Job Introduction
Team Manager – Fostering Support
Salary: Grade PO6, SCPs 4O - 43 (£49, 764 - £52,805 per annum)
Permanent Contract, 37 hours per week, Based at Sir Henry Mitchell House
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
We are fully committed to equal opportunities and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
About the Role
Foster for Bradford is looking for an experienced and committed individual to lead their Fostering Support team. This is an exciting opportunity for somebody who has extensive experience in working with Foster Carers and Kinship Carers. The role will include working creatively and dynamically with colleagues across Health, Education, third sector organisations and Bradford Children and Families Trust to further develop partnership working and to create an improved offer of support for Foster Families.
As a team manager you will work in a professional consultative, supervisory and managerial capacity to a team of multi-disciplinary professionals in order to develop and provide support to Foster Families to improve fostering stability and reduce the number of unplanned moves for children in care. In partnership with Senior Leaders, Team Managers and Bradford Independent Fostering Association you will be responsible for developing the Fostering support offer across Foster for Bradford to ensure that it meets the specific needs of carers to improve their skills, knowledge and confidence and improve outcomes for children.
Our strategic vision and values
Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
You’ll also:
- Work restoratively with Service Managers, IRO’s, FIRO’s and Managers across BCFT and Foster for Bradford to improve knowledge and practice around fostering stability and preventing disruptions.
- Work alongside Workforce Development Colleagues to create and contribute to training.
- Be responsible for the supervision and appraisal of individual workers
- Chair multi agency meetings and lead on the development of support plans
- Routinely quality assure and audit social work case records, assessments, plans and documentation to ensure that practice standards are being met and to support staff development and appraisal.
- Provide critical reflection, challenge and evidence-informed decision-making in complex situations for children, in line with delegated decision-making authority.
- Take part in and contribute to front line practice where necessary
- Work with BIFCA and carers across the district to ensure that their voice contributes meaningfully to service development
- Work with HR and LADO colleagues, where necessary, around issues arising in relation to staff attendance, capabilities and conduct.
To be successful in this role you will need:
Experience
- Minimum of 4 years appropriate post qualification experience.
- Experience of working with all service user groups and with service users from minority ethnic groups
- Experience of interpreting and applying the law relating to children and / or to adult services.
- Experience of child protection and childcare work and issues arising including working with Foster and Kinship Carers
Qualifications
- Dip.SW, CQSW, BA (Hons) Social Work or equivalent professional qualifications
- Registered with Social Work England (Formerly HCPC) as a qualified Social Worker
- Working Conditions
- Must be able to work evenings and weekends as required by the needs of the service.
- Must be able to perform all duties and tasks with reasonable adjustment, where appropriate, in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to Disability Provisions.
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Retention Payment: You will be eligible for our annual retention payment, paid in 12 monthly instalments. This is non contractual (reviewed annually)
- Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays
- Excellent Local Government pension
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
- we are a National Living Wage employer
For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Linzi Nicholson via email Linzi.Nicholson@bradfordcft.org.uk
Closing Date: Sunday 2nd August 2026
Interviews: W/C Monday 10th August 2026
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
