Description
* Suffolk County Council
* Address: Riverside, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0EQ
* Salary: £53,799 per annum (pro rata for part time)
* Hours: 37 hours per week
* Contract: Permanent
This post is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only.
An exciting opportunity has arisen in the role of Social Care Practice Manager in the Lowestoft and Waveney Social Care Teams, based at Riverside, Lowestoft.
Your role and responsibilities
You will:
* manage a team of Social Workers, developing high quality practice and performance
* ensure children and families are fully involved in planning using Suffolk Signs of Safety and Wellbeing principles
* take the lead for audit of casework, ensuring case recording is of high quality and in timescale
* deal with complaints, seeking early resolution where possible
* effectively manage budgets and team resources
* be involved in the recruitment and selection of staff
* develop strategic planning and project management.
This role also comes at a time of change within the organisation, so the successful candidate will be keen to embrace change and can support the leadership with transforming services in the coming months, as well as someone who is able to work effectively with colleagues across services, including Safeguarding and Family Support.
You will need:
* experience of supervising or mentoring staff effectively, ensuring good practice and successful outcomes
* the ability to manage resources effectively, ensuring quality of delivery and within the allocated budget
* experience of quality assurance processes, with the ability to interpret data and act on findings
* to be able to lead on practice, and support professional development of the team
* extensive experience of child protection work, care proceedings and supporting children in need.
* to be a registered social worker with Social Work England.
You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application.
Empowering Everyone
We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report.
For more information
Please contact Steve Blaney for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling or emailing
How to apply
Step 1 - Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (Word).
Step 2 - Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application.
Step 3 - Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template (Word).
1. Can you share an example of when you have led or contributed to a significant transformation or change initiative within a social care setting? How did you approach the challenges, engage your team, and ensure the changes were successfully embedded?
2. Give an example of how you have ensured that children and families were actively involved in planning and decision-making. What approaches did you use, and what was the outcome?
Describe a situation where you dealt with a complaint or conflict within your team. What steps did you take to seek early resolution?
4. Can you provide an example of how you have managed budgets and team resources effectively to deliver quality outcomes?
5. How do you demonstrate a commitment to fairness, equality, diversity, and inclusion in your work?
Step 4 - Upload a CV (without name and personal details).
We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process.
Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing or calling If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process.
Closing date: 11.30pm, 2 December
Interview date: 8 December 2025.
This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts.