Locum Safeguarding ATM/DTM (Assistant Team Manager / Deputy Team Manager)

Team Manager – Fostering

Brief Job Overview

 
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Team Manager to lead the Fostering Team at the London Borough of Havering. This locum role requires a proven background in fostering and leadership within children’s social care. You will oversee a team delivering safe, high-quality fostering services that support children, young people, and foster families in achieving the best possible outcomes. The role offers a hybrid working model, combining both office-based and remote work.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Fostering Team, providing professional supervision, guidance, and performance oversight to social workers and support staff.
• Oversee a caseload of complex and challenging fostering cases, ensuring statutory requirements and good practice standards are consistently met.
• Support the Group Manager in maintaining and developing high-quality service delivery across the fostering provision.
• Represent the service in developing key service provision or strategic initiatives, contributing to the ongoing improvement of fostering services within the borough.
• Manage and oversee staff to ensure the effective delivery of services to children, young people, and foster carers in line with relevant legislation, guidance, and policies.
• Monitor and ensure the accuracy of recording on relevant systems and databases, promoting clear documentation that captures and evidences the voice of the child.
• Foster a culture of professional growth, reflective supervision, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to strengthen the fostering service and promote placement stability.

About You

 
You are an experienced and confident leader with proven fostering experience and an in-depth understanding of the challenges and rewards of managing fostering services. You demonstrate sound decision-making, excellent communication, and the ability to inspire a team to deliver outstanding outcomes for children and young people. Your approach is professional, supportive, and child-focused, with a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Qualified Social Worker registered with Social Work England.
• Proven experience within a Fostering Team at management or senior practitioner level.
• Comprehensive understanding of fostering legislation, regulations, and national minimum standards.
• Ability to manage complex and challenging caseloads while supporting and developing staff performance.
• Strong organisational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Experience in representing the service at internal and external strategy and development meetings.
• Commitment to hybrid working and flexible service delivery.

Contract & Salary

• Job Type: Locum
• Location: London Borough of Havering
• Team: Fostering
• Contract Length: Ongoing
• Salary: Negotiable, dependent on experience
• Working Pattern: Hybrid – office-based and remote working
• Working Hours: Full-time

How to Apply

 
If you are an experienced Team Manager with a strong background in fostering and a passion for supporting children and families, we’d love to hear from you.  
Please apply using the form on the page.