Children's Team Manager - Kinship Support & Private Fostering
- Devon
- Full Time
- £51,356 - £55,604 p.a
12 month Secondment/Fixed-term Maternity cover.
We are looking for a dedicated and motivated manager to lead our Kinship & Special Guardianship Order Support and Private Fostering team.
As manager, you will oversee the provision of support services for kinship carers and private fostering assessments, ensuring that children and young people in these arrangements receive high quality support. Your leadership will be essential in managing service delivery, implementing development of the team, and ensuring statutory duties are undertaken.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the SGO Support team and the Private Fostering team, overseeing day to day support and assessments.
- Ensure the provision of high quality support services for kinship carers, SGO families, and private fostering arrangements.
- Manage a team of social workers and family practitioners.
- Work closely with the social work teams, families, carers, and multi agency partners to ensure children's needs are met and that support services are accessible.
- Oversee assessments of needs and support plans for carers and families.
- Manage resources and budgets effectively.
About you
Advocating for the children and young people of Devon, you will model social work practice that is of a high standard and in line with statutory obligations. You will champion restorative practice and encourage a collaborative culture, where opportunities for reflection and learning are supported.
You will deliver on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring to unqualified/alternatively qualified staff, students, and less experienced social workers. You will evidence how pausing and reflecting can enable us to achieve the best possible outcomes for our children, young people, and their families.
Your skills and experience will include:
- A social work qualification and registration with Social Work England
- Significant experience working in children's services, with a focus on fostering, kinship care, or special guardianship.
- Proven leadership and management experience, ideally within a local authority or related setting.
- Strong knowledge of the legal framework surrounding kinship care, SGOs, and private fostering.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem solving skills.
- Experience in managing budgets and resources effectively.
- A high-level of written and verbal communication skills*
- The ability to build effective professional relationships with children, families, and other professionals
- Knowledge and understanding of the legislation, models, and theories relevant to children’s social work
- Exceptional recording and planning skills
- A valid UK driving licence and access to a car*
* Exceptions may apply under the Equality Act
Working in Children’s Social Care in Devon
Devon County Council is currently on an ambitious journey of cultural change. We're continuing to embed restorative practice and relational ways of working and we believe that for most, the family home is the best place for children to live and thrive.
We are extremely proud of our Children’s Social Care workforce and what they have achieved (and will continue to achieve) for children and families throughout Devon.
We offer some fantastic employee benefits, including:
- Generous annual leave, with an option to purchase more
- Free onsite parking
- Flexible working opportunities and promotion of a healthy work-life balance, including working from home where possible – Please visit Happy to Talk Flexible Working for more information
- Employee Assistance for the times you may need some support and a variety of employee well-being services
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme
- Discounts at over 900 national & local high street retailers through our benefits platform
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric Vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
For more information please visit our Working for Devon page.
For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Service Manager Herdaypal Johal - herdaypal.johal@devon.gov.uk
This advert closes on 15 February 2026. Please note that if a sufficient number of applications are received prior to this date, the advert may close early so apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Internal Applicants: If you are an existing DCC employee, please use your iTrent Employee Self Service (ESS) details to log in and apply.
Please note: At this time we are only accepting applications from candidates who are currently residing in the UK, and are unable to consider overseas applications.
Additional Information
- This role requires a DBS disclosure.
- This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
- DCC embraces the positive benefits of a diverse workforce and is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and safe. We welcome applications from people who share our commitment to stop discrimination, challenge inequality and promote diversity across Devon. More information can be found on our Equality and Diversity webpages.
- Happy to Talk Flexible Working The Council offers flexible working arrangements in terms of when and where people work e.g. hybrid working, part-time, condensed hours etc.
REQ009188 - Children's Social Care
Job Details
- OrganisationDevon County Council
- Work LocationDevon
- Work Postcode
TBC by candidate on appointment - Countywide service
- Reference
REQ009188
- Occupational GroupSocial Care & Health
- Salary Details
£51,356 - £55,604 p.a
- Job TermFixedSecondment
- Appointment TypeFull Time
- Hours
37 hours per week
- Closing Date
15/02/2026
- DBS Check Required
Yes