Fostering Team Leader

Stockport Council; Stockport; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Stockport is seeking a Team Leader for their fostering service. You will lead recruitment activities, advise the Fostering panel, and manage two support teams during absences. Applicants should have significant experience in fostering services and a commitment to enhancing care for local children. This role supports ongoing professional development with flexible working options.

Benefits

Flexibility in working arrangements

Commitment to wellbeing

Peer support

Qualifications

• Experience working at management level in a busy fostering service.
• Knowledge of the No Wrong Door Project and Mockingbird Family Model is desirable.
• Commitment to the best possible care for local children.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment activities for the fostering service.
• Advise and support the Fostering panel.
• Act as duty manager during managerial absences.

Skills

Experience in fostering service

Track record of prioritising workloads

Commitment to professional development

Job description

Team & Role

The fostering service has within it three teams: the Kinship Care Team, the Mainstream Support and Supervision team, and the Mainstream Recruitment and Assessment team. The team leader vacancy is within the Mainstream Recruitment and Assessment team.

In this role you will take a lead role in recruitment, act as the Professional Advisor to Stockport’s Fostering panel who meet every other week, and serve as duty manager for both the Mainstream Support and Supervision team and the Kinship Care team when those managers are unavailable. It is essential that you have extensive knowledge of a fostering service.

You will have the support of a full‑time Advanced Practitioner. Stockport Council holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this licence can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not currently qualify.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment activities for the fostering service.

• Advise and support the Fostering panel.

• Act as duty manager for the two supporting teams during managerial absences.

• Prioritise workloads and manage a fast‑paced environment.

• Foster best practice and innovation within Stockport Family.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience working in a busy fostering service, ideally at management level.

• Proven track record of prioritising workloads.

• Commitment to the future growth of the service and the best possible care for local children.

• Knowledge of the No Wrong Door Project, Mockingbird Family Model, and the Greater Manchester Community of Practice is desirable.

• Commitment to professional development and continuous learning.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the About You or Supporting Statement section of your application.

EEO and Diversity

We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers and ex‑military personnel. As part of the Guaranteed Assessment Scheme you will therefore be guaranteed to be shortlisted for Assessment if you meet both the criteria for the scheme and the essential job role criteria. Find out if you meet the criteria here: https://www.greater.jobs/our-guaranteed-assessment-scheme

What We Offer

You will be joining a well‑established successful fostering service that welcomes creativity and innovation. The fostering service has established management structure, peer support, and a well‑embedded restorative model, and Stockport Families approach to service delivery.

Stockport Family values diversity and the unique perspectives that each of us brings. We are committed to recruiting a workforce that is representative of the diverse needs of our communities.

We are proud to be recognised under the Good Employment Charter as an organisation committed to the wellbeing of our colleagues. We pledge to pay the real living wage, engage staff in key decisions, and endorse fair and flexible working conditions.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to join our workforce. We also offer a range of flexible or hybrid working arrangements and inclusive employment policies.

Contact

Please email [e-mail] and follow our recruitment team on X, Instagram and Facebook for updates on our vacancies and recruitment events.

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