12 month Secondment/Fixed-term Maternity cover.
We are looking for a dedicated and motivated manager to lead our Kinship & Special Guardianship Order Support and Private Fostering team.
As manager, you will oversee the provision of support services for kinship carers and private fostering assessments, ensuring that children and young people in these arrangements receive high quality support. Your leadership will be essential in managing service delivery, implementing development of the team, and ensuring statutory duties are undertaken.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Lead and manage the SGO Support team and the Private Fostering team, overseeing day to day support and assessments.
2. Ensure the provision of high quality support services for kinship carers, SGO families, and private fostering arrangements.
3. Manage a team of social workers and family practitioners.
4. Work closely with the social work teams, families, carers, and multi agency partners to ensure children's needs are met and that support services are accessible.
5. Oversee assessments of needs and support plans for carers and families.
6. Manage resources and budgets effectively.
About you
Advocating for the children and young people of Devon, you will model social work practice that is of a high standard and in line with statutory obligations. You will champion restorative practice and encourage a collaborative culture, where opportunities for reflection and learning are supported.
You will deliver on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring to unqualified/alternatively qualified staff, students, and less experienced social workers. You will evidence how pausing and reflecting can enable us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children, young people, and their families.
Your skills and experience will include:
7. A social work qualification and registration with Social Work England
8. Significant experience working in children's services, with a focus on fostering, kinship care, or special guardianship.
9. Proven leadership and management experience, ideally within a local authority or related setting.
10. Strong knowledge of the legal framework surrounding kinship care, SGOs, and private fostering.
11. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem solving skills.
12. Experience in managing budgets and resources effectively.
13. A high-level of written and verbal communication skills*
14. The ability to build effective professional relationships with children, families, and other professionals
15. Knowledge and understanding of the legislation, models, and theories relevant to children’s social work
16. Exceptional recording and planning skills
17. A valid UK driving licence and access to a car*
* Exceptions may apply under the Equality Act
Working in Children’s Social Care in Devon
Devon County Council is currently on an ambitious journey of cultural change. We're continuing to embed and relational ways of working and we believe that for most, the family home is the best place for children to live and thrive.
We are extremely proud of our Children’s Social Care workforce and what they have achieved (and will continue to achieve) for children and families throughout Devon.
We offer some fantastic employee benefits, including:
18. Generous annual leave, with an option to purchase more
19. Free onsite parking
20. Flexible working opportunities and promotion of a healthy work-life balance, including working from home where possible – Please visit for more information
21. Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee well-being services
22. Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
23. Discounts at over 900 national & local high street retailers through our benefits platform
24. Cycle to work scheme
25. Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme