Assistant Team Manager (Fostering Recruitment and Assessment)

Hampshire County Council; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking an Assistant Team Manager for its Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team. The role involves leading operations to recruit and assess foster carers, ensuring safeguarding standards, and supervising social work staff. Candidates must be qualified Social Workers, experienced in fostering contexts, and passionate about improving children's lives. A competitive benefits package is included.

Benefits

Health Assured's Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave

Occupational sick pay

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• Proven experience working with foster carers and looked after children.
• Ability to manage complex cases and competing priorities.
• Experience in multi-agency environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of Assessing Social Workers and Recruitment Officers.
• Act as the key link with Fostering Panel Chairs.
• Ensure safeguarding during the recruitment and assessment process.
• Monitor team capacity and performance development.
• Promote quality assurance through audits and reviews.
• Contribute to recruitment events and service development.

Skills

Strong understanding of safeguarding principles

Excellent assessment skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to lead a team

Passionate about fostering

Education

Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England

Job description

Assistant Team Manager (Fostering Recruitment and Assessment)

Job Reference: HCC622687

Salary Range: £45,243 - £49,677 per annum, inclusive of Market Supplement of £4,600 per annum

Contract Type: Permanent

Closing Date: 23 November 2025

Interview Date: 1 December 2025

The Role:

Joining our Fostering Recruitment and Assessment Team as an Assistant Team Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading the operational delivery of foster carer recruitment and assessment across Hampshire. Working alongside another Assistant Team Manager, you’ll supervise staff, drive service improvement, and help maintain high standards of practice across the team.

Our team is at the heart of Hampshire’s efforts to grow its fostering community and meet the needs of our most vulnerable children. We recruit carers who can offer safe, nurturing homes to children who cannot live with their own families. Your work will be instrumental in shaping how we engage with our communities and promote fostering as a rewarding and life-changing journey for both carers and the children they care for.

What you’ll do:

• Lead and supervise a team of Assessing Social Workers and Recruitment Officers, overseeing caseloads, assessments, and case progression.
• Act as the key link with Fostering Panel Chairs to ensure submitted assessment packs are clear, complete, and ready for smooth panel hearings.
• Ensure safeguarding is prioritised throughout the recruitment and assessment process, taking appropriate action in line with statutory frameworks.
• Monitor team capacity, wellbeing, and performance development.
• Promote quality assurance through audits and reviews.
• Contribute to recruitment events, marketing campaigns, and service development.

What we’re looking for:

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding principles and the legislative frameworks underpinning fostering and Children in Care.
• Proven experience working with foster carers, looked after children, and in multi‑agency environments.
• Excellent assessment, communication, and organisational skills, with the ability to manage complex cases and competing priorities.
• Ability to lead, motivate and support a diverse team, fostering a positive and high‑performing environment.
• Passionate about fostering and committed to achieving positive outcomes.

Take a look at our Candidate Pack for more information about the Assistant Team Manager role, team and our values. The section ‘About you’ explains what specific knowledge, skills and experience we want you to tell us about. Make sure you explain how you meet these requirements and demonstrate our values, in your application.

• Be part of an Outstanding local authority fostering service, making a meaningful difference in children’s lives.
• Develop your leadership skills in a dynamic and supportive environment.
• Help shape the future of fostering in Hampshire through innovation and collaboration.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme. Find more informationhere .

Important: You must already have the right to work in the UK. We are currently unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Other job titles you may be searching for: Deputy Team Manager, Senior Social Worker, Fostering Team Leader, Social Work Supervisor, Assistant Manager – Children’s Services, Fostering Assessment Lead.

Travel Requirements:

You will be required to travel to various locations within Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, and it is essential that you have a current drivers’ licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Additional Information:

Assistant Team Manager (Fostering Recruitment and Assessment) Candidate Pack

Vetting Requirements:

The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. As such, please note that under safer recruitment requirements for Children’s Services, references will be requested prior to interview.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.