Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Then, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team.
A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our exceptional Management Team within Wakefield’s Child Exploitation and Missing Service.
We are a strong, dynamic and welcoming team, committed to delivering high-quality, child‑centred practice for some of our most vulnerable children and young people. If you are looking for a leadership role where you can make a tangible impact on children at risk of exploitation and missing, this opportunity could be perfect for you.
Whilst the last few years have presented significant challenges, social work in Wakefield continues to thrive. With a stable senior leadership team and a largely permanent workforce, we are confident in our ability to deliver sustained improvement and positive outcomes for our district.
We recognise that social workers are highly skilled professionals working in complex circumstances. Supporting children affected by child exploitation, trafficking, and missing episodes requires resilience, curiosity, and strong professional judgement.
At Wakefield, we take an integrated and partnership‑focused approach, working closely with Police, Health, Education, Youth Justice and wider partners to deliver coordinated interventions and reduce risk.
Our recent GOOD Ofsted inspection (March 2025) reflects our strong practice model, positive culture, and commitment to continuous improvement.
About the Role
As Team Manager, you will lead a team of skilled practitioners working with children and young people who are at risk of, or experiencing, exploitation and missing episodes.
You will:
* Provide leadership, supervision and support to practitioners, including oversight of complex casework
* Drive high-quality practice in risk assessment, safety planning and intervention delivery
* Lead and coordinate multi‑agency responses to exploitation and missing children
* Chair meetings and contribute to complex decision‑making forums
* Ensure practice is informed by contextual safeguarding and trauma‑informed approaches
* Support the identification of emerging risks, themes and community hotspots
* Work with partners to disrupt exploitation, reduce missing episodes and improve outcomes
* Promote continuous learning, reflective practice and service improvement
What will be expected from me?
Managing a team of Child & Family Workers, you’ll help us achieve our aim of delivering outcomes for the children, young people, and families of Wakefield. It’s about showing strong leadership, driving continuous improvement, and putting the needs of children first, always.
You will have a strong understanding of multi‑agency working, with the ability to negotiate effectively with partners and colleagues to influence change and strengthen relationships.
You’ll know how to keep your team energised, motivated, and focused on achieving the best outcomes for children, adopting a relational and restorative approach to leadership.
Here we’re looking for only the best – those with the skills, motivation, and passion to help us move forwards. You will also:
* Be a qualified and experienced Social Worker with a strong track record in complex casework
* Be able to evidence strong management and leadership experience
* Build and maintain highly effective professional relationships
* Provide both support and constructive challenge to practitioners
* Be passionate about delivering high‑quality services and positive change
* Support the Service Manager and contribute to continuous service improvement
Essential requirements
* Dip.SW, CQSW, BA (Hons) Social Work or equivalent qualification
* Registered with Social Work England
* Strong experience of Multi‑Agency Exploitation / MACE / exploitation hubs
* The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and undergo Police vetting
What can I expect?
* A competitive salary
* Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
* Hybrid working (subject to role suitability)
* Access to high‑quality training programs to advance your career to the next level.
* We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work life balance as well as supportive leadership.
* Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
* Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
* Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more
Want to know more?
If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.
Name: Caroline Pickard
Tel: 01924 303456
E-mail: carolinepickard@wakefield.gov.uk
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