Practice Manager

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board. Job Description Suffolk County Council Address: Riverside, Lowestoft, NR33 0EQ Salary: £53,799 per annum (pro rata for part time) Hours: 37 hours per week Contract: Permanent This post is open to current Suffolk County Council staff only. An exciting opportunity has arisen in the role of Social Care Practice Manager in the Lowestoft & Waveney Social Care Teams, based at Riverside, Lowestoft. Your role and responsibilities Manage a team of Social Workers, developing high quality practice and performance Ensure children and families are fully involved in planning using Suffolk Signs of Safety and Wellbeing principles Take the lead for audit of casework, ensuring case recording is of high quality and in timescale Deal with complaints, seeking early resolution where possible Effectively manage budgets and team resources Involvement in the recruitment and selection of staff Strategic planning and project management This role also comes at a time of change within the organisation, so the successful candidate will be keen to embrace change and can support the leadership with transforming services in the coming months, as well as someone who is able to work effectively with colleagues across services, including Safeguarding and Family Support. You will need Experience of supervising or mentoring staff effectively, ensuring good practice and successful outcomes Ability to manage resources effectively, ensuring quality of delivery and within the allocated budget Experience of quality assurance processes, with the ability to interpret data and act on findings To be able to lead on practice, and support professional development of the team Extensive experience of child protection work, care proceedings and supporting children in need. To be a registered social worker with Social Work England. You can view a full list of requirements in the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx). If you believe you can succeed in this role, apply. Even if you don't meet all requirements, still apply. We would appreciate the opportunity to consider your application. Empowering Everyone We're big believers in potential, possibility and the power of different ideas. We're always searching for ways to encourage, respect and enable everyone to be the best they can be. We want to represent the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all individuals, especially those from groups that are currently underrepresented in the organisation, as shown in our Workforce Equality Report For more information Please contact Steve Blaney for a casual conversation. You can reach them by calling 01502 674649 or emailing Steve.Blaney@suffolk.gov.uk. How to apply Step 1 Read the Job and Person Profile (JPP) (docx). Step 2 Click 'Apply Now' to start your online application. Step 3 Upload a supporting statement answering the following questions below (no more than 400 words per question). You should use the Supporting Statement template. 1. Can you share an example of when you have led or contributed to a significant transformation or change initiative within a social care setting? How did you approach the challenges, engage your team, and ensure the changes were successfully embedded? 2. Give an example of how you have ensured that children and families were actively involved in planning and decision-making. What approaches did you use, and what was the outcome? 3. Describe a situation where you dealt with a complaint or conflict within your team. What steps did you take to seek early resolution? 4. Can you provide an example of how you have managed budgets and team resources effectively to deliver quality outcomes? 5. How do you demonstrate a commitment to fairness, equality, diversity, and inclusion in your work? Step 4 Upload a CV (without name and personal details). We value authentic applications that showcase your genuine skills and experiences. Applications suspected of being generated by AI may be rejected. We ask you to present your own work and ideas throughout the application process. Please note: Without a supporting statement and CV, your interest will not be progressed. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the application process before the next selection stage, please contact our Recruitment Team by emailing recruitment@suffolk.gov.uk or calling 03456 014412. If you are invited to the next stage of selection, you will have another opportunity to request adjustments for the next stages of the process. Closing date 11.30pm, 02 December 2025 Interview date 08 December 2025 This authority is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. About Us As a modern and effective council, we offer a wide variety of careers to suit people with a range of skills, abilities and ambitions. We offer working options that flex to reflect the way people work today and take the time to understand and support your individual needs. We're driven to make a positive difference to the world around us and encourage everyone with drive and focus to join us and build an influential and impactful career. Reimagine the possibilities. In return, you'll enjoy: up to 29 days annual leave entitlement (pro rata), plus UK bank holidays and two paid volunteering days membership of a competitive Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) travel, lifestyle, health and wellbeing benefits performance-related annual pay progression, in addition to an annual cost-of-living pay increase training and encouragement to expand your knowledge a variety of career development opportunities across our organisation diverse and active staff networks flexible working options, with the right to request flexible working from your first day Plus lots more If you want to know more about our benefits, values and equality commitments please visit our Suffolk County Council careers website (careers.Suffolk.gov.uk). #J-18808-Ljbffr