Team manager Care Service (Temporary Cover 6 months)

Why Southwark?

Do you see yourself leading a high-performing team that puts children's experiences, relationships and long-term outcomes at the centre of everything it does?

Can you use your experience of children in care, permanence planning and team leadership to drive high-quality practice and create lasting change for children and young people?

Does the idea of joining a forward-thinking local authority with a strong commitment to relationship-based, trauma-informed and anti-racist practice appeal to you?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Care 0-16 Service is looking for a passionate and dedicated Team Manager to join our amazing team and help make a difference today.

What You'll Be Doing

As Team Manager, you will provide strong, visible leadership to a team of social workers and senior social workers supporting children in care aged 0-16. You will oversee high-quality care planning, permanence planning and safeguarding activity, ensuring children receive safe, stable and nurturing care experiences.

You will provide effective management oversight, reflective supervision and professional challenge, supporting practitioners to deliver relationship-based interventions that achieve positive outcomes for children and families. Working closely with partner agencies, carers and families, you will ensure plans progress without delay and that children's voices remain central to decision-making.

Additional Information

Fixed Term Contract (6 months temporary cover)

Part time, 3 days per week

Enhanced DBS check required

Benefits and more information

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment Timeline

Advert close date: 11:59pm on 13/11/2026

Shortlisting date: 17/11/2026

Interview date: 24/11/2026

Our Values and Behaviours

At Southwark, our REACH values are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to being Resident-focused, Empowering, Accountable, Collaborative and Honest, in how we work with colleagues, residents, partners and communities. We welcome applications from people who share these values and are passionate about making a positive difference to our borough.

To learn more about our REACH values and behaviours, please visit: About Southwark - Southwark

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

This vacancy is subject to the council's redeployment arrangements. Eligible redeployees will be considered first, and the vacancy may be withdrawn if a suitable redeployee is appointed.

We are an organisation that is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition