Locum Safeguarding Team Manager

Team Manager (Children’s) – Exeter & East Devon

Brief Job Overview

 
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Children’s Team Manager to join Devon County Council, supporting children, young people, and families across Exeter and East Devon. This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within Children’s Services, driving high-quality social work practice and ensuring the best possible outcomes for children and families.  

Our Team Managers are central to the delivery of outstanding social care. You’ll lead and inspire a dedicated team of practitioners, embedding Devon’s restorative practice approach to build, maintain, and repair relationships with children, families, and partners. We are investing significantly in training and development to support all our staff in delivering relationship-based, strengths-led social work.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide clear, effective leadership to a team of Social Workers, promoting high standards of professional practice across all areas of work.
• Oversee case management and ensure compliance with statutory requirements, safeguarding procedures, and best practice guidance.
• Lead on Child Protection, Safeguarding, and Court Work to ensure children’s welfare is at the forefront of decision-making.
• Offer professional supervision, guidance, and performance management to develop and support team members.
• Champion Devon’s restorative practice model, embedding it within everyday practice to strengthen relationships and outcomes for families.
• Ensure that cases are progressed in a timely, effective, and child-centred way, maintaining clear oversight of risk and quality.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to promote effective multi-agency working and shared accountability.
• Contribute to service development, innovation, and continuous improvement through reflective practice and leadership insight.
• Support workforce development through mentoring, training, and modelling best practice in line with organisational values.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of casework, supervision, and management decisions in line with policy and performance expectations.

About You

 
You are an experienced leader and qualified Social Worker with a strong background in safeguarding, court work, and team management. You bring confidence, empathy, and clear professional judgment to your leadership style. You are passionate about developing your team, supporting good practice, and ensuring that children and families receive consistent, high-quality support.  

You’ll have the interpersonal skills to inspire, motivate, and build positive relationships across the service, and the resilience to lead in a fast-paced, evolving environment. You’ll be a reflective practitioner who champions learning, inclusion, and collaboration.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Substantial experience working within Children’s Services, including safeguarding and court proceedings.
• Proven experience as a Team Manager or Senior Practitioner in a local authority setting.
• Strong understanding of relevant legislation, guidance, and statutory responsibilities under the Children Act 1989 and associated frameworks.
• Excellent leadership, supervision, and performance management skills.
• Commitment to embedding restorative practice and relationship-based social work.
• Strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work on-site at least three days per week in the Exeter & East Devon area.

Contract & Salary

• Job Type: Locum
• Location: Exeter & East Devon (Devon County Council)
• Service Area: Children’s Services
• Contract Length: 3 months (with potential for extension)
• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
• Working Hours: Full-time, 37 hours per week
• Working Pattern: Hybrid / Minimum three days on-site

How to Apply

 
If you are an experienced and inspiring Team Manager who shares our passion for delivering high-quality, relationship-based social work, we’d love to hear from you.  
Please apply using the form on the page.