At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team to support foster families and improve outcomes for children.
- Company: Join an Outstanding not-for-profit fostering agency with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive work-life balance.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young people.
- Qualifications: Experience in fostering, team management, and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 26943 - 29024 £ per year.
This is an exciting part‑time job share opportunity for an experienced manager to join our Outstanding fostering agency and help shape the future of our fostering service across the North East. As Team Manager, you will play a key role in supporting foster families and improving outcomes for children and young people. This job share opportunity is available to work alongside our current Team Manager, based in our Middlesbrough office. There will be a requirement to travel to our other Team Fostering offices in the North East, Yorkshire & East Midlands and to attend face to face meetings when necessary.
As Team Manager you will be responsible for managing the provision and development of our fostering service in the Northeast region and successfully support and promote new opportunities to enhance our Agency.
Key responsibilities include:
- Providing effective leadership, supervision and support to a team of Supervising Social Workers and other social work staff, promoting high standards of practice and professional development.
- Managing the delivery of a high-quality fostering service, ensuring compliance with legislation, National Minimum Standards, agency policies and regulatory requirements.
- Overseeing the assessment, approval and ongoing support of foster carers, including quality assurance of Form F assessments and fostering panel processes.
- Contributing to the strategic development of the agency as a member of the Regional Management Team, supporting service improvement, placement stability and positive outcomes for children and young people.
- Liaising with Ofsted and key partners, participating in the duty rota, and ensuring the continued delivery of a responsive and effective fostering service.
We are looking for a passionate and experienced leader, with a drive to improve outcomes for children and young people. We would welcome applications from skilled social work professionals with experience in fostering and team management who can demonstrate the following:
- Extensive knowledge of fostering legislation, safeguarding, National Minimum Standards and fostering practice.
- Experience of managing and supervising social work staff within a fostering or children’s social care setting.
- Strong leadership, decision-making and organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and inspire high performance.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively with carers, colleagues, partner agencies and regulatory bodies.
- A commitment to continuous improvement and delivering outstanding outcomes for children, young people and foster families.
Team Fostering is an ethical not for profit fostering agency with a strong reputation and track record for providing high quality, fostering placements for looked after children. We pride ourselves on our values and our commitment to making positive changes for children and young people. Our Northeast Service was graded as Outstanding by Ofsted in November 2025.
We offer a blend of home and office-based working arrangements, to support a healthy work-life balance for all our staff. Team Fostering offers an exceptional range of employee benefits including:
- Monthly supervision
- Annual appraisal
- 30 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holidays
- A blend of home and office working
- A wide range of flexible working arrangements to support a good work life balance
- Flexi time & TOIL
- Company sick pay scheme
- Pension scheme
- Staff loyalty bonus
- Employee assistance programme
- Generous benefits package including retail discount scheme, salary sacrifice schemes
- Life assurance cover
- GP Helpline
- Learning & development opportunities to support your continuous professional development
Team Fostering are wholly committed to our ongoing investment in professional training and development, health and wellbeing for our staff. We are immensely proud of our recognition as a Real Living Wage Foundation Employer, an Investors in People Employer which we have held since 2006, our accreditation as a Mindful Employer and the achievement of our Better Health Award at Continuing Excellence level. Team Fostering is an equal opportunity and Disability Confident Committed employer that is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging at work. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people. Team Fostering strives to be diverse and inclusive – a place where we can ALL be ourselves. We particularly encourage applications from people who identify as Black, Asian or from a Minority Ethnic background, who are underrepresented within the agency.
This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS Disclosure.
Closing date: 4pm on Monday 7th September 2026
Shortlisting: Week commencing Monday 7th September 2026
Interviews: Tuesday 22nd September 2026
Location: Middlesbrough
Please note if you are shortlisted for interview, we will contact you via the email you have provided. Please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Team Manager employer: North East Combined Authority
Northern Education Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to enhancing the life chances of children and young people. With a strong focus on employee development, we offer comprehensive training programmes and opportunities for career progression across our family of schools. Our supportive work culture, combined with benefits like free flu vaccinations and onsite parking, makes Hetton Academy a rewarding place to work for those passionate about student wellbeing.
Contact Details:
North East Combined Authority Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Manager
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like North East Combined Authority, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at North East Combined Authority. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through North East Combined Authority's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Team Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at North East Combined Authority. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at North East Combined Authority.
How to prepare for a job interview at North East Combined Authority
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with North East Combined Authority.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Team Manager at North East Combined Authority.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show North East Combined Authority that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Team Manager role.