Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team of social workers to support vulnerable children and foster families.
- Company: Join Next Step Fostering, an outstanding organization transforming lives since 1996.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 39 days of annual leave, health support, and flexible benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Must be registered with Social Work England and have fostering service experience.
- Other info: Hybrid role with travel across East London; commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 57600 £ per year.
Job Title – Team Manager – Fostering Services
Location: Hybrid role – East London (Wanstead office, 2 days/week)
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Salary: Up to £54,000 (including car allowance, dependent on experience)
Are you a Social worker with management experience of a Fostering Service looking for a hybrid home/office leadership role that impacts on the lives of hundreds of vulnerable children??
At Next Step Fostering, we’ve been transforming the lives of vulnerable children and young people since 1996. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, we support over 115 children through a network of more than 70 dedicated fostering families across Kent, East London, Surrey, Slough, and London boroughs. As part of the National Fostering Group – the UK’s largest independent fostering family our children families and social workers are support by a multi disciplinary team of clinicans who specialise in Developmental Trauma, Attachment disorders and Neurodiversity!
We’re now looking for a passionate and experienced Team Manager to join our team. You\’ll have 4 – 6 Supervising Social Workers as droect reports. They carry a caseload of 12 -13 (Mother and Baby, Sibling groups, UASC, bridging care, respite etc). This is a unique opportunity to lead, inspire, and make a tangible difference in the lives of children and foster families!
About the Role
As a Team Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in supporting our Registered Manager to deliver outstanding services for children, young people, and foster carers. Your responsibilities will include:
- Ensuring compliance with legislative, regulatory, and national minimum standards.
- Leading and developing a team of social workers and support staff.
- Overseeing foster carer recruitment, assessment, and development.
- Managing referrals and placements to ensure the best outcomes for children.
- Contributing to the strategic growth and success of the region through innovative, child-focused projects.
Who We’re Looking For
- Current registration with Social Work England, Social Care Wales, NISCC, or SSSC.
- Recent experience in fostering services and a strong understanding of the regulatory framework.
- Proven leadership or line management experience.
- A track record of achieving performance targets and driving service improvements.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to build strong relationships.
- Flexibility to travel across the region to support growth and development.
Why Join Us?
- At Next Step Fostering, we value our team and are committed to your wellbeing and professional growth. Here’s what we offer:
- Generous Annual Leave: Up to 39 days (including bank holidays, ‘One Moment in Time’ day, and the option to buy extra days).
- Health & Wellbeing Support: Access to mental health services, physical health checks, and our ‘Your Wellbeing Matters’ program.
- Flexible Benefits: Customise your package with our Vista platform, including health insurance, discounts, Cycle to Work schemes, and an Electric Car Purchase Scheme.
- Life Assurance & Pension: Secure your future with our life assurance policy and competitive pension scheme.
- Career Development: Opportunities to grow within the UK’s largest independent fostering family.
We\’d welcome applications from Registered MAnagers, Fostering Team leaders, Service Managers, Advanced Practitioners, Senior Social Workers and experienced Supervising Social Workers (with supervisory experience.)
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all employees to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks.
As an Equal Opportunities employer, we celebrate diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all.
Senior Social Worker employer: National Fostering Group
Contact Detail:
National Fostering Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Social Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarize yourself with the regulatory framework surrounding fostering services in the UK. Understanding the legislative and national minimum standards will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance and quality service delivery.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your leadership experience by preparing specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Be ready to discuss how you inspired your team and achieved performance targets, as this is crucial for the Team Manager role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the fostering sector. Attend relevant workshops or seminars to connect with others in the field. This can provide valuable insights and may even lead to referrals or recommendations for the position.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Next Step Fostering's values and recent initiatives. Being knowledgeable about their mission and current projects will allow you to tailor your conversation during the interview, showing that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Social Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take the time to thoroughly read the job description for the Team Manager position at Next Step Fostering. Understand the key responsibilities and required qualifications, as this will help you tailor your application.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your management experience in fostering services. Provide specific examples of how you've led teams, managed caseloads, and achieved performance targets.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since excellent communication skills are crucial for this role, make sure to demonstrate your written and verbal communication abilities in your application. Use clear and concise language, and consider including examples of successful relationship-building with colleagues or stakeholders.
Tailor Your Cover Letter: Craft a personalized cover letter that reflects your passion for supporting vulnerable children and young people. Mention why you want to work with Next Step Fostering specifically and how your values align with their mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at National Fostering Group
✨Show Your Passion for Fostering
Make sure to express your genuine passion for working with vulnerable children and fostering services. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a difference in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of your leadership experience, especially in managing social workers or teams. Highlight specific situations where you successfully led a team to achieve performance targets or improve service delivery.
✨Understand the Regulatory Framework
Familiarize yourself with the legislative and regulatory standards relevant to fostering services. Be ready to discuss how you ensure compliance and how it impacts the quality of care provided to children.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice your communication skills, both verbal and written. Be prepared to discuss how you build strong relationships with foster carers, children, and other stakeholders, as this is crucial for the role.
