Overview

Team Manager - Children in Care Team at London Borough of Merton. Lead a dedicated team of social workers who support children who are looked after by the local authority, delivering high-quality care planning, permanency work, and court progression with urgency and purpose.Responsibilities

Provide visible, values-led leadership that upholds and champions Merton’s Values and Corporate Parenting Principles, ensuring every child in care is treated as if they were our own.Oversee and drive court progression work, ensuring care proceedings and permanency plans are progressed in a timely and child-centred manner.Offer strong management oversight and reflective supervision to your team, helping to develop confident, creative, and accountable practitioners.Ensure all children in care have robust and regularly updated care plans reflecting their needs, aspirations, and identity.Promote placement stability, emotional wellbeing, and long-term planning (permanence), working with carers, IROs, and partner agencies to secure the best possible outcomes and life stories for children.Use data and performance information to monitor progress, identify areas for improvement, and support continuous service development.Represent the service in permanency tracking meetings, court planning forums, and multi-agency reviews.Qualifications and Experience

Qualified social worker (registered with Social Work England) with strong experience working with children in care and a clear understanding of permanency planning, court processes, and statutory responsibilities.Track record of supervising and supporting staff, managing performance, and promoting a culture of learning.Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.Passion for improving outcomes for children and young people and for leading with integrity, curiosity, and compassion.Why Join Merton?

We put children first— their voices shape our decisions.We build strong relationships—with families, carers, and each other.We invest in our staff—with excellent learning and development opportunities, manageable caseloads, and visible, supportive leadership.We embrace diversity—and thrive on inclusion and mutual respect.Additional Information

Seniority level: Mid-Senior levelEmployment type: Full-timeJob function: OtherIndustries: Government Administration

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