Locum Safeguarding Team Manager

Team Manager – Children with Disabilities Team

Brief Job Overview

 
We are recruiting an experienced and motivated Team Manager to lead the Children with Disabilities (CwD) Team at the London Borough of Redbridge on a 6-month locum contract. This is a key leadership position responsible for managing a team of social workers supporting some of the most vulnerable children in the borough, including those on Child Protection (CP), Child in Need (CIN), and Looked After Children (LAC) plans.  

The successful candidate will provide strong supervision, oversight, and direction to ensure high-quality, legally compliant social work practice that protects children and promotes their wellbeing.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and management to the Children with Disabilities Team, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality social work practice.
• Supervise, support, and develop a team of seven social workers, overseeing casework and ensuring compliance with statutory guidance and local procedures.
• Oversee complex cases, including those involving care proceedings and safeguarding interventions.
• Lead and participate in strategy meetings with police and other professionals to ensure robust multi-agency decision-making.
• Ensure children with disabilities on CIN, CP, and LAC plans receive appropriate and timely support and protection.
• Monitor and manage performance, ensuring effective use of supervision, case audits, and reflective practice to drive quality improvement.
• Handle team management responsibilities including complaints, capability, and sickness procedures in accordance with council policies.
• Complete and oversee NQSW portfolio information and provide mentoring and guidance to newly qualified social workers.
• Represent the service at court hearings, case conferences, and multi-agency panels as required.
• Ensure that all practice promotes inclusion, equality, and positive outcomes for children and families.

About You

 
You are a skilled and confident social work leader with a strong background in managing teams that support children with disabilities or complex needs. You bring extensive experience in child protection, care proceedings, and supervision of practitioners. You are a reflective leader who combines empathy with professional rigour, ensuring your team delivers safe, consistent, and child-centred practice.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Substantial post-qualified experience in children’s social care, including at management or senior practitioner level.
• Proven experience managing Child Protection, Child in Need, and Looked After Children cases.
• Strong understanding of the Children Act 1989 and associated safeguarding legislation and guidance.
• Experience managing and supervising social work teams, including performance management and professional development.
• Excellent communication, decision-making, and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead multi-agency work and coordinate complex case planning effectively.
• Experience supporting children with disabilities and their families in statutory settings.

Contract & Salary

• Job Type: Locum
• Location: London Borough of Redbridge
• Team: Children with Disabilities
• Contract Length: 6 months
• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
• Working Hours: Full-time
• Working Pattern: Hybrid / Office-based as required

How to Apply

 
If you are a dynamic and experienced social work manager with a passion for supporting children with disabilities and leading high-performing teams, we’d love to hear from you.  
Please apply using the form on the page.