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- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to support foster carers and improve children's lives.
- Company: Join Herefordshire Council, dedicated to making a difference in children's social work.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, relocation support, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey and make a real impact on children's futures.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification and at least 5 years of experience required.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive team environment with clear career progression.
The predicted salary is between 56356 - 60915 £ per year.
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About The Role
- Contract: Permanent
- Hours: 37
- Salary: HC11 £51,356 - £55,915 (plus £5,000 market rate supplement per year £56,356 - £60,915)
- Welcome payment: £10,000 (see attached guidance)
- Relocation package of up to £10,000 available
Closing date: 6th April 2026
Shortlisting: 9th April 2026
Interviews: 16th April 2026
Introduction
We are looking for a full time Fostering Support Team Manager to join our Fostering Service. This is an exciting time to join the Service. Here in Herefordshire we are on an exciting journey of transformation and we would like you to be part of our next chapter. We are an experienced staff group, working together on the development and delivery of a high quality service. We have made improvements in a short time and the Fostering Support Team Manager is an opportunity to be part of this continual improvement. We are proud of our restorative approach to social work - a way of working that is firmly embedded in our team culture and management style. Collaboration and reflection are at the heart of how we practice: senior managers are always available for guidance and support, especially when navigating complex cases.
The Role
As the Fostering Support Team Manager, you will provide strong leadership and professional oversight to a team of social workers responsible for supporting foster carers and delivering high-quality fostering services. You will offer guidance, direction, and professional supervision to ensure that practice is consistent, reflective, and aligned with statutory requirements and organisational standards. In this role, you will oversee the quality and timeliness of annual reviews, support plans, and ongoing supervision of foster carers. You will ensure that documentation and casework meet regulatory expectations and contribute to positive outcomes for children and young people. You will promote a culture of continuous improvement, providing regular supervision, performance appraisals, and day-to-day management of team members. A thorough and up-to-date understanding of fostering legislation, statutory guidance, and regulatory frameworks is essential. You will be expected to work confidently within a comprehensive statutory context, ensuring all practice complies with legal requirements, safeguarding standards, and best-practice principles. You will need to have a social work qualification (DipSW, CQSW, CSS or equivalent) and current registration with Social Work England. You will have a minimum of 5 years’ post qualifying experience (to include 2 years recent experience of fostering social work). The Service Manager for Fostering will also offer hands on support and mentoring in this role. Herefordshire is on a journey, and we would like you to be part of our next chapter. This is an exciting opportunity to have a genuine impact on the local authority and help improve and protect the children and young people within it.
About You
- We are looking for Social Workers who are:
- Passionate about making a difference for children and families through high-quality assessments and early intervention
- Skilled in analysis, planning, and decision-making, ensuring each child's needs are clearly understood and effectively met
- Committed to working collaboratively, inclusively, and creatively with families and partner agencies
- Resilient, reflective, and confident in managing complex situations and making sound professional judgments
- Able to thrive in a supportive, fast-paced team environment, contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement
- Registered with Social Work England and hold a recognised Social Work qualification (Degree/DipSW/CQSW)
We Offer
- A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme, which includes:
- Team Manager starting salary of 11HC £51,356- £55,915 (plus market supplement of £5,000 per year)
- Relocation packages: support of up to £10,000
- Welcome payment £10,000 for experienced social workers joining our children's teams.
- Pension Scheme Enrolment in the Local Government (LGPS)
- Professional development: protected time and budget to support social workers develop themselves and their careers.
- Career progression: clear pathways to progress
- Generous Annual Leave: 31 days' annual leave (pro rata) plus bank holidays. You can also purchase an additional 10 days per annum
- Flexible working: flexi-time, job-share, part-time hours and, in some instances, home working
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 access to support and counselling
- Payment of professional membership fees
- Pick your perks - our benefits include access to a range of retail, leisure, holiday and health benefits. This includes savings, cash back and discounts.
Why Choose Us?
