Team Manager - MASH

Are you passionate about making a difference to our citizens and the district that they reside in? Then, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team.

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join our exceptional Management Team within Wakefield's Integrated Front Door (MASH).

We are a strong, dynamic, and welcoming team committed to ensuring children and families receive the right support at the right time. If you are looking for a Team Manager opportunity within a positive and supportive working environment where everyone is driven by a shared commitment to delivering outstanding services for children and families, then this role could be perfect for you.

Whilst recent years have presented significant challenges, social work in Wakefield continues to thrive. Supported by a stable senior management team and an increasing permanent workforce, we remain committed to delivering excellent outcomes for children and families.

We know social workers are exceptional professionals who work in challenging circumstances to help children and families thrive. This requires patience, empathy, advocacy, communication skills, resilience, and passion. That's why we need committed and energetic Team Managers who can lead, support, and develop a strong and confident workforce empowered to make a difference.

At Wakefield, we take an integrated and partnership-focused approach. Working collaboratively with partners, we create real change and positive outcomes for children, young people, families, and communities across the district.

At the heart of achieving this are our staff. That's why we invest in our workforce, providing the support, development opportunities, and leadership needed to help you flourish and enable families to realise their potential.

Our recent GOOD Ofsted judgement reflects our child-centred practice, positive culture, and commitment to delivering high-quality services, whilst recognising the strength of our leadership and management.

About the Role:

As Team Manager within the Integrated Front Door (MASH), you will provide leadership and oversight to a team responsible for screening, assessing, and responding to contacts relating to children and families.

You will play a key role in ensuring timely and effective decision-making, risk assessment, information sharing, and multi-agency collaboration to ensure children receive the right support at the earliest opportunity.

Working alongside a range of partners, you will contribute to safeguarding children, identifying need, and ensuring high-quality practice across the service.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, supervise, and support practitioners within the Integrated Front Door.
• Provide management oversight of contacts, referrals, and safeguarding decision-making.
• Ensure timely and effective responses to children and families requiring support and protection.
• Drive high-quality practice and promote effective risk assessment and analysis.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to support robust information sharing and multi-agency decision-making.
• Promote a child-centred approach in all areas of practice.
• Monitor performance, quality, and service delivery standards.
• Chair meetings and contribute to complex safeguarding discussions and decision-making forums.
• Support workforce development through reflective supervision, coaching, and learning opportunities.
• Contribute to service improvement and the ongoing development of the Integrated Front Door.

What will be expected from me?

Managing a team within the Integrated Front Door, you will help us deliver our ambition of achieving the best possible outcomes for children, young people, and families across Wakefield.

You will be an experienced leader with the ability to motivate, inspire, and develop practitioners whilst maintaining high standards of practice and performance.

You will also:

• Be a qualified and experienced Social Worker with a strong track record in safeguarding practice.
• Demonstrate effective leadership and management skills.
• Have experience of working within front door, assessment, safeguarding, or multi-agency environments.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Be confident in managing risk and making complex decisions.
• Provide support, guidance, and constructive challenge to practitioners.
• Promote a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Be passionate about delivering excellent services for children and families.
• Support the Service Manager and contribute to continuous service improvement.
• Champion positive practice and drive excellent outcomes for children and families.

Essential requirements:

• DipSW, CQSW, BA (Hons) Social Work, or equivalent social work qualification.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Significant post-qualifying experience within Children's Social Care.
• Experience of managing staff and overseeing complex safeguarding decisions.
• Strong knowledge of safeguarding legislation, thresholds, and multi-agency working.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
• The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and provide criminal conviction information.
• As this role works closely with safeguarding partners and involves access to sensitive information, the successful applicant will also be required to successfully complete Police Vetting prior to appointment.

What can I expect?

• A competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
• Hybrid working (subject to role suitability)
• Access to high-quality training programs to advance your career to the next level.
• We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work life balance as well as supportive leadership.
• Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
• Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more.

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.

Name: Caroline Pickard

Tel: 01924 303456

E-mail: carolinepickard@wakefield.gov.uk

Join us and make a real impact in the community. Apply today to become a valued member of our team!

Safeguarding

Wakefield Council is wholly committed to ensuring children and vulnerable adults are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults whilst promoting their welfare. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility.

DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service)

The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and to provide criminal conviction information.

Probation

In accordance with the Council Probation Procedure, this post is subject to a 6-month Probationary Period.

Fluency Duty

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), public facing roles will be subject to the Fluency Duty.

Diversity

Having a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve helps us to achieve the best outcomes for all. We encourage applications from everyone and actively seek to ensure that everyone feels included in the workplace so that we can make the most of our differences.

Why Wakefield

To find out more about the benefits of working at Wakefield Council, click here.