Fostering Team Manager - Doncaster

Five Rivers; Doncaster; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Pension scheme

Medical cash back

Professional supervision

Training & progression opportunities

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Five Rivers Child Care in Doncaster is seeking an experienced Fostering Service Team Manager to lead and develop our fostering service, ensuring outstanding care and support for children and young people living with foster families.

You will work with Local Authorities, contribute to foster carer recruitment, attend events and shape the continued growth of the service, while maintaining a relational, evidence-based approach.

Qualifications

• Qualified Social Worker with recognised qualification.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Significant experience with children, young people and families.
• Strong understanding of fostering, safeguarding, attachment and trauma-informed practice.
• Strong assessment, communication and report writing skills.
• Excellent leadership and organisational abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the fostering service to deliver outstanding care for children and young people.
• Recruit, support and develop foster carers; drive service growth and partnerships with Local Authorities.
• Deliver high-quality reviews, care planning and reporting to ensure best outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Report writing

Assessment

Relationship-building

Education

Qualified Social Worker

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

Are you an experienced, motivated and ambitious Fostering Service Team Manager who can help us to lead, develop and continuously improve our fostering service; ensuring that children and young people receive outstanding care and support living with fostering families?

If so, we would like you to join our North Fostering Service which covers Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. You will be based at our office in Doncaster with flexible home working arrangements.

The North Fostering Service covers a wide geographical area, including Rotherham, Leeds, Beverley, Hull, Brighouse, Barnsley, Scunthorpe, Lincoln, Grimsby, York, Kirklees, Skegness, Dewsbury, Castleford, Wakefield and Bakewell.

We are a growing service who puts children first without exception. We value and support our Foster Carers and practitioners and are determined to improve outcomes for children through collaboration and co‑production.

You will be joining a supportive and experienced fostering team where your practice will help foster carers provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for children and young people…an opportunity to truly turn children’s lives around and make a real difference.

You will be confident and competent in managing people, quality assurance, performance and data analysis.

You will have a relational approach and work in partnership with Local Authorities, internal and external professionals; and you will undertake reviews, and complete high‑quality reports and recording, and be part of care planning activity that evidences strong practice and decision making.

At Five Rivers, we work with an Attachment and Trauma‑Informed (ATIC) model, bringing together fostering, residential, clinical and education services to achieve the best possible everyday experiences and outcomes based on identified needs for children and young people. You will be part of a multi‑disciplinary network supported by psychologists, therapeutic practitioners, foster support workers and business support colleagues, giving you the tools and expertise to deliver high‑quality, relationship‑based practice.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and skilled social work professional who is fully committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for children, supporting foster families, and driving continuous learning and improvement within a dynamic fostering service.

You will also contribute to foster carer recruitment, attend fostering events, support assessments and help shape the continued growth and success of the Service.

We are looking for someone who brings warmth, curiosity and professional confidence to their work; a reflective, child‑focused manager who can work independently while being an active and positive member of a collaborative regional team.

To find out more about our fostering service visit: Fostering Children with Five Rivers Child Care UK

Essential Requirements

• A genuine and heart felt commitment to improving outcomes for children and keeping them at the centre of all practice and decision making.
• Qualified Social Worker with a recognised Social Work qualification.
• Registered with Social Work England.
• Significant experience of working with children, young people and families; fostering experience is desirable but not essential.
• A good understanding of fostering, safeguarding, attachment and trauma informed practice.
• Strong assessment, communication and report writing skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Confidence to manage a varied caseload, complete statutory driven tasks within specified timescales.
• Work both independently and as part of a team.
• The confidence to appropriately challenge, as well as encourage and support foster carers and practitioners.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Management/leadership qualification, or willingness to undertake training.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• Right to work in the UK.

Why Join Five Rivers?

• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• £5,100 car allowance per annum.
• Group Clinical Supervision provided by a qualified psychologist/clinician.
• Simply Health Medical Cash Back Plan.
• Pension Scheme and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Enhanced Maternity Leave package for employees with over one year's service.
• Professional Social Work Supervision provided by an experienced manager.
• Access to high‑quality training, reflective supervision and career progression opportunities to support your professional development.

Five Rivers Child Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children and Young People. Applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate child protection screening, including employment references and an Enhanced DBS check.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.