Ready to Lead Change and Empower Lives? We’re looking for a passionate and inspiring Practice Manager (Social Worker) to join the Changing Futures Sussex Programme at East Sussex County Council. This is a part-time (18 .5 hours/week), 12-month fixed-term opportunity, ideal for someone who wants to shape innovative practice while maintaining a work-life balance.
This role offers the chance to be part of something truly meaningful: transforming how services work for people with multiple and complex needs. You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team including unique peer navigators who have a lived in experience, that is creative, resilient, and committed to supporting some of the most marginalised individuals in our communities.

This isn’t your typical social work management job. Changing Futures Sussex is one of only 15 trailblazing national programmes, backed by government national lottery funding, designed to change how services are delivered to people experiencing:

• Homelessness
• Substance misuse
• Mental ill-health

• Domestic abuseContact with the criminal justice system

The role will include the below day to day duties:

• Lead and inspire a dedicated multi-agency team
• Champion trauma-informed and relational practice
• Shape and deliver high-quality support for people with multiple compound needs (MCN)
• Collaborate across health, housing, justice, mental health and social care sectors

• Drive service improvement, innovation, and performance across East SussexManage resources, support development, and embed reflective supervision

• You’ll be based in St Mary’s House, Eastbourne, with flexible hybrid working options that include time at home and in the community.

We’re seeking a confident leader with a strong professional background in social work and mental health. You’ll bring:

• A Social Work England registration and a professional qualification (e.g. CQSW, DipSW, BA/MA Social Work)
• Experience of leading people and managing performance
• A strong understanding of trauma-informed approaches and safeguarding
• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills across agencies
• An interest in innovation, co-production, and systems change

Experience managing a multidisciplinary team is desirable, but if you’ve worked closely with other agencies to improve outcomes, we want to hear from you.
To apply for this role please follow the ‘Apply Now’ and upload your CV with a covering letter explaining why you are applying for the post. When completing your application be sure to address how you meet all the essential criteria listed in the job description and give examples of any relevant work/life experience, education, or personal interests.
Please download a Job Description and Person Specification for further details.
Interviews will take place weeks commencing 18 August 2025 an 25 August 2025 via Microsoft Teams unless you request an in-person interview. If you are unavailable to attend the allocated interview date/time, let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date/time for you.
You’ll help create a system where difficult to reach people no longer fall through systematic gaps. Where trauma-informed, person-centred care isn’t the exception, it’s the norm.
Most importantly, you’ll join a team that supports each other, one that truly believes in doing things differently for the people who need it most.

There are many rewards working for East Sussex County Council, some of these include:

• Generous pension scheme
• Hybrid working
• Access to training
• Lease car scheme (subject to qualifying criteria)
• Access to our extensive well-being and wellness training.
• Annual registration fee with Social Work England will be reimbursed.

For more information about our diverse range on benefit please click on the link provided benefits page .
Most importantly, you’ll join a team that supports each other, one that truly believes in doing things differently for the people who need it most.

Need to know more? We’d love to have a conversation with you:

• James Morton – East Sussex Project Delivery Officer: James.Morton@eastsussex.gov.uk
• Lyndsey Lloyd-Strutt – Deputy Programme Manager: lyndsey.lloyd-strutt@westsussex.gov.uk
• Sophia-Maria Andreas – ESCC ASC Operations Manager: Sophia-Maria.Andreas@eastsussex.gov.uk

Make a Lasting Difference – Join a Groundbreaking Social Care Team in East Sussex!
“Leading this very determined, supportive, and dynamic multi-disciplinary team has provided unique learning opportunities. The team has a strong ethos of trauma-informed care and relationship-based practice. They find creative ways to support individuals to make meaningful and positive changes to their lives. I have found working with this team inspiring and rewarding.”
— Hannah Lexton, Current Practice Manager (on Maternity Leave)
For a great work/life balance, choose East Sussex!

• Lead and inspire a dedicated multi-agency team
• Champion trauma-informed and relational practice
• Shape and deliver high-quality support for people with multiple compound needs (MCN)
• Collaborate across health, housing, justice, mental health and social care sectors
• Drive service improvement, innovation, and performance across East SussexManage resources, support development, and embed reflective supervisio