Children's Team Manager – Fostering Kinship

About the role

The Children's Team Manager will lead the Connected Persons Team within Rochdale Council’s Fostering Service. You will champion kinship care, ensuring children stay linked to their families while receiving high‑quality support.

Key responsibilities

• Provide operational leadership for social workers conducting Connected Persons, Regulation 24, and viability assessments.
• Ensure assessments are robust, analytical, relationship‑based and meet statutory deadlines.
• Present assessments to fostering panels and oversee quality assurance.
• Manage team involvement in court proceedings and guide complex case decisions.
• Supervise and support Kinship Foster Carers, delivering high‑standard services.
• Allocate work, participate in duty arrangements, and promote reflective practice.

Required profile

• Extensive experience in children’s social care, fostering and kinship care.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, fostering regulations, standards and guidance.
• Proven ability to lead, develop and inspire a multidisciplinary team.
• Resilient, motivated and passionate about family‑led solutions.

Required skills

What we offer

• Opportunity to shape a growing kinship care service.
• Access to specialised training such as Secure Base, Therapeutic Parenting and PACE.
• Collaborative environment with Mockingbird Hubs, Supported Lodgings Service and No Wrong Door Hub.