Fostering Manager

Salford Council; Salford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Salford Council is recruiting a Fostering Team Manager to lead a high-performing team responsible for assessments, supervision and support of foster carers, ensuring safety, compliance and best practice.

You will oversee reviews, audits and quality assurance, manage weekly duty rosters, support recruitment and retention, and contribute to policy development while advising the panel and safeguarding colleagues.

Qualifications

• Holds social work qualifications and SWE Registration.
• Experience and strong knowledge of fostering regulations and safeguarding.
• Proven ability to lead staff, manage performance, and deliver high standards as an advance social worker or experienced manager.
• Understanding of sufficiency, foster carer recruitment, assessment, and retention.

Responsibilities

• Manage a high-performing team responsible for assessments, supervision, and support of foster carers and supported lodgings; ensure safety, effectiveness, and statutory compliance.
• Provide clear leadership and management oversight, including covering fostering duty on a weekly rota basis.
• Oversee reviews, audits, and quality assurance of fostering assessments and reports; ensure alignment with statutory requirements.
• Monitor performance through weekly and monthly reports and use data to drive service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with fostering regulations and safeguarding; support recruitment and retention strategies for foster carers and Mockingbird Hub Liaison workers.
• Develop policy and guidance; ensure it remains current and aligned with legislation.
• Act as Panel Advisor when required and provide professional advice and regulatory oversight to the panel.
• Support LADO referrals and ensure timely follow-up actions.

Skills

Team leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Decision making

Data driven decisions

Education

SWE Registration

Social work qualification

Job description

Fixed term for 2 years

Closing Date: 29/9/2026
Interview Date: 9/10/2026

Are you passionate about making a real difference for children and young people in foster care? Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where strong leadership and high-quality practice drive positive outcomes? If so, we want you to join our dedicated fostering service as a Fostering Team Manager.

About the Role

As a key leader within our fostering service, you will:

• Manage a high-performing team responsible for assessments, supervision, and support of foster carers and supported lodgings. Your role will ensure the service is safe, effective, and compliant with statutory requirements whilst promoting best practice and innovation.
• Provide clear, decisive leadership and management oversight, including covering fostering duty on a weekly rota basis.
• Oversee reviews, complete audits, and quality assurance of fostering assessments (reviews, connected carers, foster-to-adopt, SGO reports and support plans) ensuring they algin with statutory requirements.
• Monitoring performance through weekly and monthly reports, using data to drive service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with fostering regulations, National Minimum Standards, and safeguarding requirements. Whilst supporting recruitment and retention strategies for foster carers, including supporting Mockingbird Hub Liaison workers.
• Oversee themes areas and development, ensuring mandatory and best practice standards are met.
• Contribute and develop policy and guidance ensuring it remains current and aligned with legislation.
• Act as Panel Advisor when required, providing professional advice and regulatory oversight to the panel.
• Support LADO referrals and ensure timely follow-up actions.

We are seeking:

A confident, skilled and committed experienced social work manager who:

• Holds social work qualifications and SWE Registration.
• Has experience and strong knowledge of fostering regulations and associated legislation, safeguarding, and best practice.
• A proven ability to lead staff, manage performance, and deliver high standards as an advance social worker or experienced manager.
• Understanding of sufficiency, foster carer recruitment, assessment, and retention. A child-centred approach and commitment to values-driven practice.

Our services are rated Good; the fostering service has stable supportive team who work collaboratively to achieve positive outcomes for children and carers and a strong culture of learning, through reflection and partnership working.

This is an ideal role for someone who thrives in a values-led environment, is both reflective and decisive, and is driven by a genuine commitment to delivering the best possible support for children, carers, and families.

What We Offer:

• The opportunity to shape and test an innovative approach to early permanence and SGO preparation.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking team environment.
• Professional development opportunities and scope to influence wider service improvements.
• A strong stable team with good relationships and inclusive approach.
• Working within an Good Ofsted rated authority aiming for outstanding.

Please be aware that this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to the link below for details for how to obtain your Certificates of Good Character. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants

What we need from you if you are invited to interview:

• Passport/ID - You will be required to provide original documentation confirming your right to work in the UK. Successful candidates will also be required to provide proof of address.

• Qualifications/registrations if applicable for the role

Want to know more about Salford?

As an authority we are dedicated to improving the lives of our residents, and as an employer we are passionate about helping individuals to thrive in their work. We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive culture and are proud of our professional accreditations which champion this.

Find out about our city as a place to live, work & grow, and learn more about the amazing work we are doing. You’ll also find out about the wealth of benefits we have to offer you on our Salford pages!
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Supporting Documents

Role Profile Fostering Practice Manager