Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC622896
Salary Range: £48,993 - £53,427 pro-rata, per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of £8,350 pro-rata, per annum (actual salary £24,496 - £26,713 per annum)
Work Location: Dame Mary Fagan House, Basingstoke (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 18.5
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 23 December 2025
Interview Date: w/c 5 January 2026
The Role:
Step into a role where your leadership truly matters. As an Assistant Team Manager in our Children in Care Team, you’ll help shape the future for children and young people who need stability and support the most. You’ll join a passionate, collaborative team committed to making a difference – where your expertise will influence practice, inspire colleagues, and drive positive change. This is more than a job; it’s an opportunity to drive positive change and be part of a service that values innovation and professional growth.
What you’ll do:
1. Work directly with children in care, ensuring statutory requirements are met.
2. Support the team with care orders, assessments, and reunification planning.
3. Assist with caseload management, including co-working on complex cases and quality-assuring reports.
4. Mentor and supervise staff, contributing to individual and group supervision sessions.
5. Chair meetings, deputise for the Team Manager, and allocate tasks to team members.
6. Promote best practice and ensure adherence to safeguarding policies and departmental standards.
What we’re looking for:
7. Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
8. Significant frontline statutory social work experience, including senior-level practice within Children & Families services.
9. Strong knowledge of legislation, safeguarding principles, and risk assessment.
10. Excellent assessment, communication, and organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex cases and competing priorities.
11. Ability to lead, motivate and support a diverse team, fostering a positive and high-performing environment.
12. Highly motivated and committed to achieving positive outcomes for children.
Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Assistant Team Manager role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.
Why join us?
13. Be part of a supportive, collaborative team passionate about improving outcomes for children.
14. Access to ongoing training and development opportunities.
15. Up to £8,500 relocation assistance for experienced UK-based Social Workers relocating to Hampshire (subject to management approval).
16. Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
17. Generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here.
Important:You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Other job titles you may be searching for may include: Deputy Team Manager, Assistant Manager – Children’s Services, Senior Social Work Practitioner, Practice Supervisor, Senior Social Worker.
Travel Requirements:
You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight or other local authority, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.
Additional Information:
Assistant Team Manager (Children in Care) Candidate Pack
Vetting Requirements:
The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk
For an informal chat about the role, please contact Alex Shoetan, Team Manager on alex.shoetan@hants.gov.uk
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.