Team Manager

Bedford Borough Council is seeking an experienced and motivated Locum Team Manager to lead their busy Referral and Assessment team. This role is pivotal in ensuring the effective delivery of frontline services, overseeing the initial response to referrals and safeguarding concerns. A car driver is essential due to the need for flexibility in attending visits and multi-agency meetings across the borough.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strong leadership and supervision to a team of social workers managing referrals and assessments

• Ensure timely and effective decision-making in response to safeguarding concerns

• Monitor performance and quality assurance to ensure compliance with statutory duties and local procedures

• Support staff development through reflective supervision, mentoring, and performance management

• Work closely with multi-agency partners to coordinate assessments and interventions

• Manage resources effectively to maintain high standards of service delivery within agreed timescales

Requirements:

• SWE registration

• Proven experience as a Team Manager or Senior Practitioner in a frontline children’s team

• In-depth knowledge of safeguarding legislation, thresholds, and assessment frameworks

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle