Assessment Manager

National Fostering Group; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 43,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading children’s fostering organization is seeking an Assessment Manager to oversee the management and coordination of assessor teams. The ideal candidate will be an experienced Social Worker with expertise in fostering assessments. Responsibilities include managing the assessment process, ensuring adherence to quality standards, and engaging with stakeholders. This position offers up to £42,500 annually, plus benefits such as a £3,000 car allowance and generous annual leave.

Benefits

Up to 39 days annual leave

Life Assurance

Pension scheme

Mental health support services

Health benefits

Discount options

Cycle to Work Schemes

Electric Car Purchase Scheme

Critical illness cover

Qualifications

• Experience in fostering assessments and ability to ensure high standards.
• Knowledge of relevant policies, regulation, and legislation.
• Current driving licence required for travel to regional offices.

Responsibilities

• Manage the complete assessment process for Foster Carers.
• Supervise and support assessors to maintain quality standards.
• Ensure monitoring of documents and reports meets quality standards.
• Build relationships with stakeholders including local authorities.
• Contribute to process improvement and team performance evaluation.

Skills

Experienced Social Worker

Knowledge of fostering assessments

Excellent written and verbal communication

Computer literate

Education

Relevant professional qualifications in Social Work

Job description

Job Title: Assessment Manager

Location: Regionally Based across England and Wales

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Salary: up to £42,500 per annum (plus £3,000 car allowance)

About the Group

National Fostering Group is the largest independent children’s fostering group in the UK, with over 2,500 foster carers. We are rated as a Great Place to Work 2025 with 83% of employees saying it is a great place to work. All of our fostering agencies across the UK are officially recognised by Ofsted, Welsh and Scottish regulators as either ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Good’. We also offer a 4‑day working week – 80% of the hours for 100% pay following a successful 6‑month probationary period and is a performance‑based benefit.

About the Role

We are looking for a highly skilled practitioner to manage and coordinate a team of assessors, ensuring the approval of high‑quality Foster Carers while meeting Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards and Regulatory Requirements.

Role duties

• 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.

Who are we looking for?

You will be an experienced Social Worker with first‑hand knowledge and experience of fostering assessments and the ability to ensure that they are completed to a high standard in line with agency and regulatory requirements. You will possess excellent knowledge of relevant fostering policies, regulation and legislation. You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and be computer literate, with a current driving licence as this role will require travel to regional offices within the National Fostering Group. Previous management or supervisory experience is desirable but not essential.

But what else is in it for you?

• 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
• A wide range of health, wellbeing and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.

We are an Equal Opportunities Employer