Deputy Manager - Children's Services

3 Month Contract With A Local Authority

Job Purpose

To support the Team Manager in the effective leadership and day-to-day management of the Review Team, ensuring the delivery of safe, high-quality, and effective social care services to children and families.

The postholder will directly supervise three Social Workers, providing effective case supervision, professional guidance, support, and direction. They will hold a small caseload of complex cases and contribute to the assessment, review, care planning, and safeguarding of children with complex needs.

The Deputy Manager will deputise for the Team Manager when required and support the delivery of high-quality practice in line with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies, national standards, and organisational objectives. The role will also contribute to staff development, quality assurance, performance management, reflective practice, and continuous service improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Directly supervise three Social Workers within the Review Team, providing regular case supervision, professional guidance, and clear direction.
  
• Support staff to develop their practice, knowledge, skills, and professional confidence through reflective supervision, coaching, and constructive feedback.
  
• Deputise for the Team Manager as required, contributing to the leadership, management, and effective operation of the team.
  
• Support the Team Manager in monitoring team performance, practice standards, workload, and the quality and timeliness of service delivery.
  
• Hold and manage a small caseload of complex cases, ensuring appropriate assessment, safeguarding, care planning, review, and intervention.
  
• Provide oversight and professional challenge in relation to safeguarding, risk assessment, care planning, and decision-making.
  
• Support the Review Team in undertaking reviews and assessments of care packages and ensuring children’s needs are appropriately identified and met.
  
• Promote effective partnership working with children, young people, families, colleagues, and multi-agency professionals.
  
• Ensure practice is delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, statutory guidance, local policies, procedures, and professional standards.
  
• Contribute to quality assurance activities, case audits, performance monitoring, and the identification of areas for practice improvement.
  
• Promote strong, reflective, evidence-based social work practice across the team.
  
• Identify and address practice issues appropriately, providing support and challenge to ensure positive outcomes for children and families.
  
• Contribute to service development and continuous improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to improve outcomes and service quality.
  
• Build and maintain effective and timely relationships with key stakeholders and partner agencies.
  
• Support the Team Manager in managing competing priorities, workload pressures, and operational demands.
  
• Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion throughout practice, particularly in relation to children and young people with disabilities.
  
• Maintain accurate, timely, and high-quality records, assessments, reports, and case documentation.
  
• Contribute to a positive team culture that encourages collaboration, accountability, learning, resilience, and professional development.
  
• Ensure the voice, wishes, and feelings of children and families remain central to practice and decision-making.
  

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker with current Social Work England registration.
  
• Significant post-qualifying experience in children’s social care.
  
• Experience working within a statutory children’s social care environment.
  
• Experience within Children with Disabilities services is highly desirable.
  
• Strong knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and 2004, Care Act, SEND framework, and relevant social care legislation and guidance.
  
• Strong experience in safeguarding, risk assessment, care planning, assessment, and review.
  
• Experience working with children and young people with complex needs.
  
• Proven experience supervising, supporting, and developing Social Workers or other practitioners.
  
• Ability to provide effective case supervision, professional challenge, and guidance.
  
• Experience or confidence in deputising for a Team Manager and supporting operational management.
  
• Strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
  
• Experience of effective multi-agency working and partnership development.
  
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, report writing, and recording skills.
  
• Experience of quality assurance and contributing to service improvement.
  
• Commitment to achieving positive outcomes for children, young people, and their families.
  
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion, particularly in relation to disability.
  
• Commitment to reflective practice, continuous learning, and professional development.
  
• Resilient, adaptable, organised, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  

Additional Information

• Location: Thurrock Council - Hybrid – minimum 2 days per week in the office.
  
• Hours per week: 37 Hours - Monday to Thursday, 09:00–17:30; Friday, 09:00–16:30.
  
• Bi-Weekly Payments: Paid every two weeks.