Team Manager - Fostering Kinship & Recruitment

Team Manager: Fostering kinship & Recruitment Team
Location: Southend-on-Sea, Essex - Hybrid wrking available - on site 2 days a week minimum
Salary: £53,460 – £58,959 per annum
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week

About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and dynamic leader to join the Children’s Services at Southend on Sea Borough Council as a Team Manager for the Fostering Team.
In this pivotal role, you will oversee the day-to-day delivery of kinship and fostering recruitment processes, ensuring high standards of practice, statutory compliance, and excellent outcomes for children and young people. You will lead a dedicated team of Advanced Practitioners, Supervising Social Workers, and Support Workers, providing professional supervision, performance management, and strategic direction.
This role offers the chance to shape fostering services across Southend, directly impacting the lives of children and families.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the fostering service, setting operational direction within policy and procedural frameworks.
• Implement service strategy in line with Council objectives.
• Provide formal supervision, staff appraisals, and identify training needs.
• Ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including National Minimum Standards and Fostering Regulations.
• Monitor performance and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Oversee recruitment, assessment, training, and supervision of foster and kinship carers.
• Contribute to care planning for children looked after or in need of protection.
• Manage complex and high-risk cases where required.
• Liaise with partner agencies and escalate issues appropriately.
• Manage team budgets and authorise expenditure within agreed limits.
• Produce reports, performance analysis, and management information.
• Act as a member of the group management team, supporting strategic decisions and policy development.
• Chair meetings, conferences, and reviews with a child-focused, multi-disciplinary approach.
• Deputise for the Service Manager as needed.

About You
We are looking for a motivated and experienced social work professional who:

• Holds a recognised Social Work qualification and is registered with Social Work England.
• Has 4 years experience within fostering services, including recruitment and assessment of foster and kinship carers.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, supervision, and performance management skills.
• Has experience managing complex cases and ensuring statutory compliance.
• Is confident in service development, partnership working, and budget management.
• Is committed to achieving excellent outcomes for children and young people.

Why apply?

• Competitive salary (£53,460 – £58,959).
• Senior leadership opportunity within a forward-thinking local authority.
• Opportunity to shape and develop fostering services that make a real difference.
• Supportive management structure and collaborative working culture.

If you’re ready to lead a passionate team and make a lasting impact on children and families in Southend, i want to hear from you. You can send me your most recent CV to Nicola.mansfield@servicecare.org.uk or contact me directly to learn more on 01772 208964.