Assessment Manager

National Fostering Group; Wales; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fostering organization in the UK is seeking an experienced Assessment Manager to oversee and coordinate the assessment of Foster Carers. You will manage the assessment process from initial visits to panel presentation, ensuring compliance with fostering regulations. The ideal candidate should have experience as a Social Worker, strong knowledge of fostering policies, and excellent communication skills. This role offers a flexible working schedule, a competitive benefits package, and opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Up to 39 days annual leave

Life Assurance

£3,000 car allowance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Flexible Benefits Platform

Qualifications

• Experience managing or supervising teams is desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of fostering policies and legislation required.
• Current driving license needed for travel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the complete assessment process for Foster Carers.
• Support and supervise internal and freelance assessors.
• Ensure quality assurance of documents and reports.
• Maintain relationships with stakeholders and partner agencies.
• Contribute to process improvement and team performance.

Skills

Experience as a Social Worker

Fostering assessments knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Computer literate

Driving licence

Job description

We are looking for a highly skilled practitioner to manage and co‑ordinate a team of assessors, to ensure the approval of high quality Foster Carers, whilst ensuring Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards and Regulatory Requirements are met. The Assessment Manager will manage the assessment element of an applicant’s ‘carer journey’. As part of the National Assessment Service, you will oversee applications to foster from receipt of positive initial visits through to presentation to a fostering panel if the assessment is successful. In addition, the post holder will work with the Head of the National Assessment Service and Leading Assessment Managers to develop a pool of suitable freelance assessors, allocate assessments to assessors and supervise their work including robust quality assurance of assessment reports.

Responsibilities

• Manage Carer Journeys: Oversee the complete assessment process, ensuring timely and quality submissions of Form F and preparation for panel approval.
• Supervise and support both internal and freelance assessors, ensuring adherence to our high standards and promoting continuous professional development.
• Quality Assurance - Monitor and ensure all documents and reports meet our stringent quality and regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement - Build and maintain strong relationships with internal teams, freelance assessors, local authorities, and other partner agencies.
• Process Improvement - Work with leadership to evaluate and enhance team performance, contributing to the development of processes, systems, and statistical reporting.

Qualifications

• Experience as a Social Worker with first‑hand knowledge and experience of fostering assessments.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant fostering policies, regulation and legislation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, computer literate and holding a current driving licence (required for travel to regional offices).
• Previous management or supervisory experience is desirable but not essential.

Company Information

National Fostering Group has over 20 years of experience and is the largest independent children’s fostering group in the UK, with a community of over 2,500 foster carers. We offer a 4‑day working week (80% of the hours for 100% pay) following a successful 6‑month probationary period. We are officially rated as a Great Place to Work 2025 and have Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish ratings of ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’ across all our agencies.

Benefits

• Up to 39 days annual leave each year (25 base entitlement + 1 one‑moment-in‑time + 8 bank holidays + ability to buy up to 5 extra days).
• Life Assurance.
• £3,000 car allowance.
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions.
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first‑class mental health support services and physical health checks.
• Flexible Benefits Platform (Vista) – choose from a variety of health, wellbeing and insurance benefits, 100s of discount options, Cycle to Work Schemes, Electric Car Purchase Scheme, and Critical Illness Cover.

Equal Opportunities

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer and expect all employees to share our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.