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- Tasks: Lead a team to provide top-notch support for foster carers and children.
- Company: Join Southend-on-Sea City Council, committed to children's welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, £7,500 retention bonus, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and 4 years' experience in children's services required.
- Other info: Supportive environment with opportunities for leadership growth.
The predicted salary is between 53460 - 58959 £ per year.
Southend-on-Sea City Council is seeking an experienced Team Manager – Fostering Support Team to lead post-approval fostering support services, ensuring foster carers and children receive high-quality, compliant and responsive support.
What’s on Offer
- Permanent management role within Children & Learning Specialist Services
- Salary range of £53,460–£58,959
- £7,500 recruitment and retention payment after 3 years and 1 day
- Opportunities for continued professional and leadership development
- Supportive senior management and collaborative working environment
Key Responsibilities
- Provide operational leadership for post-approval fostering support services
- Manage a fostering team including Advanced Practitioners, supervising social workers and support staff
- Set service direction and ensure effective delivery within policy and procedural frameworks
- Deliver high-quality supervision, appraisals and performance management, identifying training needs
- Ensure compliance with Fostering National Minimum Standards, legislation and statutory guidance
- Monitor performance, quality and outcomes, embedding continuous improvement
- Oversee complex fostering cases where required and support care planning for children looked after
- Provide specialist fostering advice to panels, including the Fostering Panel
- Work collaboratively across the department and with partner agencies
- Manage complaints effectively and escalate where appropriate
- Oversee team budgets and authorise expenditure within agreed limits
- Chair meetings, conferences and reviews, ensuring children’s needs remain central
- Contribute to senior management decision-making and deputise for the Service Manager when required
- As Team Manager – Fostering Support Team, ensure services align with council objectives and deliver positive outcomes
Requirements
- Recognised social work qualification (CQSW, DipSW, CSS or equivalent) with current professional registration
- Minimum 4 years’ post-qualifying statutory experience in children’s services
- Proven experience working as an Advanced Practitioner within fostering services
- Demonstrable experience delivering fostering support services post-approval
- Strong knowledge of fostering legislation, National Minimum Standards and safeguarding practice
- Experience supervising staff and contributing to service development
- Ability to manage performance, budgets and resources effectively
- Excellent communication, leadership and decision-making skills
The Team Manager – Fostering Support Team must be able to travel within and outside the borough as required.
Team Manager – Fostering Support Team in Southend-on-Sea employer: Ackerman Pierce Ltd
Contact Detail:
Ackerman Pierce Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager – Fostering Support Team in Southend-on-Sea
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering sector and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the council's values and recent initiatives. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in making a positive impact in the community.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership skills in mock interviews. Get a friend or mentor to throw some tough questions your way, especially around managing teams and complex cases. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream job.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager – Fostering Support Team in Southend-on-Sea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in fostering support services. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Team Manager, leadership is key! Use your written application to demonstrate your experience in managing teams and delivering high-quality supervision. We’re looking for examples that show how you’ve led others to success.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ackerman Pierce Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on fostering legislation and National Minimum Standards. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with the basics, but that you truly understand the framework within which the team operates.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about specific situations where your leadership made a difference, especially in fostering support services. This will help demonstrate your capability to manage and inspire your future team.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle complex fostering cases or manage complaints. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making skills in these scenarios, as they are crucial for the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the council's objectives and how the fostering support team fits into the bigger picture. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.
