Team Manager (Fostering)

ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT KINSHIP CARE?

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to work within one of our Kinship Assessment Teams for a Team Manager!

Here at Staffordshire we recognise the need for specialist Kinship assessment and support, it is our commitment as a team to reduce the number of looked after children in our care by not only alleviating any barriers that may prevent a child from being able to remain in their family & friends’ network but also to a carer in progressing to a permanence route which best suits their family life, but most importantly is in a child’s best interest.

Our team are responsible for assessing kinship carers in Staffordshire, across the U.K and sometimes abroad undertaking various assessments including Viability Assessment, Connected Persons (All Orders) Assessments, and Special Guardianship Reports for Court. Our team also supports and supervises Kinship foster carers during the period they are temporarily and newly approved. 

We are a stable team that has the benefit of experienced staff who are both approachable and supportive. 

Main Responsibilities

You will:

• Lead on the delivery of the statutory responsibilities of the Authority relating to children’s safeguarding (in the broadest sense) under the Children and Families Act 2017 and it’s contextual framework through Working Together 2015 and other relevant legislation e.g. Education Act 1996, Children Act 1989, Adoption & Children Act 2006 etc 4 2.
• Provide the highest level of professional leadership, motivation and direction to a team of qualified social workers, family practitioners and others to ensure that the service provided is effective and meets the needs of children, young people and their families.
• Lead a team of practitioners and manage the day to day practice and the safe allocation of work and to ensure these are progressed in accordance with the statutory frameworks (as applicable).
• Ensure that effective professional practice and supervision is delivered throughout the team following the principles of the knowledge and skills statements for social workers and in adherence with Children and Social Work Act 2017.
• Identify and embed service improvements through audits, quality assurance, identifying training, benchmarking and the interpretation and dissemination of legislation.
• Investigate and respond to complaints, MP enquiries and complex case enquiries e.g. involvement in serious case reviews/learning reviews where appropriate.
• Participate and work in partnership through relevant boards, e.g. LSCB, partnership committees, locality arrangements and other meetings as necessary.
• Maintain, develop and contribute to internal, local, regional, national and multi-agency partnerships to influence, support and maintain best practice.
• Appropriately share information with partners and stakeholders to meet legal requirements and support the effective provision of the safeguarding (in the broadest sense) of children and young people.
• Ensure effective management and use of all available resource, staff and financial are regulatory compliant and in accordance with SCC’s guidance.

The Ideal Candidate

You will:

• hold a professional Social Work qualification and be registered with Social Work England. 
• have experience of supervising others either as a Practice Educator or previous management experience with an ability to lead and motivate others. 
• have a knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation in relation to the children’s’ social care system and an understanding of Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards.
• Previous experience of management budgets would be of benefit however support can be provided.
• Experience in working in partnership with organisations is key as are excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to support others in their risk assessment and an ability to make defensible, safe decisions. 
• An ability to problem solve is essential in this role given the often competing demands and deadlines.
• An approach to leading others utilising restorative practice principles is also essential.

Interviews will be held week beginning 9th December 2024.

For an informal chat about the role please contact Nicola Hope, Head of Service Adoption and Kinship at: nicola.hope@staffordshire.gov.uk

Our Recruitment Process: We anonymise applications during shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Please complete your application fully, especially the supporting statement, to highlight what you’ll bring to the role.

About Staffordshire County Council

We are no ordinary county council:

Our Values:

The core of who we are as an organisation. Just like we all have personal values that shape our thoughts and behaviour, organisational values drive how we think and act collectively.

Our values were created and shaped by colleague feedback and national best practice and they sit at the heart of People Strategy:

We have a real sense of community spirit that brings our people together. This feeling of belonging means we are all connected to what we do and take pride in the difference we make every day for Staffordshire people. We are ambitious and our sights are set firmly on a better future.

We look forward and race ahead - that goes for your career too. 

Our benefits:

We recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive working environment where employees can achieve their full potential and achieve a healthy work-life balance. 

In addition to your salary, as a member of staff, you will have access to Our rewards and benefits - Careers at Staffordshire

Our recruitment process:

As an Authority we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Staffordshire County Council is an equal opportunities organisation and Disability Confident employer. We encourage applications from all background and communities

As part of our commitment as a Disability Confident employer, a Gold Award Armed Forces employer and our commitment to supporting care leavers - we offer a guaranteed interview as long as your application meets the minimum criteria for the post. 

As you’ll know safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our children and young people/vulnerable adults is important to us and that’s why this position is subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If applicable you should disclose details of unspent and unfiltered spent reprimands, formal warnings, cautions and convictions in your application form.