Fostering Team Manager

inploi; Salford; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A local fostering service in Salford is looking for a Fostering Team Manager. This role requires strong leadership and management skills to oversee a team responsible for the support and assessment of foster carers. The ideal candidate will have social work qualifications along with knowledge of fostering regulations and a commitment to child-centred practices. This full-time position offers the chance to make a significant impact on the lives of children and young people in foster care.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead staff and manage performance.
• Understanding of foster carer recruitment and assessment.
• Experience with safeguarding and best practice standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage a high-performing team in fostering service.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Oversee training and development of foster carers.

Skills

Social work qualifications

Knowledge of fostering regulations

Leadership ability

Child-centred approach

Education

SWE Registration

Job description

Fostering Team Manager

Full Time 36 hours per week (Mon Fri)
Salary: Grade 5A - £54,495 - £56,288
Location: Unity House Swinton, Salford

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 assessment, supervision, and support of foster carers. 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 Hubs.
• Oversee foster carer training 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.
• 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.

How to Apply

Please submit online application with your CV and a supporting statement outlining how your experience meets the key responsibilities and essential requirements of the role.

Closing Date: 4/1/2026

Interview Date: 16/1/2026

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

If you have completed the GM Elevate Leadership Development Programme within the last 2 years, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.