Team Manager - Dartford Children’s Social Work Service

Role Responsibility

We have an exciting vacancy within Dartford Children’s Social Work Service for a Team Manager. The successful candidate will be welcomed into one of our four Team’s and will be based at The Willows in Swanley. This post will have direct line management responsibility of a team of Social Workers and a Senior Practitioner and will work closely with the other Team Managers to provide a cohesive Service across North Kent Children's Social Work Services.
For this role, you will not only meet the conditions of the Job Description and Person Specification but will also be highly organised, flexible, and able to work in a fast paced and child focused environment. This role will also require you to be mobile throughout a wide operational area including travelling around Kent and beyond to support our children and young people.
You will be a champion of social work values, delivering and improving services for children and young people. You will allocate resources and workload and ensure the provision of cost-effective services. Your day-to-day support and high quality caseload supervision will ensure your team can meet the complex and changing demands of the service, as well as enable their ongoing development. Working in partnership with a broad range of agencies, you will contribute to the development of Children’s Services procedures and policies. And, advising on commissioning strategies, you’ll ensure that services are developed and accessible to all children, young people and families needing support, protection and intervention
The Team
Join Dartford Children’s Social Work Service – Where Your Expertise Makes a Difference
Dartford Children’s Social Work Service is a dynamic frontline service comprising 4 dedicated teams. Led by experienced Team Managers, our workforce includes Social Workers, Senior Practitioners, and Social Work Assistants – all committed to delivering high-quality support to children and families.
We work with families from the point of referral, conducting thorough Child and Family Assessments and Section 47 Investigations to identify the most effective ways to safeguard and support children. Our service continues to work alongside families requiring ongoing Child in Need and Child Protection plans, supporting them through to resolution – whether that be stepping down to Early Help, case closure, or progression through the Public Law Outline to initial court proceedings.
About you
Your social work degree – CQSW, DipSW or equivalent – must be supported by professional registration and extensive post-qualification experience. This experience should include supervision, budget management, and joint working with partners in the statutory, private and voluntary sectors. You should be confident in your ability to lead and develop a team. And, with an in-depth understanding of safeguarding procedures, legislative frameworks and social work theories relating to child services, you’ll have the expertise needed to contribute to practice and policy development. In return, we offer an attractive benefits package, a competitive salary and a range of professional development opportunities.
About us
We are proud of our strong and often exceptional services in Kent, and we are continuing to ensure 'Children are at the centre of Kent County Council's culture and practice.' Following our most recent Ofsted inspection, we remain committed to delivering high-quality support that makes a positive difference to the lives of children and families across the county. As one of the largest Children's Social Work Services in the country, we offer a comprehensive learning and development framework to support your career journey.
We want the best for the children of Kent, and this can only be delivered as a team effort with everyone playing their part, so we’re creating a culture that fosters excellence and collaboration – a place where social workers are empowered to be creative and share ideas and advice.
Our Offer
- Base Salary: £55,764 - £62,535 + premiums
- Car Market Premium: £2,000
- Annual Retention Premium: £3,000
- Golden Hello: £3000 one off payment for new joiners
- Relocation: Up to £8,000 (if applicable)
- Annual Leave: 30 days
This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring service and registration as a qualified Social Worker with Social Work England.
This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

Contact Details

For an informal discussion about the role and the team, please contact Jane Rees, Service Manager, at
jane.rees@kent.gov.uk
For any queries regarding the application process, please contact Charles Okoh, Business Support Lead, at
charles.okoh@kent.gov.uk

About the Company

Work that works for you and us - let's talk flexibility!
KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county's working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.

Job Description & Person Specification

Team Manager JD.pdf