Team Manager

Are you ready to lead a team committed to enhancing the lives of adoptive children and their families? Join us as a Team Manager, where your expertise will be valued, and your dedication celebrated. At Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool (ALB) you will have the opportunity to significantly impact the future of adoption, and drive innovation within the field.

We're thrilled to announce a rare opening for the position of Team Manager within the Recruitment & Assessment Team within Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool (ALB) which is a Regional Adoption Agency, hosted by Lancashire County Council (LCC). ALB delivers the Family Finding, Recruitment & Assessment and Adoption Support on behalf of the two authorities. The role of the Team Manager within the Recruitment & Assessment Team is diverse and varied and includes the supervision of Social Workers, ensuring regulatory requirements are not just met, but exceeded. As the Team Manager, you will lead a team of Social Workers, providing supervision, guidance, and support. You'll work in collaboration with two fellow managers to foster a nurturing and innovative environment for the team.

As the Team Manager for the Recruitment and Assessment, you will oversee a group of Social Workers dedicated to the recruitment, training, assessment, and support to prospective adoptive parents. You would be responsible for overseeing the completion of detailed prospective adopter reports which are represented to the adoption approval panel. Furthermore, the team supports adopters throughout the journey of family finding, matching, and the transition period until the finalisation of the adoption. The R&A team plays a crucial role in marketing initiatives, as well as in providing preparatory and ongoing training post-approval. Our service prides itself on an experienced staff team, with an increased focus on learning & development and staff wellbeing.

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Overseeing the recruitment and comms strategy to attract a diverse range of prospective adopters for our children.


• Manage the recruitment, training and assessment process of potential adoptive parents, ensuring all statutory requirements are not just met but exceeded.


• Provide leadership and direction to the team, fostering a supportive and motivational atmosphere.


• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with our two Local Authorities, our neighbouring RAA's and other key stakeholders.


• Ensure that all practices are inclusive and meet the needs of children from a variety of backgrounds.


• Monitor and evaluate team performance against agency targets and quality standards.


• Contribute to the development of agency policies / procedures and our service plan.


• Manage budgets and resources effectively.


• Engage in partnership with Adoption Central England across various initiatives within the framework of the Adoption England strategy, focusing on the modernisation of adoption practices to propel forward-thinking service improvements.


Working for a Local Authority provides unique advantages and opportunities, and this role is no different. You can expect:

Stability and Support: You will be joining a stable management team within ALB and will be supported by an experienced Operations Manager and Regional Adoption Agency Leader. Within ALB, you will be one of six Team Managers-three in Recruitment & Assessment, two specialising in Adoption Support, and one overseeing Family Finding. Your role will involve close collaboration with each of these managers to ensure a cohesive approach to providing exceptional adoption services.

You will receive regular 1:1 supervision and will have access to the wider Council's full health and wellbeing package. As a Local Authority employee, you will also be supported by the wider Children's Services and have access to regular networking events with managers from other Services and Directorates and the opportunity to share learning and good practice between social work teams and Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool.

Career Progression: We have developed a clearly defined pathway for career progression and advancement, with opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, pursue further education and training, and move into more senior leadership roles. We offer over 50 internal free training courses, as well as the opportunity to gain formal qualifications up to Degree level, regular management development days, conferences, and external training events. Your learning needs and ambition for professional growth will be fully supported and promoted.

Professional Networking: As a Team Manager within Adoption, Lancashire & Blackpool you will foster strong positive working relationships with our two authorities through a collective purpose and shared responsibility for our children. You will cultivate strong relationships with Team Managers from nearby Regional Adoption Agencies (RAAs), creating a valuable peer support network to enhance collaboration and shared learning. You will engage in partnership with Adoption Central England across various initiatives within the framework of the Adoption England strategy, focusing on the modernisation of adoption practices to propel forward-thinking service improvements.

Job Security and Benefits: Working under the umbrella of a Local Authority, you can rely on our commitment to long-term service through many benefits such as incremental increases of annual leave, and flexible working arrangements. You will have access to external partner promotions, such as Blue Light Card and Viv-Up and a car leasing scheme through Tusker.


• A genuine commitment to our ethos, culture, and values, and a passion for making a positive difference in the lives of children and families.


• Strong management, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others.


• Willingness to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of your work, and to foster an environment that celebrates the unique strengths and perspectives of every individual.


• Flexibility, adaptability, and resilience in the face of challenges


• Excellent organisational skills with the capacity to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines.


• Significant experience in Social Work, including experience of adoption.


In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website., You must be registered (SWE) to be appointed as a Social Worker or have applied to register with the Social Care Council.