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An experienced and committed Assistant Team Manager is required to support a Children and Families service in Bedfordshire. This is an opportunity for a qualified social work professional to help deliver safe, effective and child-centred services to children, young people and their families.

You will support the Team Manager with the day-to-day leadership of a social work team, helping to ensure that assessments, plans and interventions are completed to a high standard and within relevant timescales. You will provide guidance on complex cases, promote effective decision-making and contribute to a consistent approach to safeguarding, risk management and permanence planning.

The role will involve supervising and supporting social workers, reviewing casework, quality assuring records and encouraging reflective practice. You will help colleagues to identify children’s needs, strengths and risks, ensuring that their voices remain central to assessment and planning. You may also assist with strategy discussions, child protection processes, looked-after children reviews, care planning and court-related work.

Working collaboratively with families, schools, health professionals, legal services and other partner agencies, you will promote positive outcomes and effective multi-agency practice. You will contribute to service development, performance monitoring and the implementation of policies, procedures and quality standards. The ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining a clear focus on safeguarding is essential.

Applicants must hold a recognised social work qualification and current Social Work England registration, with substantial post-qualifying experience in children’s social care. Experience of supervising or mentoring social workers, managing complex safeguarding cases and applying relevant legislation and statutory guidance is highly desirable. You should have excellent communication, analytical and report-writing skills, sound professional judgement and a commitment to anti-discriminatory practice.

This role offers the chance to make a meaningful difference while supporting a skilled and developing team. A valid driving licence and access to suitable transport may be required, subject to reasonable adjustments.