Fostering Team Manager

Salford Council; Swinton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in the United Kingdom is seeking a Fostering Team Manager. This role involves leading a team to ensure high standards of care, compliance with fostering regulations, and fostering carer development. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in social work management, a strong understanding of legislation, and a passion for improving outcomes for children in foster care. Join a stable and collaborative team dedicated to positive change.

Qualifications

• Confident and skilled social work manager with proven leadership abilities.
• Strong knowledge of fostering regulations and best practices.
• Commitment to children-centered approaches and values-driven practice.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team responsible for assessment and support of foster carers.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements and best practice.
• Oversee training and quality assurance for foster carers.

Skills

Leadership

Knowledge of fostering regulations

Performance management

Education

Social work qualifications and SWE Registration

Job description

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

Responsibilities

• 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 align 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.

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.

Qualifications

• 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.

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.