Team Manager | Fostering Assessment Team

hours per week, | International Sponsorship: This role is not open to international sponsorshipLead Outstanding Practice. Inspire Positive Change.Are you an experienced and motivating social worker ready to take the next step in your career?Lancashire County Council is seeking a passionate and ambitious Team Manager to lead one of our successful Fostering Assessment Teams in Lancashire. This is an exciting opportunity to join a service that is committed to strengths-based practice, relational social work, and delivering outstanding outcomes for children and families.As Team Manager, you will lead a dedicated team within our innovative Fostering Assessment Service, creating the conditions for excellent practice, strong professional development, and finding the right homes for children in our care through fostering assessments. The work will predominantly focus on assessments of Kinship arrangements, but could include oversight for fostering assessments with prospective or existing
mainstream foster carer. About the RoleYou will play a pivotal leadership role, providing direction, support, and challenge to a team of skilled practitioners while ensuring children remain at the centre of everything we do.Key responsibilities include:Leading and developing a high-performing Fostering Assessment Team.Promoting high-quality, strengths-based fostering assessments.Supporting applicants through assessment to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families.Creating a positive, reflective, and learning-focused team culture.Driving practice excellence through coaching, supervision, and professional development.Working collaboratively with partners to safeguard children and ensure we find the right homes for children at the right time.Ensuring effective performance management and service delivery.Why Join Lancashire?You'll be joining an established Fostering Service in Lancashire where senior leaders are committed to investing in staff, supporting professional
growth, and enabling excellent social work practice.As the fourth largest local authority in England and the largest in the North, Lancashire County Council serves over 1.2 million residents and delivers innovative services that make a real difference to people's lives.We understand that exceptional outcomes for children are achieved when practitioners feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work. That's why we have created a positive culture where staff wellbeing, learning, and development are prioritised.What We OfferA Strong Learning CultureOur renowned Social Work Academy was one of the first established by a local authority and continues to be a cornerstone of our commitment to professional development.Benefits include:Comprehensive induction programmes for new starters.Ongoing training and development opportunities.Support from experienced Advanced Practitioners.Access to the latest research and evidence-informed practice.Continuous opportunities to enhance
leadership and management skills.Career DevelopmentAs a large and progressive local authority, we offer:Excellent progression opportunities.Access to specialist training and qualifications.Leadership development programmes.Opportunities to influence and shape service delivery.Flexible and Supportive WorkingWe are committed to helping our staff thrive by providing:Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.Equipment to work effectively from home.Strong management support.A focus on staff wellbeing.Practitioner forums and professional networks to collaborate and share best practice.What We're Looking ForWe are seeking an experienced social work leader who:Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and families.Has experience of working with children and families, and ideally an insight or experience in working in fosteringDemonstrates strong leadership and management capability.Can inspire, develop, and motivate teams.Is, committed to strengths-based and