Description | Salary £51,356 - £55,612 Per annum | Fixed Term, until April 2027 | Full Time, 37 hours per week | East Lancashire | Lead the Future of Contextual Safeguarding within Lancashire Social Work Team Manager – EmPower Contextual Safeguarding East Lancashire | Burnley base with flexible working Salary: £51,356 – £55,612 | Permanent | 37 hours This role goes beyond traditional children’s social care; This is about leading real change. Lancashire has made a strong and sustained commitment to Contextual Safeguarding and we are now looking for an inspirational Social Work Team Manager to help us take the next stage of our ambition. If you are someone who: Is passionate about adolescents Recognises that young people’s risks often sit beyond the family home Wants real scope to influence practice and shape change influence systems and lead creatively …this role has been designed with you in mind. Why join EmPower? Our EmPower Service works with young people experiencing or at risk of experience harm beyond the home – including exploitation, violence, peer abuse and harm linked to places, spaces and group dynamics. You will be part of a joined‑up, system‑wide response to adolescent harm and you will working alongside police, education, health, community safety and voluntary partners to make environments safer for young people. This is a leadership role where thinking differently is expected, curiosity is valued and courage is supported. About the role As Team Manager, you will: Lead and inspire a skilled, multidisciplinary team working with complex adolescent risk Shape and embed Contextual Safeguarding practice across Lancashire Influence multi‑agency responses to exploitation, serious violence and peer harm Create a culture where practitioners feel supported, challenged and valued Balance strategic leadership with a manageable caseload (average c.12 children) Have the space and permission to try new ideas, learn and adapt This role would suit: An experienced Team Manager seeking meaningful, values‑driven work Or a Senior / Advanced Social Worker ready to step into leadership with the right support What makes Lancashire different? Genuine flexibility – working in ways that support good decision‑making and wellbeing Visible, supportive senior leadership Innovation encouraged, not restricted Investment in learning, development and wellbeing A culture that supports managers to make brave, child‑centred decisions You’ll be trusted to lead with autonomy and professional judgment. Who we’re looking for We’re looking for someone who: Is SWE registered with a Social Work qualification Has experience working with adolescents and contextual safeguarding Can lead with empathy, confidence and integrity Is excited by partnership working and influencing systems, not just services Wants to be part of something ambitious and evolving You don’t need to be a Contextual Safeguarding expert already — curiosity and values matter more than jargon. Interested? If you’d like an informal, honest conversation about the role, the team or the direction of travel, contact: For an informal discussion, please contact Jimmy Craik on Jimmy.Craik@lancashire.gov.uk Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence. You must be registered (SWE) to be appointed as a Social Worker or have applied to register with the Social Care Council. You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab. We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications. Job Description & Person Specification