Team Manager - Assessment & Safeguarding

Team Manager - Assessment & Safeguarding (Families First Reforms) Authority: Darlington Borough Council (Children's Services)

Pay Rate: £36.61 per hour (Umbrella) | 37 Hours Per Week + TOIL

Contract: Full-Time Locum Assignment

Working Pattern: Blended / Hybrid Working (All remote IT equipment provided)

Darlington Borough Council is recruiting an additional Agency Team Manager to join their Assessment & Safeguarding (A&S) Service . Created specifically to address increased demand and support the rollout of national Families First Reforms , this role works alongside five established Team Managers to deliver robust risk management, reflective supervision, and innovative practice leadership. About the Role & Service Area: You will play a pivotal role in maintaining strong management oversight across statutory assessments and child protection plans, while actively mentoring Social Workers, ASYEs, and NQSWs. This position offers a unique balance of operational leadership, quality assurance, and strategic involvement in pilot programmes and Family Help service models. Key Responsibilities: Management Oversight & Quality Assurance: Provide robust case oversight, risk management, and quality assurance to ensure timely, high-quality assessments and child-centred plans.

Workforce Development & Supervision: Deliver consistent reflective supervision, coaching, joint visits, and group learning ("rethink" sessions) to support Social Workers, ASYEs, and NQSWs.

Multi-Agency Leadership: Chair key multi-agency meetings, including strategy discussions and planning forums, while maintaining strong partner relationships.

Service Transformation & Reform: Support the embedding of Families First reforms, Family Help models, and demand-management initiatives alongside senior leaders.

Operational Leadership: Provide cover during service pressures, monitor performance and workload management, and ensure the voice of the child drives decision-making.

What We Are Looking For: Qualifications & SWE: Recognised Social Work qualification and active registration with Social Work England (SWE) .

Management Experience: Proven track record as a Team Manager or Advanced Practitioner within statutory Children's Assessment & Safeguarding services.

Practice Leadership: Strong capability in reflective supervision, mentoring NQSWs/ASYEs, and conducting practice audits.

Reform & Change Mindset: Ability to drive performance, support service improvement, and embed new multi-agency service models.

Why Apply? Competitive Package: £36.61 per hour for a 37-hour week, with TOIL available for additional hours worked.

Modern Working Setup: Blended working model with all remote IT equipment fully provided.

Collaborative Leadership: Work within an expanded, highly supportive leadership structure alongside 5 established Team Managers.

Apply Today Randstad Care acts as an employment business when supplying temporary staff and as an employment agency when introducing candidates for permanent employment with a client. Randstad Care is an equal opportunities employer and decisions are made on merits alone. Did you know that Randstad Care have been awarded a place on the National Clinical Staffing Framework for the NHS? This means we will be able to bring you more opportunities within nursing & midwifery and clinical staffing.