We’re seeking an experienced Team Manager within our Children with Disabilities Team at Cheshire West and Chester.
If you are passionate about supporting children with disabilities and their families, thrive in a leadership role, and want to be part of a supportive and dedicated team making a meaningful difference, this could be the opportunity for you.
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.
Family Help Team Manager – Children’s Services
Location: Hybrid (Council offices, community settings and home working)
Working Pattern: Full time | Some evenings/weekends | Emergency rota participation
Travel: Borough-wide and occasional national travel required
Grade - £, -£,
We are seeking an experienced Team Manager to provide strong, values‑led leadership within Children’s Services. 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
1. Lead and embed child‑centred, strengths‑based and trauma‑informed practice
2. Provide operational and safeguarding leadership, including risk management and escalation
3. Line manage and develop staff through safe recruitment, supervision, coaching and performance management
4. Promote a culture of reflective practice, learning and continuous improvement
5. Monitor performance, quality and outcomes, ensuring inspection readiness at all times
6. Build strong multi‑agency partnerships across education, health, police, housing and the voluntary sector
7. Contribute to service development, strategy, policy and performance reporting
8. Manage budgets and resources effectively in line with council guidelines
You will have:
9. A recognised Social Work qualification (DipSW or Degree) and Social Work England registration
10. Proven experience managing Children’s Services teams within statutory frameworks
11. Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience managing complex risk
12. A track record of leading child‑centred practice and high‑performing teams
13. Knowledge of trauma‑informed, systemic and whole‑family approaches
14. Experience of performance management, quality assurance and inspection readiness
15. The ability to motivate, inspire and build confidence in others
16. A commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
17. The resilience to work in a high‑pressure environment and manage competing priorities
18. This is a hybrid role, with most time spent on site or in Council buildings
19. Some out‑of‑hours working is required
20. Participation in emergency/on‑call rotas is essential
21. 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.