At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to support Foster Families and improve outcomes for children in care.
- Company: Bradford Children and Families Trust, dedicated to making a difference in diverse communities.
- Benefits: Generous leave, health support, professional development, and a commitment to work-life balance.
- Other info: Join a National Living Wage employer with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on families while working in a supportive and collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Minimum 4 years experience in social work with relevant qualifications and registration.
The predicted salary is between 52805 - 52805 £ per year.
Team Manager – Fostering Support
Salary: Grade PO6, SCPs 4O - 43 (£49, 764 - £52,805 per annum) Permanent Contract, 37 hours per week, Based at Sir Henry Mitchell House
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography.
You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
About the Role
Foster for Bradford is looking for an experienced and committed individual to lead their Fostering Support team.
This is an exciting opportunity for somebody who has extensive experience in working with Foster Carers and Kinship Carers.
The role will include working creatively and dynamically with colleagues across Health, Education, third sector organisations and Bradford Children and Families Trust to further develop partnership working and to create an improved offer of support for Foster Families.
As a team manager you will work in a professional consultative, supervisory and managerial capacity to a team of multi-disciplinary professionals in order to develop and provide support to Foster Families to improve fostering stability and reduce the number of unplanned moves for children in care.
In partnership with Senior Leaders, Team Managers and Bradford Independent Fostering Association you will be responsible for developing the Fostering support offer across Foster for Bradford to ensure that it meets the specific needs of carers to improve their skills, knowledge and confidence and improve outcomes for children.
Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.
Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
Responsibilities
- Work restoratively with Service Managers, IRO’s, FIRO’s and Managers across BCFT and Foster for Bradford to improve knowledge and practice around fostering stability and preventing disruptions.
- Work alongside Workforce Development Colleagues to create and contribute to training.
- Be responsible for the supervision and appraisal of individual workers.
- Chair multi agency meetings and lead on the development of support plans.
- Routinely quality assure and audit social work case records, assessments, plans and documentation to ensure that practice standards are being met and to support staff development and appraisal.
- Provide critical reflection, challenge and evidence-informed decision-making in complex situations for children, in line with delegated decision-making authority.
- Take part in and contribute to front line practice where necessary.
- Work with BIFCA and carers across the district to ensure that their voice contributes meaningfully to service development.
- Work with HR and LADO colleagues, where necessary, around issues arising in relation to staff attendance, capabilities and conduct.
- To be successful in this role you will need
- Experience Minimum of 4 years appropriate post qualification experience.
- Experience of working with all service user groups and with service users from minority ethnic groups.
- Experience of interpreting and applying the law relating to children and / or to adult services.
- Experience of child protection and childcare work and issues arising including working with Foster and Kinship Carers.
Qualifications
- Dip. SW, CQSW, BA (Hons) Social Work or equivalent professional qualifications.
- Registered with Social Work England (Formerly HCPC) as a qualified Social Worker.
- Working Conditions
Must be able to work evenings and weekends as required by the needs of the service.
Must be able to perform all duties and tasks with reasonable adjustment, where appropriate, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to Disability Provisions.
Benefits
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Retention Payment: You will be eligible for our annual retention payment, paid in 12 monthly instalments. This is non contractual (reviewed annually).
- Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays.
- Excellent Local Government pension.
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave.
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling.
- Professional development and career progression opportunities.
- We are a National Living Wage employer.
- To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Linzi Nicholson via email
- Interviews: W/C Monday 10th August 2026
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
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Contact Details:
Bradford Children and Families Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager – Fostering Support in Bradford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Bradford Children and Families Trust.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Bradford Children and Families Trust!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Bradford Children and Families Trust, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Bradford Children and Families Trust or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager – Fostering Support in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Bradford Children and Families Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Bradford Children and Families Trust! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bradford Children and Families Trust
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
