We are seeking an experienced Team Manager to provide strong, values‑led leadership within Children’s Services.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money and Empowerment.
Multi Agency Child Protection Team Manager – Children’s Services
Location: Hybrid (Council offices, community settings and home working)
Working Pattern: Full time
Grade - £, -£,
The council is implementing the Families First Partnership Programme which focuses on locality-based family help teams working closely with family help safeguarding teams and Multi Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPT) services to provide consistent, trauma-informed, and systemic support tailored to the needs of families.
You will ensure children and young people remain at the heart of all practice, leading a team to deliver high‑quality, child‑centred, trauma‑aware and strengths‑based services aligned with our Way of Working.
This is a key operational leadership role with responsibility for safeguarding, practice quality, people management and performance, working closely with partners to improve outcomes for children and families.
Key Responsibilities
To lead and manage a Multi Agency Child Protection Team responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children at risk of significant harm. The post holder will ensure the effective coordination of statutory child protection responses across Family Help incorporating Health, Education, Police and wider partners, embedding a child centred, relational and strengths-based, trauma-informed and systemic approach to practice.
The role involves the effective management of a Multi-Agency Team of professionals through supervision and reflective arrangements, ensuring high standards of practice and consistency of thresholds are maintained.
To line manage and develop staff through safe recruitment, supervision, coaching and performance management.
To provide operational and safeguarding leadership, including risk management and escalation
To promote a culture of reflective practice, learning and continuous improvement
To monitor performance, quality and outcomes, ensuring inspection readiness at all times
The post holder will work with Family Help Partners, Principal Social Worker and the Safeguarding Children’s Partnership to ensure robust quality assurance processes are in place promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
To contribute to service development, strategy, policy and performance reporting
To manage budgets and resources effectively in line with council guidelines
You will have:
A recognised Social Work qualification (DipSW or Degree) and Social Work England registration
Proven experience managing Children’s Services teams within statutory frameworks
Proven experience of managing complex safeguarding cases and working with partners to effect multi agency plans.
In-depth knowledge of child protection legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding procedures.
A track record of leading child‑centred practice and high‑performing teams
Knowledge of trauma‑informed, systemic and whole‑family approaches
Experience of performance management, quality assurance and inspection readiness
The ability to motivate, inspire and build confidence in others
A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
The resilience to work in a high‑pressure environment and manage competing priorities
This is a hybrid role, with most time spent on site or in Council buildings
The postholder will undertake other duties appropriate to the grade, supporting service development and change
Why Join Us?
You’ll join a service that values strong leadership, reflective practice and continuous improvement, where your work will make a meaningful difference to children and young people.
We have Magic Notes in Cheshire West and this is delivering clear benefits for both practitioners and managers, significantly reducing written administration by an average of six hours per week and allowing social workers to spend more time on direct practice. As a result, % of practitioners report increased job enjoyment and improved work–life balance. Practitioners describe being more physically and emotionally present with families, able to maintain eye contact, focus fully during assessments and meetings, and allow conversations to flow naturally, with positive feedback from families. The tool also reduces admin-related stress, enabling quicker case recording, deeper analysis, and greater focus on understanding lived experience, while improving accessibility for staff with additional needs such as dyslexia. From a management perspective, Magic Notes has improved morale, strengthened relationships with children and families, enhanced care planning and direct work, and is seen by all managers as having a positive impact on recruitment and retention, with most identifying it as a key factor in attracting and keeping staff.
The council is committed to professional growth, with many senior roles filled by individuals who have progressed internally. High-quality training and development opportunities are available, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
If you choose to join us we offer:
- Flexible remote working
- Bright, modern, recently refurbished office environments
- Free parking at all office locations
- Competitive salary and working rewards
- Up to days’ flexi leave per year, in addition to annual leave
- Social Work England registration paid for by the council
- High-quality supervision
- Strong reflective practice framework
- Excellent training opportunities