Team Manager l Kinship Assessment Team l Preston l Full time

Lancashire County Council; Preston; On-site; GBP 51,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Preston seeks a dynamic Team Manager for its Kinship Assessment Team. This permanent, full-time position requires a qualified Social Worker with at least 3 years of leadership experience in Children's Services. You will lead a team dedicated to supporting Kinship carers and delivering high-quality assessments. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to making a positive impact in children's lives. Competitive salary of £51,356 - £55,612 per annum.

Benefits

Ongoing professional development

Access to career progression

Supportive team environment

Qualifications

• At least 3 years' leadership experience in Children's Services.
• Experience in children's social care or fostering.
• Skilled in reflective supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team delivering assessments and support.
• Champion a creative, family-focused approach.
• Manage complex safeguarding and care planning.

Skills

Empathy

Leadership

Knowledge of fostering regulations

Trauma-informed practice

Team development

Education

Qualified Social Worker

Registered with Social Work England

Job description

Overview

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Job Description

Salary £53,156 - £55,612 per annum per annum l Permanent l Full time, 37 hours per week l Kinship Assessment Team l County Hall, Preston

International Sponsorship - this role is not open to international sponsorship

Team Manager - Kinship Assessment | Children's Services | Lancashire County Council

Location: Preston, Lancashire
Salary: £51,356 - £55,612 (Grade 11)
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

Are you ready to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact in children's lives?

We're looking for a dynamic, compassionate, and experienced Team Manager to lead one of our three dedicated Kinship Assessment Teams within Lancashire's award-winning fostering service. This is your opportunity to shape the future of fostering and support Kinship carers and families—helping to Make Every Memory Count for our children.

About the Role

As Team Manager, you'll lead a multidisciplinary team of Senior Practitioners, Social Workers, and Fostering Support Workers, delivering high-quality assessments and support to Kinship carers. Your team will carry out:

• Regulation 24 assessments
• Viability assessments
• Dual SGO/Fostering assessments
• Supervision of Reg.24 carers during temporary approval

You'll champion a creative, family-focused approach, ensuring children can remain within their existing networks wherever possible.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a leader who is:

• Empathetic, supportive, and driven to make a difference
• Experienced in children's social care or fostering
• Knowledgeable in fostering regulations and assessment frameworks
• Skilled in trauma-informed practice and reflective supervision
• Able to inspire and develop a high-performing team

You'll also need to be a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England, and have at least 3 years' leadership experience in Children's Services.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a forward-thinking, award-winning fostering service
• Work within a large, supportive team committed to excellence
• Lead a team that's passionate about making a difference
• Access ongoing professional development and career progression
• Help deliver on Lancashire's vision:
  "Children, young people and their families are safe, healthy and achieve their full potential."

What You'll Bring

• Strong leadership and performance management skills
• Experience managing complex safeguarding and care planning
• Ability to build effective partnerships across agencies
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and wellbeing in the workplace
• A car insured for business use

Ready to Lead Change?

If you're ready to take the next step in your leadership journey and help shape the future of fostering in Lancashire, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and be the difference.

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel may be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.

For an informal discussion about the role please contact Catherine Gill on [e-mail] or 07866 077504

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.

You must be registered (SWE) to be appointed as a Social Worker or have applied to register with the Social Care Council. For Social Worker/Care Manager positions where non social worker qualifications are accepted, registration is not required, and you will be appointed as a Care Manager.

We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Job Description and Person Specification