Fostering Manager

Fixed term for 2 years

Closing Date: 29/9/2026
Interview Date: 9/10/2026

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.

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

• Manage a high-performing team responsible for assessments, supervision, and support of foster carers and supported lodgings. 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 algin 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 Hub Liaison workers.
• Oversee themes areas 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.

We are seeking:

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 as an advance social worker or experienced manager.
• 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.

This is an ideal role for someone who thrives in a values-led environment, is both reflective and decisive, and is driven by a genuine commitment to delivering the best possible support for children, carers, and families.

• The opportunity to shape and test an innovative approach to early permanence and SGO preparation.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking team environment.
• Professional development opportunities and scope to influence wider service improvements.
• A strong stable team with good relationships and inclusive approach.
• Working within an Good Ofsted rated authority aiming for outstanding.

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.

• Passport/ - You will be required to provide original documentation confirming your right to work in the UK. Successful candidates will also be required to provide proof of address.

• Qualifications/registrations if applicable for the…