Job Details:
Job Reference: HCC622775
Salary Range: £58,298 - £63,773 per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of £9,350 per annum
Work Location: Rookwood Centre, Eastleigh (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 24 November 2025
The Role:
As a Team Manager, you’ll lead our Children in Care team to deliver life-changing support to Hampshire’s most vulnerable children. You’ll oversee and support a team of qualified Social Workers, ensuring high-quality, responsive services that put children and young people at the heart of everything we do. Our Children’s Services are proud to be rated Outstanding by Ofsted – including for leadership and management. This is your opportunity to join a forward-thinking department committed to excellence and continuous improvement.
You’ll provide strong, visible leadership, creating a positive and accountable team culture while ensuring compliance with safeguarding principles, statutory guidance, and Hampshire County Council policies. This is a role where your decisions will make a real difference, and your ability to motivate and inspire others will help us achieve the best possible outcomes for children in care.
What you’ll do:
* Lead and motivate a team of Social Workers to deliver exceptional, child-centred services.
* Oversee casework and ensure compliance with safeguarding principles and statutory guidance.
* Manage budgets effectively, ensuring value for money and adherence to financial procedures.
* Build strong partnerships with multi-agency teams to enhance service delivery.
* Drive service development and continuous improvement initiatives.
What we’re looking for:
* Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
* Strong knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment, and relevant legislation.
* Proven experience in care management and supervising social work practice.
* Excellent leadership, communication, and partnership-building skills.
* Ability to make sound decisions in complex situations and manage competing priorities.
Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the 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?
* Be part of a team making a genuine difference to vulnerable young people.
* Access to professional development, post-qualifying training, and leadership development opportunities.
* Work in a supportive, collaborative environment that values innovation.
* 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.
* Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more information here .
Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.
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: Senior Social Worker, Social Work Supervisor, Social Work Team Manager, Children’s Services Team Leader, Social Care Manager, Looked After Children Team Manager, Social Work Manager, Children’s Social Care Team Manager.
Travel Requirements:
You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire 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:
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 Samantha Phippard, District Manager on samantha.phippard@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.