flexibly between home and the office.

Supportive environment: Manageable caseloads, regular supervision, strong leadership.

Professional development: Opportunities through the Developing Together Social Work Teaching Partnership, including pre- and post-qualifying training.

Inclusive culture: Active staff networks including BAME+, LGBTQ+, and Women’s+.

Benefits

28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)

Local Government Pension Scheme

Flexi-time (Grade 1–9 roles)

Season ticket and cycle-to-work loans

Free eye tests and glasses contribution

Confidential wellbeing support & counselling

Zip Car scheme and car parking support

Subsidised gym membership

Staff discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure

3 annual volunteering days

Diversity & Inclusion

Sutton Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer and is committed to building a workforce that reflects the community it serves. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic groups and disabled applicants.

We anonymise personal details in the shortlisting process to reduce unconscious bias and ensure fairness.

Application Process

Apply online by 30 September 2025, outlining your relevant experience, skills, and how you meet the criteria detailed in the role profile. Applications will be assessed against the essential and desirable requirements listed.

Early applications are encouraged – the vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received.

For further information or an informal chat, contact: