Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: Grade J. Scale 40 - £51,356 to Scale 43 - £54,495 with a professional bar at Scale 41 - £52,413

Hours: 36 hours per week

Base Location: Ashton Old Library, Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7SG

Assessment Date: To be arranged

The Role

In Tameside we want to achieve the best outcomes for our looked after children and care leavers. In order to achieve this we are looking for an enthusiastic and positive Team Manager to join our fostering service. A number of exciting changes and developments are taking place within our fostering service as we are committed to expanding the number of internal foster carers in line with the rise in the number of children who need to be cared for by the local authority.

In this role, you will be responsible for managing and supporting Senior Practitioners and Supervising Social Workers, whilst supporting the necessary changes within the service in order to offer an excellent support package to our existing carers and to encourage new carers to work for Tameside. Our service is also absolutely committed to the 7 corporate parenting principles and the successful candidate will continue to ensure these principles are embedded across our service delivery and that the voice of the child and young person is at the centre of all our planning processes.

You will need to ensure that the team are working towards our vision to providing an enhanced level of support and training to our carers and are able to work flexibly and creatively in order to achieve this. You will need to be committed to providing the best possible outcomes for children and to ensure that our foster carers offer an excellent standard of care.

About you

If you are an enthusiastic, qualified Social Worker, have substantial previous work experience of working within children's social care, have management or supervisory experience and have good knowledge of fostering regulations then we would encourage you to apply.

About Us

Message from Jill Colbert, Director of Children’s Services

“I joined the council at the beginning of 2025 and was instantly charmed by the warmth, openness, and energy of colleagues.

“I came to Tameside for one reason; because I know we can do fantastic things for our families here.

“We’re a children’s service on a significant improvement journey. We know what needs to be different for our children and families and we’re ambitious to deliver that change.

“We have a growing range of specialist services for children, where you can test and grow your skills and practice. We have a Social Work Academy that is led by people who bring passion to learning and who know that the DCS’ of the future are right in front of them. We are working on our progression pathways so that staying in Tameside is rewarded and recognised. We have investment in innovation and improvement from the council so that we can grow services and support for families that we can sustain, from family hubs through to complex safeguarding.

“I am so certain that we can build a proud, inclusive and safe climate for great practice to flourish in Tameside. I’d love you to join me on the journey here at Team Tameside.”

At Tameside, we are committed to ensuring all our Citizens lead long, fulfilling and healthy lives. We are committed to supporting economic growth, providing high quality health and care services, protecting our most vulnerable and creating strong and supportive, self-sufficient communities.

We recognise that our people drive our success and enable the organisation to deliver on its vision, purpose and priorities, and that our people are our most important resource and asset. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours, and are at the heart of everything that we do; and we understand that how we do things is just as important as what we do. We pride ourselves on living by our STRIVE values of Support, Trust, Respect, Integrity, Value Diversity and Engage. Our values underpin our practice and behaviours and are at the heart of everything that we do. How we do things are just as important as what we do.

Our employees’ skills, experience and knowledge are essential to our success along with their happiness, wellbeing, commitment, enthusiasm and motivation to be the best they can be.

This position is subject to Enhanced with Barred List Disclosure Procedures.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff to share this commitment.

** This post is classified as being in a professional job category. As such the grade for the job has a professional grade development bar which employees can progress through subject to meeting the following criteria:

1. Relevant professional qualification for the job role at Level 6 or above AND a management qualification, AND

2. Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in the role, AND

3. Maintained membership of a regulated body where this is a requirement to practice in the role where applicable, AND

4. Professional standards practised to the highest expected level.

If you have completed the GM Elevate (Leadership Development) Programme, please indicate this within the ‘About You’ or ‘Supporting Statement’ section of your application.

Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.

We are committed to developing a culture which respects individuals, appreciates difference and allows everyone regardless of background to reach their full potential. We are proud to be an accredited disability confident employer. Reasonable Adjustments will be considered in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the Job Role Criteria.

Our rewards and benefits package can be viewed here

We have made a commitment to improve the employment opportunities for people with disabilities, care leavers, carers, and ex-military personnel. Please click here for more information on our guaranteed assessment scheme.

For further information about this role please contact the recruiting manager on 0161 342 4318 or laura.smith4@tameside.gov.uk