Team Manager - Children And Families Fostering - Cmb838E

The advertised salary includes a supplement (JWC) to the base grade of the post. JWC supplements are conditional on the physical demands and /or working conditions of the role.

About this opportunity

The manager is responsible for a team comprising of an Advanced Practitioner, 5 Fostering social workers, a Family Finder, a Family Support Worker and Commissioning Assistant and all the human resource consequences of this. The Team works closely with external commissioning services and all children’s service professionals and providers in supporting carers in caring for children. Fostering panel and the IRO service offer governance of decisions made within the service.

It is important that the team is compliant with Fostering Standards, Statutory Guidances and the policies of Cumberland and Westmorland and Furniss Councils. Carers live in both areas although we provide a single service, however this post needs to engage with support services in both councils which can be challenging.

This team provides home finding through the central team and Family Finder who provides a specialist service for children seeking long term care.  This this service must be available during all working hours and the manager will need to contribute to the day to day working of the team at times. Working out of hours can be required when emergency placements are required.

The manager needs to ensure performance in the team around recruitment, assessments, training provision, reviews, panels and practice standards. A lead roles taken when an allegation is made against a foster carer, there is a requirement to attend meetings and support both workers and carers through a difficult process.

Support is also required when carers are exited from the service at different stages and the manager often needs to take the lead on difficult conversations.

Fostering is primarily a child led service and the manager needs to support fostering workers in providing supervision reflection and advice on therapeutic parenting to carers and enable them to meet the emotional needs of children in their care.

Foster carers will come to the Team Manager with any complaints they have and it is important that these are managed to prevent further escalation. Chairing meetings such as placement endings. There is also a requirement to attend management meetings both within the service and councils, there are also opportunities to contribute to service development.

Appointment to this post is subject to Vetting Checks

What can we offer you!

• Excellent training and development offers
• Flexible working opportunities
• Opportunity to join the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Boost your pension with Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (facilitated by AVC Wise)
• Various perks and discounts schemes, including money off your phone contract and local gyms
• Competitive rates of pay

DBS

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and requires an enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.

Please note this role involves working in regulated activity with Children. It is an offence for people who are barred from working in regulated activity to apply for roles that require them to work unsupervised with Children.

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Options will be discussed with candidates once they have been invited to the interview stage of the process for this specific position, and if you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss.

If you are invited to a virtual interview, this will preferably be undertaken using the Microsoft Teams software, which is currently free for new users, however if there are any issues with accessing this technology, we are happy to discuss alternative arrangements prior to the interviews.

Safer Recruitment

At Cumberland Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and expects all employees, volunteers and the Externally Provided Workforce (EPWs) to share this commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Cumberland Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

Please read the Supporting Information:

Post Specification

Role Profile

To apply please click the Apply Now link below.