The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.
Childres and Young People with Disabilities team is a non-case holding team however, the service is multi-agency and linked with other partner agencies that attend the office. We offer and promote hybrid working patterns but have an essential requirement that the Team Manager will be present in the office a minimum three days a week.
We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.
About the role
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and passionate Team Manager to lead within our Children and Young People with Disabilities Service, supporting some of our most vulnerable children and their families.
This role sits at the heart of delivering high-quality, specialist social work practice for children with complex needs. You will lead and inspire a dedicated team, ensuring that children, young people, and their families receive the right support at the right time, promoting stability, resilience, and positive outcomes.
As Team Manager, you will bring strong expertise in this specialist area of social work, including experience of court proceedings, statutory responsibilities, short breaks provision, and a thorough understanding of SEND frameworks. Your knowledge of current and emerging reforms in social care and SEND will be key in driving forward best practice and shaping service delivery.
Our approach is rooted in strong values. We are committed to being child-focused, trauma-informed, and relational in our practice. You will champion a culture that is compassionate, inclusive, and ambitious for children with disabilities ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met with dignity and respect.
This is a role for an active and visible leader; someone who leads by example, motivates their team, and creates an environment of high support and high challenge. Through reflective supervision, you will nurture professional curiosity, accountability, and continuous learning, enabling your team to deliver excellent practice even in complex and sensitive situations.
You will work collaboratively with partners across health, education, and the voluntary sector to ensure a coordinated, multi-agency approach. Your leadership will be instrumental in strengthening pathways, improving outcomes, and driving innovation within the service.
Above all, we are looking for a values-driven leader someone who is compassionate, kind, and determined to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people with disabilities. If you are motivated by making an impact and leading a team that changes lives every day, we would love to hear from you.
About you
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Have a thorough understanding of current legislation and the West Berkshire Safeguarding Children Procedure and Practice Guidance
- Understanding of social care reforms, including SEND.
- Strong Knowledge of Children with Disabilities.
- Supporting Creative and Dynamic solutions to how we can support families with Early Help Services.
- Strong in decision-making and providing quality and effective training, oversight and supervision to social workers.
- Can work in a multi-disciplinary environment and steer a service that will have competing demands and expectations from other agencies.
- Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations to recognise and build on families’ strengths to create change.
- Skilled in supporting social workers and managers in analysing information and understanding families’ experiences and contexts to ensure they receive the right services within the right framework.
- Experience of Managing Social Workers, Assistant Team Managers, Early Help Practitioners and Business Support Staff.
- Passionate and energised to take on the requirements and vision of the improvement plan.
- Able to cultivate and nurture positive working relationships, and to respectfully challenge. Confident to steer others to ensure the best outcome for the child is always a priority.
- Embracing change with the ability to inspire and take a team through a period of transformation.
You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.
Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading
Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively
Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential
Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity
Our offer
We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.
A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:
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Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
- A wide range of flexible working opportunities
- Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
- Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
- On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
- Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
- Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax
To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact James Joyce Service Manager, Email:
[email protected]
Closing Date: Sunday 19th July 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Process: To be confirmed
