Job Title: Team Manager - Assessment & Safeguarding Service
Organisation: Darlington Borough Council
Pay Rate: £36.61 per hour
Working Pattern: Hybrid (split between home working and office/site base in Darlington)
Employment Type: Temporary / Locum Contract
About the Role
Darlington Borough Council is seeking an experienced and dedicated Team Manager to lead our Assessment & Safeguarding Service. In this role, you will play a key leadership part in ensuring high standards of child protection, robust assessment practice, and high-quality safeguarding outcomes for vulnerable children and families across the borough.
This position offers a hybrid working model, allowing for a balance of remote/agile working alongside necessary on-site leadership, case supervision, and team presence in Darlington.
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Leadership: Provide strong day-to-day management, direction, and leadership to a team of qualified Social Workers and practitioners within the Assessment & Safeguarding Service.
- Quality & Safeguarding: Oversee statutory assessments, child protection plans, court work, and care proceedings, ensuring all actions adhere to national legislation, statutory guidance, and local policy.
- Supervision & Support: Deliver regular, reflective supervision to social work staff, supporting their professional development, managing caseloads, and prioritising staff wellbeing.
- Performance & Quality Assurance: Monitor team performance targets, conduct regular case audits, and drive continuous improvement to deliver optimal outcomes for children and young people.
- Multi-Agency Working: Maintain and foster effective collaborative working relationships with external partners, including health services, police, schools, and local safeguarding boards.
- Resource & Budget Management: Effectively manage team resources, ensure timely decision-making, and escalate complex risks or budgetary considerations to senior management as required.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Qualification: Professional Degree/Diploma in Social Work (BA, BSc, MA, DipSW, or equivalent).
- Registration: Active registration with Social Work England.
- Experience: Proven experience as a Team Manager or experienced Deputy/Assistant Team Manager within a statutory Children's Social Care setting (specifically Assessment or Safeguarding).
- Knowledge: Deep understanding of current children's legislation (Children Act 1989/2004, Working Together to Safeguard Children), statutory frameworks, and court procedures.
- Skills: Excellent leadership, decision-making, communication, and risk-management capabilities.
- Compliance: Enhanced DBS check (on the update service) and valid UK driving licence with access to a vehicle for business use.
Benefits
hourly pay rate of £36.61/hr.
- Flexible hybrid working environment to support work-life balance.
- Supportive management structure and dedicated multi-agency partners.
Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone.
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