Southend-on-Sea City Council Team Manager – Adoption Salary: £53,460–£58,959 £7,500 R&R payment after 3 years and 1 day | Permanent | Full-time Intro paragraph: Southend-on-Sea City Council is recruiting an experienced Team Manager – Adoption to lead statutory adoption services, providing strong operational leadership and ensuring safe, high-quality outcomes for children and adoptive families. What’s on Offer Competitive permanent salary at management level £7,500 recruitment and retention payment after 3 years and 1 day Stable leadership role within a specialist adoption service Ongoing professional development and senior management supportKey Responsibilities Lead and manage the adoption service, ensuring statutory compliance and high professional standards Provide day-to-day management, supervision and performance oversight of senior practitioners and social workers Quality assure assessments, care planning and permanence outcomes for children Oversee complex and high-risk adoption cases where required Ensure compliance with Adoption Regulations, National Minimum Standards and local procedures Contribute to service development, performance improvement and strategic planning Work in partnership with internal teams, courts and external agencies Represent the local authority at panels, meetings and legal proceedings As Team Manager – Adoption, ensure effective use of resources and contribute to budget managementRequirements Qualified Social Worker with current professional registration Minimum 4 years’ post-qualifying statutory experience in children’s services Proven experience working as an Adoption Practitioner within adoption services Demonstrable management or supervisory experience within adoption or permanence services Strong knowledge of adoption legislation, guidance and safeguarding frameworks Ability to lead teams, manage performance and make sound, evidence-based decisions The Team Manager – Adoption must be able to travel for work as requiredWhy Ackerman Pierce? Dedicated permanent recruitment support Interview and offer guidance Long-term career advice Ready to Apply? Contact Phil at Ackerman Pierce on (phone number removed) or email (url removed) to apply or find out more