Overview
In this role you lead Barnsley’s Fostering Service, driving recruitment, retention and supervision of in-house foster carers. You will manage supervisory teams and ensure high standards of social work practice to support children in care. You’ll develop and implement strategies to increase sufficiency and explore innovative practice, including initiatives like Mockingbird. You will work with cross-functional partners to enhance outcomes for children and young people and support a culture of continuous improvement.
Pay / Benefits
- flexible working arrangements
- generous annual leave
- IT equipment to support agile working
- professional development / Social Work Career Pathway
- pension scheme
- mileage expenses
Responsibilities
- Supervise and motivate two teams (including Mockingbird, Recruitment, Kinship) and Panel Advisor
- Lead and develop staff with a solution-focused approach
- Oversee recruitment, retention and supervision of in-house foster carers
- Drive the revised sufficiency strategy to increase recruitment to meet children’s needs
- Develop innovative practice approaches and expand programmes like Mockingbird Constellations
- Support effective case management and ensure high standards of Social Work practice for foster carers and children
- Engage with partners, stakeholders and multi-agency teams to improve outcomes
- Participate in supervision, governance and continuous service development
Key requirements
- Significant experience in a fostering service in a management capacity
- Strong leadership and people-management skills
- Proven ability to lead recruitment, retention and supervision of foster carers
- Experience with safeguarding and high-quality social work practice in children in care
- Ability to develop and implement strategies to improve service sufficiency and outcomes
- Communication and stakeholder-engagement skills
- leadership
- solution-focused
- visionary leadership
- program and project management
- stakeholder engagement
- policy development
Service Manager Provider Services (Fostering) | 63,375 - 68,707 in Barnsley employer: Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Barnsley Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong commitment to professional development, the Advanced Practitioner role within the Practice Development Hub offers opportunities for mentoring, training, and collaboration with educational partners, ensuring that staff have the resources they need to excel. Located in Barnsley, the council promotes a culture of teamwork and innovation, making it an ideal place for motivated practitioners to make a meaningful impact in children's social care.
Contact Details:
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council Recruitment Team
