Team Manager – 16+ Leaving Care

Grade: G10 - Salary - £59,511 - £63,966pa

Are you an experienced social work leader passionate about supporting young people as they move towards independence?

We are seeking a Team Manager to lead our 16+ Leaving Care Team within the Starting Well Service in the People Directorate. This is a key leadership role supporting care-experienced young people through transition, ensuring they receive high-quality, consistent and aspirational support as they move into adulthood.

About the Role

As Team Manager for the 16+ Leaving Care Team, you will be responsible for the operational management of a multi-disciplinary team delivering statutory services to young people aged 16+ and care leavers.

You will manage approximately 12 staff, including Social Workers, Leaving Care Personal Advisors, Advanced Practitioners and specialist roles. You will ensure practice is young-person-centred, strengths-based and outcome-focused, supporting care leavers to achieve stability, independence and positive life chances.

Lead the delivery of high-quality Leaving Care services in line with legislation, statutory guidance and best practice
Ensure effective pathway planning that captures and evidences the voice of the young person
Provide high-quality supervision, appraisal and professional development for staff
Promote purposeful, relationship-based and face-to-face practice
Chair reviews, panels and multi-agency meetings
Work closely with housing, health, education, employment and partner agencies
Ensure robust recording and effective use of systems
Contribute to service development and manage budgets effectively
Participate in an out-of-hours rota and travel as required

About You

You will be a confident and values-driven leader with a strong commitment to improving outcomes for care-experienced young people.

A relevant Social Work qualification and registration with Social Work England
Experience of managing statutory children’s social care or Leaving Care services
Strong knowledge of legislation and best practice relating to care leavers
Proven experience of supervising, coaching and developing staff
Experience of working within a systemic model of practice
Strong leadership, communication and decision-making skills
High levels of organisation, resilience and adaptability
A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive practice
A genuine passion for supporting young people into successful adulthood

Please view Job Profile here

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Simone.Martin@havering.gov.uk

The closing date for the receipt of applications is 19/05/2026, however interest in this job may be high and we therefore reserve the right to close the vacancy early.

You will be notified if your application has been successful. Interview date to be confirmed.

Additional Information

We want everyone to choose Havering. When you apply for a job with us, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. Our residents and service users come from all walks of life, and so do our employees. Find out what it means to Choose Havering.

The London Borough of Havering has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.