Southend-on-Sea City Council Team Manager – Fostering Support Team Salary: £53,460–£58,959 £7,500 R&R payment after 3 years and 1 day | Permanent | Full-time Intro paragraph: Southend-on-Sea City Council is seeking an experienced Team Manager – Fostering Support Team to lead post-approval fostering support services, ensuring foster carers and children receive high-quality, compliant and responsive support. What’s on Offer Permanent management role within Children & Learning Specialist Services Salary range of £53,460–£58,959 £7,500 recruitment and retention payment after 3 years and 1 day Opportunities for continued professional and leadership development Supportive senior management and collaborative working environmentKey Responsibilities Provide operational leadership for post-approval fostering support services Manage a fostering team including Advanced Practitioners, supervising social workers and support staff Set service direction and ensure effective delivery within policy and procedural frameworks Deliver high-quality supervision, appraisals and performance management, identifying training needs Ensure compliance with Fostering National Minimum Standards, legislation and statutory guidance Monitor performance, quality and outcomes, embedding continuous improvement Oversee complex fostering cases where required and support care planning for children looked after Provide specialist fostering advice to panels, including the Fostering Panel Work collaboratively across the department and with partner agencies Manage complaints effectively and escalate where appropriate Oversee team budgets and authorise expenditure within agreed limits Chair meetings, conferences and reviews, ensuring children’s needs remain central Contribute to senior management decision-making and deputise for the Service Manager when required As Team Manager – Fostering Support Team, ensure services align with council objectives and deliver positive outcomesRequirements Recognised social work qualification (CQSW, DipSW, CSS or equivalent) with current professional registration Minimum 4 years’ post-qualifying statutory experience in children’s services Proven experience working as an Advanced Practitioner within fostering services Demonstrable experience delivering fostering support services post-approval Strong knowledge of fostering legislation, National Minimum Standards and safeguarding practice Experience supervising staff and contributing to service development Ability to manage performance, budgets and resources effectively Excellent communication, leadership and decision-making skills The Team Manager – Fostering Support Team must be able to travel within and outside the borough as requiredWhy Ackerman Pierce? Dedicated permanent recruitment support Interview and offer guidance Long-term career advice Ready to Apply? Contact Phil at Ackerman Pierce on (phone number removed) or email (url removed) to apply or find out more