Quality Assurance & Safeguarding Team Manager, Children's Services

• QAST_Team_Manager_JD_2025

Please apply online via the link provided.

Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Team Manager

Salary: £59,009 - £64,673 + £3k Market Supplement
Contract: Permanent

Join a passionate safeguarding team and help make a real difference for children and families in Wokingham.

We’re looking for an experienced Manager to provide expert leadership for two key statutory processes: Child Protection Conferences and Independent Reviewing of Plans for Looked After Children. This is a pivotal role in ensuring high-quality practice, compliance with legislation, and improved outcomes for children and families.

About the role:

• Lead and manage the Child Protection Chairs and Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs), providing supervision, mentoring, and professional development.
• Oversee allocation of cases, workload management, and ensure efficient administrative systems.
• Drive performance against KPIs and lead service improvements.
• Work collaboratively with partner agencies to strengthen safeguarding practice and outcomes.
• Provide expert advice on legislation, guidance, and best practice, and lead implementation of changes and training.
• Represent the service at complex multi-agency meetings and contribute to strategic developments.
• Manage complaints, data breaches, and issues of practice promptly and effectively.

Who we’re looking for:

We’re seeking a qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England, with substantial post-qualifying experience in child protection and looked-after children services. You’ll have proven ability to manage complex cases, chair challenging meetings, and lead multi-agency work, alongside strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills. Expert knowledge of safeguarding legislation, policy, and best practice is essential, as well as the ability to set standards, monitor performance, and deliver high-quality services. Ideally, you’ll also bring experience in change management, delivering training, and developing policies and procedures.

Why Wokingham:

Wokingham Children’s services are currently transitioning through a planned phase of transformation. Our refreshed structure presents excellent new opportunities for innovative & dynamic professionals. If you have a passion to make a real difference in shaping positive outcomes for children, young people and families in Wokingham, we want to hear from you.

Closing date: Sunday 21st January 2026, 11pm

Interviews: 30th January 2026, time tbc

For more information with regards to this role, please contact:

Sara.james@wokingham.gov.uk (Head of Quality Assurance & Safeguarding) or

Alix.williams@wokingham.gov.uk (Recruitment & Retention)

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks.

Please be aware that we will be reviewing the applications we receive on a daily basis, and we reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the application closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.