At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to recruit and assess foster carers for Hackney's children.
- Company: Join Hackney Council, a progressive local authority focused on outstanding outcomes.
- Benefits: Innovative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Other info: Embrace a forward-thinking culture that champions anti-racist and trauma-informed practices.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives through impactful leadership and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Social Work qualification, management experience, and knowledge of fostering legislation required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Connect2Hackney is recruiting on behalf of Hackney Council for an experienced Fostering Recruitment & Assessment Team Manager to lead a dedicated team within the Corporate Parenting Service.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a progressive local authority committed to delivering outstanding outcomes for children and families through its Systemic, Trauma-Informed and Anti-Racist (STAR) practice model.
As Team Manager, you will provide strong leadership and management oversight to the Fostering Recruitment & Assessment Team, ensuring high-quality assessments, effective decision-making, and the successful recruitment of foster carers.
You will drive practice excellence, support staff development, oversee performance and quality assurance, and work collaboratively with partners across children's services to achieve the best possible outcomes for Hackney's children.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage a team of social work professionals, fostering practitioners and support staff.
- Oversee fostering recruitment, assessment and approval processes to ensure timely and high-quality practice.
- Provide reflective supervision, performance management and professional development to staff.
- Ensure compliance with fostering regulations, childcare legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding procedures.
- Drive quality assurance, audit activity and continuous service improvement.
- Lead on multi-agency partnership working to support children, carers and families.
- Champion Hackney's STAR practice model, embedding anti-racist, trauma-informed and systemic approaches across the service.
About You
To be successful, you will have
- Social Work qualification and current Social Work England registration.
- Significant post-qualified experience within children's social care and fostering services.
- Proven management experience, including supervision and leadership of social work teams.
- Strong knowledge of fostering legislation, statutory guidance and safeguarding practices.
- Experience of quality assurance, auditing and service improvement.
- A commitment to anti-racist, child-centred and trauma-informed practice.
Hackney offers a forward-thinking environment where innovation, learning and professional development are actively encouraged.
This role would suit an experienced Team Manager or Assistant Team Manager ready to lead a high-performing fostering service and make a lasting impact on the lives of children and young people.
Fostering Recruitment Team Manager in London employer: Connect2Hackney
Hackney Education is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional development of its staff while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture. As an Early Years/Child Care Trainer, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's education in Hackney, supported by a dedicated team and access to continuous training and resources. Join us to be part of a community that values diversity, inclusion, and the growth of every individual.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering Recruitment Team Manager in London
✨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 Connect2Hackney.
✨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 Connect2Hackney!
✨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 Connect2Hackney, 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 Connect2Hackney 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 Fostering Recruitment Team Manager in London
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 Connect2Hackney:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Connect2Hackney! 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 Connect2Hackney
✨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.
