Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us .
Social Work Team Leader - Fostering
Join a team that's officially Outstanding! Achieving for Children's services have now been rated Outstanding by Ofsted in both Richmond and Kingston. Our services are praised for exceptional care and a workforce that puts children at the center of everything we do.
If you want to be part of a team that's setting the standard for excellence, we want to hear from you. To find out more click .
Operational area Kingston and Richmond Primary place of work Guildhall 2, Kingston upon Thames KT1 Appointment type Permanent Business area Children's Social Care Full time/Part time Full-time Salary from £50,085 (SCP36) Salary to £56,376 (SCP42) Hours 36 Estimated Interview date/s TBC Closing Date 05/03/2026 Ref No 2165 Documents
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About the role
As a Social Work Team Leader within the fostering service you will report to the Fostering Branch Manager/ Registered Manager.
In the Team Leader position you will:
2. Support the Fostering Team across the board in a broad collaborative approach with the manager
3. Supervise social workers within the team, this may include a senior social worker
4. Attend meetings on behalf of the fostering service across the agency, chair stability meetings and assist with auditing, reporting and ofsted requirements, and step in to assist the team members they supervise
5. Support peer supervision and support groups for the foster carers
6. Potentially hold cases but this will be significantly reduced compared to supervisors in the team
7. Have a strong understanding of fostering regulations is ideal
The role is creative, supportive and analytical, with the opportunity that you will be well supported and have full access to incredible training opportunities within AfC.
For further information about this role, please contact Natalie Bugeja by email for an informal discussion.
About you
8. Educated to degree level with appropriate professional Social Work qualification and active Social Work England registration
9. Previous experience of a range of supervising social workers in the context of children social care/fostering, preferably 3+ years experience as a senior social worker or team leader
10. Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of Children Act 1989 and 2004, Fostering Regulations and National Minimum Standards; including awareness of current national policy, evidence based research and best practice that affects children’s social care
11. Demonstrated experience in assessment writing including form F, Form C
12. Experience of keeping and maintaining records and producing accurate reports, presentations, written updates to a range of stakeholders
13. Strong analytical, and planning skills for assessing, and reviewing both foster carers and children and young people’s needs, as well as investigating standards of care concerns
14. Experienced in managing an allocated caseload, including complex cases; planning and organising workload to meet statutory timescales and local policy respond appropriately and independently (as appropriate) to unanticipated problems
15. Experienced in providing direct professional social work to children and their families; undertaking regular visits to clients homes, and care establishments
16. Experienced in the use of ICT, Liquid Logic case record management systems, gmail, google share drive and google including applications as well as MS Word
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
17. 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
18. Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
19. Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
20. Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
21. A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
22. A range of staff benefits and discounts
23. An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children. For our social work offer. For our Recruitment Journey,
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.