Team Manager – Fostering Support

Team Manager – Fostering Support (Bradford)

• Position: Team Manager (Fostering Support)

• Partner Agency: Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency

• Client: Bradford Children and Families Trust

• Salary: Grade PO6 (SCPs 40-43), £49,764 - £52,805 per annum + Annual retention payment (paid monthly)

• Hours: Permanent, Full-time (37 hours per week)

• Location: Sir Henry Mitchell House, Bradford (Vibrant, diverse, and culturally rich)

• Closing Date: Sunday 2nd August 2026

• Interviews: Week commencing Monday 10th August 2026

Introduction

At Supportive Bridge Staffing Agency, we are passionate about connecting visionary social work leaders with organizations that put people first. We are incredibly proud to partner with Bradford Children and Families Trust to recruit an experienced and highly committed Team Manager for their Fostering Support Service.

Operating under the Foster for Bradford banner, this service is dedicated to stabilizing foster placements and reducing unplanned moves for children in care. If you are an experienced leader who believes in a restorative, relationship-based approach to corporate parenting, this is an exceptional opportunity to build a world-class support network for foster and kinship families.

About the Role

As the Team Manager for Fostering Support, you will lead a dedicated, multi-disciplinary team of professionals. Your focus will be on elevating the skills, knowledge, and confidence of foster carers and kinship carers across the district.

Through highly collaborative partnership working with Health, Education, the voluntary sector, and the Bradford Independent Fostering Association (BIFCA), you will design and implement a dynamic support offer that directly improves placement stability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team & Practice Leadership: Manage and supervise a multi-disciplinary team, providing reflective supervision, appraisals, and managing performance, capabilities, or conduct in partnership with HR where necessary.

• Placement Stability: Work restoratively with Service Managers, IROs, FIROs, and wider Trust teams to share best practices and prevent placement disruptions.

• Multi-Agency Collaboration: Chair complex multi-agency meetings, coordinate support plans, and collaborate with Workforce Development to design targeted training for carers.

• Quality Assurance: Routinely audit social work case files, assessments, and plans to uphold high practice standards and guide staff development.

• Carer Advocacy: Partner closely with BIFCA and local carers to ensure the foster carer's voice actively shapes future service developments.

• Decision Making: Provide critical reflection, professional challenge, and evidence-informed decision-making in complex child protection and safeguarding scenarios.

What You Will Need to Succeed

We are looking for a resilient, authoritative, and relational social work manager who has a deep understanding of the fostering and kinship sectors.

• Qualifications:

  • Dip.SW, CQSW, BA (Hons) Social Work, or an equivalent professional qualification.

  • Active registration with Social Work England.

• Experience:

  • A minimum of 4 years of post-qualifying social work experience.

  • Proven experience in childcare and child protection, with extensive knowledge of working alongside foster and kinship carers.

  • Strong track record of working with diverse service user groups, including minority ethnic communities.

  • Expert ability to interpret and apply statutory children's legislation.

• Requirements:

  • Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as dictated by the needs of the service.

  • An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

What’s in it for You?

Bradford Children and Families Trust is a National Living Wage employer that deeply invests in its staff. By joining this supportive, forward-thinking team, you will enjoy:

• Financial Incentives: Eligibility for an annual retention payment of £3,000 (paid in 12 monthly instalments).

• Generous Leave: 31 days of annual leave, rising to 34 days with continuous service (plus bank holidays).

• Pension Scheme: Excellent Local Government Pension.

• Work-Life Balance: Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave.

• Health & Wellbeing: Full access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services.

• Professional Development: Abundant training and clear pathways for career progression.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All preferred candidates will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (including the Children’s barred list) and will be required to disclose relevant criminal history prior to interview.