As the Team Manager within Hampshire’s Fostering Service, you’ll lead the East Hampshire Fostering Support Team, guiding Social Workers and Support Workers to deliver high-quality, responsive support to foster carers and children. You’ll use your professional expertise and leadership skills to coach, motivate and develop your team, ensuring excellent practice and strong outcomes. Working closely with the Fostering Service Manager, you’ll contribute to service-wide development, sharing learning and delivering training informed by legislation and best practice.

You’ll be part of a service rated Outstanding by Ofsted, joining a collaborative team committed to empowering foster carers and improving the lives of Hampshire’s Children in Care.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Strong knowledge of Fostering Minimum Standards, safeguarding and fostering legislation, and care planning regulations.
• Proven experience in care management and supervising social work practice.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and partnership-building skills.
• Experienced in supporting individuals with workload and performance management.
• Ability to make sound decisions in complex situations and manage competing priorities.
• Must have the right to work in the UK.
• Current driver’s licence and access to a reliable vehicle on a regular basis.

Responsibilities

• Line manage and support a team of Supervising Social Workers and Fostering Support Workers, with a focus on wellbeing, quality of work and performance management.
• Ensure compliance with national care standards and safeguarding policies.
• Take an active role in Fostering Panel meetings and decision‑making related to carer suitability.
• Build strong partnerships with internal Children’s Social Work teams and foster carers across Hampshire to enhance service delivery.
• Manage the complaints process, ensuring clear communication and timely resolution.
• Drive service development and continuous improvement initiatives.

Benefits

• Be part of an Ofsted-rated Outstanding service committed to achieving the best outcomes for children.
• Work in a collaborative, supportive environment with opportunities for professional development.
• Help shape an evolving service that makes a real difference to children and families.
• Access to Health Assured's comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your physical and mental wellbeing, including 24/7 telephone support, a suite of online resources, and legal and financial advice.
• Competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave entitlement, occupational sick pay, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Application Process

• Applicants can expect to hear from us within two weeks of the advertised closing date.
• The post is subject to a Criminal Records Check. References will be requested prior to interview.

About Hampshire County Council

Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.

In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity, unless a Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR) applies.

We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

Contact

For general enquiries, please contact care.careers@hants.gov.uk

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Amy Alexander, Interim Fostering Team Manager, on Amy.Alexander2@hants.gov.uk.