Team Manager - Approved Kinship Team in the Fostering Service

BCP Council; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

BCP Council in Bournemouth is seeking an experienced Team Manager to lead the Approved Kinship Team within the Fostering Service. The role oversees five qualified social workers and ensures high-quality practice and timely support for kinship carers.

You will drive compliance with the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards, coordinate with Kinship Assessment and SGO Support teams, and develop groups, training and mentoring initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experienced manager with a strong understanding of fostering and kinship care, and the needs of children in care
• Sound knowledge of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services
• Ability to provide effective leadership, supervision and practice oversight to a team of qualified social workers
• Strong safeguarding oversight and confident decision-making
• Commitment to supporting kinship foster carers to meet fostering requirements and standards and achieve positive outcomes for children
• Ability to develop responsive, strengths-based support for kinship carers, including support groups, training, mentoring and buddying arrangements
• Strong collaborative working with the Kinship Assessment Team, SGO Support Team and wider partners
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands in a busy service
• Commitment to the wellbeing, performance and professional development of the team

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of five qualified social workers and provide strong operational oversight
• Ensure kinship carers meet the requirements of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards
• Work closely with Kinship Assessment Team and SGO Support Team to ensure joined-up support for kinship families
• Develop responsive support for kinship carers through groups, training, mentoring and buddying arrangements
• Support effective planning for carers and children where Special Guardianship may provide a permanence pathway
• Promote a culture of safeguarding and professional development within the team

Skills

Leadership

Fostering knowledge

Safeguarding

Team management

Collaboration

Job description

The following content displays a map of the jobs location - Bournemouth

Team Manager - Approved Kinship Team in the Fostering Service

Dynamics Position No. and Role Profile Code TBCJI

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Permanent

Starting Salary £56,293

Working Hours:

37

Location:

Bournemouth

Closing Date:

10/11/2026

Job Category:

Children's Social Care

Region / Division:

Children's Services

Business Unit:

Children's Social Care

Job Introduction

Starting salary for this role is£56,293 (pro rata for part-time colleagues)

This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly#BeTheDifference at BCP.

Internal colleagues are also normally appointed at the bottom of the band, unless moving within the same profession and skill level, where the pay band is the same they can be appointed to the existing pay point.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated manager who can lead with confidence, work collaboratively and contribute to the continued development of our kinship offer for children and their carers.

About the Role

The Approved Kinship Team supports approved kinship foster carers. The successful candidate will lead a team of five qualified social workers, providing strong operational and practice oversight and supporting the team to deliver a responsive, high-quality service.

A key focus will be ensuring that kinship foster carers are supported to meet the requirements of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services, helping carers provide safe, stable and nurturing homes and achieve good outcomes for children.

The Team Manager will work closely with the Kinship Assessment Team and the SGO Support Team to ensure clear pathways and joined-up support for kinship families. This will include developing responsive support for kinship carers through support groups, training, mentoring and buddying arrangements, alongside wider initiatives such as Mockingbird and It Takes a Family.

The role will also support effective planning for carers and children where Special Guardianship may provide an appropriate permanence pathway.

Key Experience and Skills

• Experienced manager with a strong understanding of fostering and kinship care, and the needs of children in care
• Sound knowledge of the Fostering Services Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services
• Ability to provide effective leadership, supervision and practice oversight to a team of qualified social workers
• Strong safeguarding oversight and confident decision-making
• Commitment to supporting kinship foster carers to meet fostering requirements and standards and achieve positive outcomes for children
• Ability to develop responsive, strengths-based support for kinship carers, including support groups, training, mentoring and buddying arrangements
• Strong collaborative working with the Kinship Assessment Team, SGO Support Team and wider partners
• Highly organised, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands in a busy service
• Commitment to the wellbeing, performance and professional development of the team

Informal Discussion

If you would like to explore whether this opportunity is right for you, we warmly encourage an informal conversation.

Please contact Rubina Payne, Head of Service – Fostering, Kinship & Supported Lodgings.

Key Dates

• Expressions of interest close: 10 November
• Interviews: 17 November

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise –it’show we work.

We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need.

It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help . For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce—we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.

Be the difference - Join an organisation that values you

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment . Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.