Fostering Services Team Leader

Salford-Council; Swinton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Salford Council is recruiting a Fostering Team Manager on a fixed-term basis for 2 years in Swinton. You will lead a team responsible for fostering assessments, supervision, and support of foster carers and supported lodgings, ensuring safety and compliance with statutory requirements.

You will provide decisive leadership, oversee reviews and audits, and drive quality improvements through data reporting, while supporting recruitment and retention strategies for foster carers.

Qualifications

• Holds social work qualification and SWE registration.
• Strong knowledge of fostering regulations and safeguarding.
• Proven leadership and performance management experience.
• Child-centred, values-driven practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage a high-performing team overseeing assessments, supervision, and support of foster carers and supported lodgings.
• Provide clear, decisive leadership and management oversight, including covering fostering duty on a weekly rota basis.
• Oversee reviews, audits, and quality assurance of fostering assessments ensuring alignment with statutory requirements.
• Monitor performance through weekly and monthly reports, using data to drive service improvements.
• Ensure compliance with fostering regulations, National Minimum Standards, safeguarding requirements, and recruitment/retention strategies for foster carers.
• Oversee themes areas and development, ensuring mandatory and best practice standards are met.
• Contribute to policy and guidance updates to stay aligned with legislation.
• Act as Panel Advisor when required and provide regulatory oversight to the panel.
• Support LADO referrals and ensure timely follow-up actions.

Skills

Social work qualification

SWE registration

Fostering regulations knowledge

Safeguarding best practice

Staff leadership

Performance management

Foster carer recruitment

Education

Social work degree

SWE registration

Job description

Salford Council is recruiting a Fostering Team Manager on a fixed-term basis for 2 years in Swinton. You will lead a team responsible for fostering assessments, supervision, and support of foster carers and supported lodgings, ensuring safety and compliance with statutory requirements.

You will provide decisive leadership, oversee reviews and audits, and drive quality improvements through data reporting, while supporting recruitment and retention strategies for foster carers.