Team Manager - Youth Justice

Social Work Team Manager – Youth Justice Team

Location: London Borough of Merton
Pay/Salary: Up to £45.20 per hour (Umbrella)
Office Working: Hybrid
Contract: Locum

We are currently working with the London Borough of Merton to find an experienced Social Work Team Manager for their Youth Justice Team. This is an excellent opportunity to lead a dedicated multidisciplinary service focused on reducing youth offending, safeguarding vulnerable young people, and delivering positive outcomes through restorative justice and strong partnership working.

You'll be responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the Youth Justice Team, providing leadership, reflective supervision, and quality assurance to practitioners while working closely with partner agencies including Police, Education, Health, Victim Services, and Early Help. The role also includes leading on restorative justice practice and ensuring services meet Youth Justice Board National Standards and HMIP requirements.

Duties

• Driving excellent social work practice and making a positive difference to children, young people, victims, and their families.
• Responsible for the operational management, supervision, and support of Youth Justice practitioners and specialist partner staff.
• Providing management oversight on complex safeguarding, offending, and risk management cases.
• Leading on restorative justice practice, victim services, and partnership working across the borough.
• Ensuring high-quality assessments, interventions, and quality assurance processes are embedded throughout the service.
• Working collaboratively with Police, Education, Health, Early Help, and community partners to reduce offending and improve outcomes.
• Delivering reflective supervision while supporting staff performance, wellbeing, and professional development.
• Monitoring service performance, inspections, audits, and ensuring compliance with Youth Justice Board National Standards.
• Supporting the Service Manager with service development, commissioning, and continuous improvement initiatives.

What you need

• Social Work Qualification.
• Social Work England registration.
• Enhanced DBS (provided by us).
• Previous Team Manager or senior leadership experience within a Youth Justice Service or similar statutory children's service.
• Strong knowledge of Youth Justice legislation, safeguarding, restorative justice, and risk management.
• Experience supervising practitioners, managing performance, and leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and partnership working skills.

Why use us?

At Sheldon Phillips, you are not just a number on a board, you are someone we get to know, creating a personal job search that is as individual as you are. Our expert team are trained to ensure that your needs are met, our compliance procedures are quick and efficient, while making sure you find the job you really want.

If you are interested in this Social Work Team Manager – Youth Justice Team role in Merton, give Rhys Rafferty a call on 07595 063297 or email rrafferty@sheldon-phillips.com.

Referral Bonus: Do you know someone who would be ideal for this role? Refer them to Sheldon Phillips and if we successfully place them into a locum role, you'll receive a £300 referral bonus as a thank you. If you know an experienced social worker looking for their next opportunity, we'd love to hear from them. Terms and Conditions Apply.