Fostering Team Manager

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Knowsley; Hybrid; GBP 55.000 - 65.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Competitive salary and generous packag

Hybrid working arrangements

Leadership development programmes

Reflective supervision and CPD

Generous annual leave entitlement

Career progression opportunities

Zusammenfassung

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council is seeking an experienced and ambitious Team Manager to lead our Fostering Service, guiding a team of supervising social workers and ensuring high-quality outcomes for looked after children.

You will champion relationship-based practice with foster carers, children and families, drive service improvement, oversee assessments and reviews, and ensure compliance with fostering regulations and national standards.

Qualifikationen

• Is registered with Social Work England.
• Substantial experience within fostering, permanence, looked after children or related children's social care services.
• Experience supervising, developing and supporting social work practitioners.

Aufgaben

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of supervising social workers.
• Provide effective management oversight, supervision and support to staff.
• Drive high-quality fostering practice that delivers positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Champion relationship-based practice with foster carers, children and families.
• Oversee foster carer assessments, reviews, support, supervision, planning and working within court directed timescales.
• Ensure the service meets statutory responsibilities, fostering regulations, national minimum standards and quality assurance requirements.
• Promote placement stability, permanence planning and positive experiences for children in care.
• Support foster carer recruitment, development and retention.
• Build effective partnerships with children, carers, families and multi-agency professionals.
• Contribute to service development, innovation and the continued improvement of Knowsley Children's Services.

Kenntnisse

Leadership

Social work knowledge

Risk management

Relationship building

Decision making

Ausbildung

Social Work England registration

Jobbeschreibung

We are looking for driven and passionate people to work with us to deliver real benefits for our residents and businesses and become part of the Knowsley Journey

• Location: Nutgrove Villa, Westmorland Road, Huyton , Knowsley , L36 6GA, Hybrid Working
• Contract: Permanent
• Working Pattern: Full Time
• Hours: 36 hours per week.
• Closing Date: 22/11/2026 at 23:59
• Reference: CVP 0723

Ready to lead a team that helps provide safe, stable and loving homes for children?

There's never been a more exciting time to join Knowsley Children's Services.

We're looking for an experienced and ambitious Team Manager to lead our Fostering Service as we continue our improvement journey and strengthen our support to children, young people, foster carers and families.

This is more than a management role. It's an opportunity to shape outstanding fostering practice, support and develop a skilled team, strengthen relationships with foster carers and ensure children have the stability, permanence and care they deserve.

If you're a confident and inspirational social work leader who is passionate about fostering, relationship-based practice and achieving the very best outcomes for children, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Knowsley?

A service that's moving forward

We're investing significantly in Children's Services and the impact of that investment is being recognised. Our fostering service plays a vital role in supporting children to remain within family-based care wherever possible, ensuring they experience stable, nurturing homes that help them thrive.

Leadership that listens

Your expertise, ideas and professional judgement will be valued. You'll work alongside visible and supportive senior leaders who understand the challenges and opportunities within fostering and are committed to helping services succeed.

Making a difference for foster carers and children

Foster carers are at the heart of everything we do. You'll lead a service focused on supporting, developing and retaining carers, recognising the crucial role they play in transforming children and young people’s lives. Supporting foster cars is a key national priority in improving outcomes and placement stability for children.

Develop your career

Our Social Work Academy provides leadership development, coaching, reflective practice and continuous learning opportunities. You'll have access to high-quality professional development while helping shape the next generation of social workers and fostering practitioners.

Big ambitions, small enough to make a difference

Knowsley offers the best of both worlds. We're ambitious for children and families, yet small enough for leaders to have visibility, influence and a genuine opportunity to shape services.

About the Role

• Lead, motivate and develop a team of supervising social workers.
• Provide effective management oversight, supervision and support to staff.
• Drive high-quality fostering practice that delivers positive outcomes for children and young people.
• Champion relationship-based practice with foster carers, children and families.
• Oversee foster carer assessments, reviews, support, supervision, planning and working within court directed timescales
• Ensure the service meets statutory responsibilities, fostering regulations, national minimum standards and quality assurance requirements.
• Promote placement stability, permanence planning and positive experiences for children in care.
• Support foster carer recruitment, development and retention.
• Build effective partnerships with children, carers, families and multi-agency professionals.
• Contribute to service development, innovation and the continued improvement of Knowsley Children's Services.

Who We're Looking For

• Is registered with Social Work England.
• Has substantial experience within fostering, permanence, looked after children or related children's social care services.
• Has experience supervising, developing and supporting social work practitioners.
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills and the ability to create a positive, high-performing team culture.
• Has a sound understanding of fostering legislation, regulations, standards and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Is confident making complex decisions and managing risk.
• Can build strong relationships with foster carers, children, families and partner agencies.
• Is committed to promoting stability, permanence and outstanding outcomes for children.
• Holds a full driving licence and has access to a vehicle.

What We Offer

Explore our full benefits:

https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/yes/our-offer

• Competitive salary and generous benefits package.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Strong leadership support and management oversight.
• Access to our Social Work Academy and leadership development programmes.
• Reflective supervision and continuous professional development.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Excellent opportunities for career progression and advancement.

Join Us and Help Shape the Future of Fostering in Knowsley

We're building a service where children experience stability, belonging and positive futures, and where foster carers and practitioners feel valued, supported and empowered to do their very best work.

If you're ready to lead with confidence, champion excellent fostering practice and be part of a Local Authority committed to improvement and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.

We welcome applications from residents and beyond, regardless of background, belief or identity, recognizing the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce.

Please note sponsorship is not available for this role.

Closing Date: Sunday, 22nd November 2026 at 23:59pm