Herefordshire is a beautiful, historic county on the Welsh border, one of England's most rural and unspoilt areas, with vibrant market towns and a strong sense of community. Our priority is clear: to keep children safe and give them the best start in life. We do this through passionate, dedicated professionals who build strong relationships with children, families, and partners to make a lasting difference. It's an exciting time to join us. We're investing in our people and our relational practice approach, working alongside our improvement partner, Leeds City Council. You'll be supported by experienced managers, continuous professional development, and a genuine team ethos that values collaboration and care. If you're committed to helping children and young people thrive, come and join the journey in Herefordshire - where your work truly matters.
Reasonable Adjustments
Our recruitment process runs in partnership with Hoople Resourcing. If you require any reasonable adjustments or alternative methods for the online application process, please contact the resourcing team by email: resourcing@herefordshire.gov.uk. If you're shortlisted for interview and require any reasonable adjustments, our Children & Young People Recruitment Team will be happy to support you.
Creating an inclusive workplace
We encourage our employees to feel empowered and to use their voices to help embrace diversity, promote inclusivity and shape our organisation. We have eight employee network groups, collectives of colleagues who often share identities, life experiences or cultures and offer support and community. They also play an important role in strengthening the voices of employees at Herefordshire Council. Embedded in the Council's values is a commitment to listen to people's views and needs.
Commitments, Covenants and Statutory Obligations
The following candidates will be interviewed if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for:
- Those who indicate that they have a disability. This is part of our commitment to the "Disability Confident" scheme.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are an Armed Forces Veteran or Reservist. This is part of our pledge to support the Armed Forces Covenant.
- Those who indicate in their application that they are a Herefordshire care leaver. This is part of our commitment to supporting young people leaving our care.
We take our commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults seriously and expect all of our staff, visitors and volunteers to share in this commitment. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & young people and vulnerable adults. If you are offered this position, it will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service enhanced check and further pre-employment checks.
How to apply
To apply for a position, please upload an up-to-date CV and complete the application form demonstrating your experience, skills and abilities for the role. Be sure to include reference to the job description and person specification or role profile! If you are successfully shortlisted, the C&YP Recruitment Team will contact you via email to arrange your interview and/or assessment. They will confirm the date, time and location of your interview, so please keep an eye on your email inbox - check your spam/ junk folder too. Good luck, we're looking forward to meeting you!
Please note: the council is currently unable to offer overseas visa sponsorship for Social Worker roles in Children & Young People. Overseas prospective candidates that require sponsorship to work in the UK should not apply for these roles. We appreciate your interest in Herefordshire Council and would encourage you to consider other opportunities with us that may be open to sponsorship.
Childrens Social Work Manager in Hereford employer: Hoople Ltd
Contact Detail:
Hoople Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Social Work Manager in Hereford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Herefordshire Council on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for the interview process. Personal connections can give you insights that you won't find in the job description.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interview by practising common questions related to social work management. Think about how you would handle specific scenarios, especially those involving complex cases. We want to see your thought process and how you apply your skills in real situations.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for fostering and child welfare during the interview. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference. This role is all about connection, so let your enthusiasm shine through!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your appreciation and keeping you top of mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate your excitement about the role and the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Childrens Social Work Manager in Hereford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Children's Social Work Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in fostering and social work, and don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how you can contribute to our exciting journey!
Showcase Your Passion: In your application, let your passion for making a difference shine through! Share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children and families in your previous roles. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely committed to our mission.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. Use bullet points if necessary to make it easy for us to read. Remember, we’re looking for your skills and experiences that align with the job description!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our team culture there. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hoople Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of fostering legislation and statutory guidance. Brush up on the latest regulations and be ready to discuss how they impact your work. This shows that you're not just qualified, but also genuinely engaged with the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Fostering Support Team Manager, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed complex cases. Highlight your approach to supervision and how you foster a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
This role is all about working collaboratively with families and partner agencies. Be ready to share specific instances where you've worked effectively in a team setting. Discuss how you build relationships and ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to supporting children and young people.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the team's culture, ongoing projects, or the transformation journey Herefordshire is on. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.