Deputy Manager - Step Forward Fostering in Blyth, North East, Northumberland

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Salary: £44,756 per annum (increasing to £49,729 in 18 months) £750 per annum Homeworking Allowance

Hours: 35 Hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Home-based - Applicants should live in or be close to Leeds & Bradford as they will be required to travel across these areas for home visits to support carers and children. Travel also requires the post holder to attend staff meetings in Yorkshire.

As a not for profit organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and looks to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. We are a homeworking organisation, and we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, available from day one, an extensive wellbeing programme and our benefits package, all curated to nurture a healthy work-life balance for all our employees so they can give an excellent service to our carers and the young people and children we care for.

As a foster care charity, TACT invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means we have been able to invest in unique projects like TACT Connect, our ground-breaking scheme for TACT care-experienced young people and adults, as well as our expanding Education and Health services. All our activities are built on our commitment to becoming a fully trauma-informed organisation, in line with our key values and ethos.

In 2024, TACT became one of the top 5 charities to work for in the UK, placing 5th in the UK Best Companies Work For survey results, and a top 25 mid-sized company to work with across the whole of the UK. 97% of our people feel proud to work with TACT and think that TACT cares about their wellbeing, while 92% of our people would say they love working for TACT.

As the Deputy Manager (Step Forward Fostering), you will be responsible for the development, expansion, carer recruitment and operational management of Step Forward fostering hubs across the regional area. This will involve engaging with and working in partnership with others to deliver a network of hubs across the region that meet children and young people's needs as well as the Local Authority's needs.

If you want to be valued as a professional, be appreciated at work and contribute to better outcomes for the children and young people connected with TACT, apply now.

Overall Duties of the Deputy Manager (Step Forward Fostering) will include:

• Promote the development of Step Forward fostering across the UK.
• Engage with potential funding partners to promote business growth.
• Support the establishment of new operational local Step Forward hubs in other regions.
• Sharing learning, offering advice with others to support business development across TACT.
• Be a member of project groups to develop other types of fostering for children with highest need.
• To be a member of the regional/nations management team and deputise for the Area Manager/Services Manager in their absence.
• Responsible for the regions/nations specialist Step Forward fostering service including management of team members.

TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package, including:

• 31 days paid holiday plus 8 annual bank holidays.
• Progression to salary target rate upon completion of 18 months of service.
• 45p per mile for business travel.
• Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, volunteer days policy).
• Family-friendly policies.
• Homeworking bundle including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
• HelpHand Employee Assistance Programme (including CBT counselling, 24/7 remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions on serious diagnoses).
• An hour a week of live, expert-led activities through the Annual Employee Wellbeing Programme.
• Menopause Policy and free Menopause Clinician Appointments.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme (salary sacrifice).
• Fantastic learning and development opportunities for all roles.

The Deputy Manager (Step Forward Fostering) will be based in Leeds and Bradford, as travel across the region will be required. The successful candidate will also be required to travel to face-to-face meetings in Yorkshire at least once a month, as well as for other occasions, such as training and team wellbeing events.

An Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role and will be processed by TACT on your behalf.

Closing date: Sunday, 15th February 2026

Interview date: Wednesday, 25th February 2026 (via Microsoft Teams)

Safeguarding is everyone's business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work. As part of TACT's commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children. We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT's young people. All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT's safeguarding policies.

We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than advertised if the volume of applications is excessive, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience. TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies, nor the fees associated with them.