Team Manager | Fostering Assessment Team

Lancashire County Council; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working

Staff wellbeing

Job summary

Lancashire County Council is seeking an experienced Team Manager to lead our Fostering Assessment Team in Lancashire. You will provide clear direction, support, and challenge to a team of skilled social workers, keeping the wellbeing of children at the centre of every decision.

The role offers flexible and hybrid working, with access to professional development through our Social Work Academy, and opportunities to influence practice and improve outcomes for children and families.

Qualifications

• Demonstrates strong leadership and management capability.
• Has experience working with children and families, with insight into fostering.
• Committed to strengths-based and relationship-focused practice.
• Ability to drive high standards and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to coach, supervise, and develop staff.
• Experience in partnership working to safeguard children.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing Fostering Assessment Team.
• Promote high-quality, strengths-based fostering assessments.
• Support applicants through assessment to secure the best outcomes for children and families.
• Create a positive, reflective, and learning-focused team culture.
• Drive practice excellence through coaching, supervision, and professional development.
• Work collaboratively with partners to safeguard children and ensure homes are found for children at the right time.
• Ensure effective performance management and service delivery.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Fostering practice

Job description

Job Description

| Salary £53,051-£57,447, Per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week |

International Sponsorship

This role is not open to international sponsorship

Lead Outstanding Practice. Inspire Positive Change.

Are you an experienced and motivating social worker ready to take the next step in your career?

Lancashire County Council is seeking a passionate and ambitious Team Manager to lead one of our successful Fostering Assessment Teams in Lancashire. This is an exciting opportunity to join a service that is committed to strengths-based practice, relational social work, and delivering outstanding outcomes for children and families.

About The Role

You will play a pivotal leadership role, providing direction, support, and challenge to a team of skilled practitioners while ensuring children remain at the centre of everything we do.

• Leading and developing a high-performing Fostering Assessment Team.
• Promoting high-quality, strengths-based fostering assessments.
• Supporting applicants through assessment to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families.
• Creating a positive, reflective, and learning-focused team culture.
• Driving practice excellence through coaching, supervision, and professional development.
• Working collaboratively with partners to safeguard children and ensure we find the right homes for children at the right time.
• Ensuring effective performance management and service delivery.

Why Join Lancashire?

You’ll be joining an established Fostering Service in Lancashire where senior leaders are committed to investing in staff, supporting professional growth, and enabling excellent social work practice.

As the fourth largest local authority in England and the largest in the North, Lancashire County Council serves over 1.2 million residents and delivers innovative services that make a real difference to people’s lives.

We understand that exceptional outcomes for children are achieved when practitioners feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. That's why we have created a positive culture where staff wellbeing, learning, and development are prioritised.

What We Offer

A Strong Learning Culture

Our renowned Social Work Academy was one of the first established by a local authority and continues to be a cornerstone of our commitment to professional development.

• Comprehensive induction programmes for new starters.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Support from experienced Advanced Practitioners.
• Access to the latest research and evidence-informed practice.
• Continuous opportunities to enhance leadership and management skills.

Career Development

• Excellent progression opportunities.
• Access to specialist training and qualifications.
• Leadership development programmes.
• Opportunities to influence and shape service delivery.

Flexible and Supportive Working

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Equipment to work effectively from home.
• Strong management support.
• A focus on staff wellbeing.
• Practitioner forums and professional networks to collaborate and share best practice.

What We're Looking For

• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.
• Has experience of working with children and families, and ideally an insight or experience in working in fostering.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and management capability.
• Can inspire, develop, and motivate teams.
• Is committed to strengths-based and relationship-focused practice.
• Has the ability to drive high standards and support continuous improvement.

Additional Information

• This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, as amended.
• Social Work applicants must be registered with Social Work England (SWE) to be appointed as a Social Worker or have applied to register with SWE. For this role you are unable to commence post without Registration.
• Lancashire County Council offers an excellent range of employee benefits available on the LCC Vacancies website.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.