Fostering Team Leader

Royal Greenwich Fostering Service is a vibrant and exciting place to work. We are an innovative Fostering Service that is providing the best possible care to our Children. We take pride in the quality of service we offer and want you to come and join us and take the service to the next level.

If you have a unique blend of skills and experience then join us in achieving this goal, as we are currently seeking to recruit an inspirational and dynamic Fostering Team Leader.

We are looking for someone with a social work qualification and management experience ideally at a Team Leader position, and with experience of direct social work practice in fostering. The successful candidate will have responsibility to lead and continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of a team in the Fostering Service carrying out a range of responsibilities including leading recruitment, assessment, supervision, support, review and monitoring of foster carers.  You will also chair placement stability and disruption meetings, act as panel advisor, chair the partnership meetings with Greenwich Foster Care Association and lead on fostering events.

You will need a good knowledge and understanding of the relevant legislation and guidance which governs Children’s Social Care and Fostering Services.

The role includes:

• Providing regular, professional and effective supervision to social workers and related fostering professionals.
• Overseeing assessments of prospective foster carers.
• Approving Annual Reviews of Foster Carers.
• Financial monitoring and budgetary control.
• Ensuring children in Private Fostering Arrangements are safeguarded and needs appropriately met.
• A good working knowledge of SharePoint, word processing software, spreadsheets and ICT systems.
• Ability to prepare thorough & timely reports.
• Supporting the innovative Mockingbird family model
• Promoting the continuous professional development of Foster Carers.
• An expectation of some evening and occasional weekend working.
• Working as part of a leadership team to contribute to the development and quality assurance of Fostering Service best practice.
• Covering for the Team Leader of Kinship when required

In return, we can offer you professional supervision, good terms and conditions, career development and a welcoming supportive team environment and integration in the wider Permanence Service alongside childcare teams.

In addition to our general Royal Greenwich Benefits Package, you will also receive: 

• • • Rota days equating to an additional 10 days off per year;
    • Ongoing professional development, including a minimum 50 hours protected professional development each year;
    • Small teams allowing more direct contact with and supervision of your staff;
    • Excellent support from a highly skilled Service Leader;
    • Travel costs reimbursement worth £1k+, OR Essential car user parking (free parking close to the workplace, worth £800+);
    • Royal Greenwich Keyworker housing (after being employed for six months and subject to application and meeting criteria).

Our team is currently working to a hybrid model, 3 days being office based.  We’re also a family friendly, inclusive employer, committed to supporting flexible working – we’re therefore open to discuss other flexible working options.

If you have the skills, knowledge and confidence, including the passion that we are looking for, we would welcome your application.

Closing date:  10th of July 2024

For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Jacqueline Lawrence;    Jacqui.Lawrence@royalgreenwich.gov.uk     020 89213257   

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.