Locum Safeguarding Team Manager
Exeter, Devon
Team Manager (Children’s Services – Corporate Parenting, Children in Care)
Location:
South & West Devon – Devon County Council
Brief Job Overview
We are seeking a skilled and compassionate Team Manager to join Devon County Council’s Corporate Parenting Service, supporting Children in Care across South & West Devon.
As a key leader within the service, you will provide strong operational and professional oversight to ensure the delivery of high-quality, restorative social care. You will lead, motivate, and support a dedicated team of social workers to deliver outstanding care and improve outcomes for children and young people looked after by the local authority.
This is a rewarding opportunity for an experienced manager to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families, while being part of a council committed to innovation, relationship-based practice, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership to the Corporate Parenting team, ensuring effective service delivery and compliance with statutory responsibilities.
- Lead and inspire a team of social workers supporting children in care, promoting best practice and reflective supervision.
- Champion restorative and relationship-based approaches, embedding these principles into everyday practice across the team.
- Oversee complex casework and decision-making to ensure high-quality interventions and timely progress toward permanence.
- Support and develop staff through supervision, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Work closely with colleagues across Children’s Services, Fostering, Education, and partner agencies to ensure coordinated, child-focused support.
- Monitor and evaluate team performance, identifying areas for development and driving improvement where needed.
- Promote the voice of children and young people, ensuring their needs and aspirations remain at the centre of all care planning and decision-making.
- Lead on safeguarding and risk management within the team, ensuring adherence to legal frameworks and local policies.
About You
You are an experienced and confident leader with a strong track record in Children’s Social Care, particularly within Children in Care / Corporate Parenting services. You bring empathy, resilience, and vision to your role, fostering a culture of support and accountability within your team.
You have the ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining focus on delivering positive outcomes for children and families. Your leadership style is collaborative and empowering, grounded in restorative principles and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.
Requirements
- Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
- Extensive post-qualifying experience within Children’s Social Care.
- Previous experience as a Team Manager in Children in Care / Corporate Parenting settings.
- In-depth knowledge of relevant legislation, guidance, and best practice within children’s social work.
- Proven ability to lead, support, and develop social work teams.
- Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong relationship-building and conflict resolution skills.
- Commitment to restorative practice and relationship-based social work.
- Ability to work on-site at least twice per week in South & West Devon.
Contract & Salary
- Job Type: Locum / Fixed-term
- Location: South & West Devon, Devon County Council
- Service Area: Corporate Parenting – Children in Care
- 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 two days per week on-site
About the Service
Devon County Council’s Corporate Parenting Service is committed to ensuring that every child in our care is supported to thrive, achieve, and build positive lifelong relationships.
Our approach is underpinned by restorative practice—focusing on trust, collaboration, and empathy to repair and strengthen relationships with children, carers, and families. We are proud to invest in continuous training and development for all our staff, ensuring every practitioner and manager has the tools and support to deliver excellent care.
How to Apply
If you are an experienced and dedicated Team Manager with a passion for improving outcomes for children in care, we’d love to hear from you.
Please apply using the form on the page.