Team Manager Safeguarding
Havering welcomes applicants who would like to work part time (0.5 FTE) to apply for this role, discover more about working flexibly in Havering
This is a leadership opportunity that puts purpose at the centre of practice. Based in Romford Town Hall, this Team Manager role offers the chance to lead from the front as Children’s Social Care in Havering undergoes a period of transformation. The borough is committed to improvement and is investing in its leadership teams to support staff, build stability, and deliver better outcomes for children and families.
Team Managers in Havering are responsible for the daily operational delivery of multidisciplinary teams, covering areas such as safeguarding, children in care, fostering, assessment and more. These teams form part of the council’s Starting Well service, a key driver of Havering’s ambition to embed excellent social work practice. This role carries significant influence over shaping service delivery, modelling good practice, and ensuring staff are equipped to make a difference.
- Manage a team of social workers, advanced practitioners, and support staff across key service areas
- Provide regular supervision, quality assurance, and performance management in line with practice standards
- Lead team meetings, panels, and multi-agency discussions to improve outcomes
- Support the delivery of face-to-face, systemic practice across the service
- Contribute to strategic development and service planning alongside senior leaders
- Represent Havering in partnership forums and ensure integrated approaches to complex work
This role requires a confident, knowledgeable, and driven social work leader. Applicants must be committed to improving services, passionate about direct practice, and ready to mentor and develop a high-performing team. Experience of leading children’s social care teams is essential, alongside a strong working knowledge of legislation, performance frameworks, and multi-agency working.
The right candidate will be motivated by the chance to help drive sustainable change in an improving authority. This is a key leadership role in a council that offers excellent benefits, clear career development pathways, and access to Havering’s dedicated Social Care Academy. Leaders at this level will play a central role in shaping the future of the service.
- Qualified social worker with Social Work England registration and extensive post-qualifying experience
- Proven track record of leading operational teams in statutory children’s social care
- Skilled in supervision, performance management, and developing staff
- Confident communicator with the ability to lead complex multi-agency work
- Strong understanding of child protection, children in care, and systemic practice
- Committed to equality, inclusion, and making a positive impact through leadership
A message from our director:
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of children, young people, and families? Do you have a strong desire to be part of a transformative journey that will shape the future of Havering’s community? If so, we invite you to join us in our mission to elevate our local authority's Children's Social Care Services, situated within our Starting Well Department.
Following our recent inadequate Ofsted inspection, we are embarking on an improvement journey where we aim to re-establish and reinvigorate great practice across all our services delivered in Havering. As part of this journey, we are seeking dedicated and enthusiastic social care practitioners ready to make a meaningful difference, driven by a genuine desire to advocate for children, promote their well-being, and who are not afraid to take on the challenge of working for a local authority who have been inspected by Ofsted as inadequate.
In return, we want to offer you the opportunity to develop your skills through our dedicated 10 days of learning a year offer and access to our very own Social Care Academy and Systemic offer. We are committed to creating an environment where every child receives the best possible support and care, and all staff are supported to thrive and excel in safe, supported, and nurturing environments.
Our Senior leaders have worked on an improvement plan, and if you are ready to embrace this challenge and play a pivotal role in shaping our journey, we encourage you to apply.
We look forward to welcoming individuals who share our vision and drive.
Havering is an outer London borough like no other. Sitting in Northeast London (Zone 6), we have three Crossrail stations in borough which means we are only 30 minutes from Oxford Street. We are well connected to the hustle and bustle of the city, whilst just a short drive or bus ride from the surrounding Essex countryside and coast, giving our residents the best of both city and rural living.
It’s no wonder that we have one of the fastest growing and increasingly diverse child populations in the country, who benefit from living in one of the greenest areas in London. We have some amazing parks, 16 of which have green flag award status, and we are served by a rich mix of foundation, community, voluntary aided and academy schools with great Ofsted ratings.
Havering Town Hall, which hosts our main offices, is in the centre of Romford - our largest town and home to a vibrant street market dating back to 1247. Our offices are a 5 minute walk from the main shopping centres which host a range of popular shops, restaurants and gyms.
We are also unique in our political makeup, with Havering Residents’ Association working to make a Havering you want to be part of.
We are dedicated to creating the right conditions to support our social care practitioners to thrive by fostering an environment where you can develop your skills and knowledge alongside like-minded individuals. We value our employees and offer a range of benefits:
- We are a family-friendly employer and welcome applications for part time roles at 0.5 full time equivalent
- £4,000 annual market supplement payment for Social Workers, Advanced Practitioners, Team Managers and Service Managers
- A tailored training programme along with development opportunities through our very own dedicated Social Care Academy and corporate offer of 10 days of learning per year
- Access to accredited systemic training and in-house practice application workshops
- A commitment to achieving and maintaining manageable caseloads
- Generous local government pension scheme and leave entitlement
- Subsidised parking at various council-owned car parks across the borough
- Modern workplace equipped with the latest technology
- A strong corporate health and wellbeing offer, discounted gym membership, employee assistance programme and much more
- Annual staff recognition schemes (STAR awards and Social Care awards) celebrating and recognising staff commitment and achievement 
- Access to a range of staff forums including LGBTQI+, B.A.M.E., Faith, Ability, Women’s, and Men’s forums.
If you have any questions about applying, please contact Talent Team: Talent@havering.gov.uk