Team Manager, Fostering Services
Job specification
We’re making a real difference to the lives of the children and families we work with in Swindon.
About Us
We have now implemented the Family Safeguarding Model in 2022, a new multi-disciplinary approach that supports a whole-system change to child protection for children up to adolescence, focusing on supporting the needs of children and adults so that children can safely remain within their families. This is a great opportunity to join us now and be part of this pioneering work as we continue to learn from multi agency family work and support more families to look after their children in their families and wider communities.
In addition, we have an established and growing our ASYE programme, linked to our Social Care & Leadership Academy, offering mentoring support, fostering a culture of learning and challenge, manageable caseloads and good quality supervision, as we commit and invest in growing our own talent, as well as our experienced social workers.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to join our friendly social work team led by engaging and supportive senior managers who are striving to continue improving and developing the service. Close supervision is provided to help support our social workers and Managers drive forward children’s care plans
We are looking for a Fostering Team Manager to join our service and play a central role in achieving positive outcomes for children and young people.
As a Fostering Team Manager, you will be responsible for the recruitment, support and supervision of foster carers to ensure safe and resilient placements for Children Looked After.
Acting as panel advisor you will work closely with managers and teams across the service, you will be crucial in improving further our ability to sustain permanent placements for children and drive improvement in permanence care planning for children we care for. In addition to the supervision of the team you will also get involved in chairing other meetings as appropriate.
To be shortlisted you will demonstrate:
- Relevant team management experience or proven experience of supervising and undertaking management and leadership role
- That you are a motivated innovator who is committed to working with multi-cultural communities and collaborating effectively with partners from Education, Adoption and Fostering whilst trying to achieve permanency for our children
- That you are an effective communicator with strong presentation skills.
About You
Your aspirations should be limitless and you will be as determined and passionate about Children’s Services as we are. As a local authority, we continuously drive forward improvements in our services. We want our Social Workers to be part of our transformation, contribute to improving the safeguarding of our children, and we will make sure you have the full support network and training to do it.
Our teams are ambitious and proactive and we are looking for people who will share that ambition and be a part of our journey.
Candidates must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act – for the effective performance of a customer-facing role).
Our commitment to your development
We are dedicated to ensuring that you can progress your continued professional development and access training and learning opportunities linked to the BASW competencies for career progression.
We have an established Social Work & Leadership Academy. The Academy aims to celebrate the best in professional practice in Social Work and Social Care Leadership. The Academy represents an opportunity for us to demonstrate how we support, develop and value the professional disciplines in Social Work and Social Care through a targeted framework of career development and learning opportunities.
Your next package
- Relocation allowance of up to £8,000 (eligibility criteria applies)
- Competitive salaries
- Free car parking at our central Swindon campus and easy commuter links to many locations
Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.
As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.
For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We’ll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we’ll achieve our vision of a prosperous, re-vitalised Swindon together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.
Please see our Vision and Values page for more details
Your next steps
Read the role profile and select the Apply button where you will be redirected to the Swindon Borough Council website to complete our online application process. Clicking the ‘Apply’ button on this job website is not an application, you must register on the Swindon Borough Council website in order to be considered for the role.
For further information about the role please contact Kate Bohan, Service Manager at KBohan@swindon.gov.uk
We will be interviewing successful candidates throughout the campaign and reserve the right to close early, therefore early applications are encouraged.
If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application please email resourcing@swindon.gov.uk