Deputy Area Manager

Blue Sky Fostering Ltd.; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent fostering agency in Maidstone is seeking a Deputy Area Manager to manage social work teams and support foster carers. The ideal candidate will hold a Social Work qualification, have three years of post-qualification experience, and possess leadership skills. The role offers a competitive salary and opportunities for professional development, including generous leave and support programs.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Birthday leave

Employee assistance platform available 24/7

Qualifications

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification.
• Have a current Social Work England registration.
• 3 years post qualification experience.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop the local social work team.
• Conduct formal supervision of social work staff.
• Liaise with Local Authorities regarding children in placement.

Skills

Leadership and management experience

Experience in children’s services and foster care delivery

Education

Recognised Social Work qualification

Tools

Vehicle for travel

Job description

Overview

Blue Sky Fostering has an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Area Manager to join our Kent /Sussex and Surrey team.

Job Title: Deputy Area Manager

Location: Portslade / Maidstone

Salary: £44,155 - £47,740

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday

Location details: Willingness to travel and use a car is essential as the successful applicant will be required to support the team and visit carers and placements across Kent/Sussex and Surrey.

Blue Sky Fostering has an exciting opportunity for a Deputy Area Manager to join our Kent /Sussex and Surrey team.

Who are we? Blue Sky Fostering is an established Independent Fostering Agency, operating across the south of England, to provide foster placements to children and young people. We provide a number of different services including mainstream fostering for children aged 0-18 and Parent and Child Placements. We also have an established and well regarded Therapeutic Led Care (TLC) service where our team of experienced clinical practitioners work alongside specialist foster carers to provide therapeutic care to children to prevent them moving to residential care. Our ethos is to provide the best service possible for children, and for all children placed with us to achieve their full potential. We work hard to ensure children experience love, care, nurture and stability with our carers.

The Role

Blue Sky Fostering has a brilliant opportunity for a Deputy Area Manager to join the team. We are looking for a dedicated and dependable individual to work with and develop both the Blue Sky therapeutic and mainstream service. You will be responsible for working closely with the Team Manager to manage and develop the local social work team that supports our foster carers, children and young people in placements as well as for the recruitment, training, assessment, approval, supervision, support and development of foster carers in the local area.

As a Deputy Area Manager, you will be responsible for the formal supervision and management of all social work staff in the local office, including a case supervision of clinical practitioners, as well as guiding the local administrative staff. This includes ensuring all recording systems for children, carers and staff are maintained in line with Blue Sky Fostering procedures and all tasks are completed in an effective and efficient manner to support the fostering service. You will also be required to allocate new tasks and responsibilities within the team and input into caseload discussions/decisions. The successful candidate will need to attend and report to management meetings as well as convene and chair both local team and clinical TLC meetings regarding children and young people placed with Blue Sky Fostering. You will be responsible for liaising and negotiating with Local Authorities in relation to children in placement as well as meeting regularly with them to ensure that the principles of partnership are upheld and positive working relationships are developed.

Qualifications & Responsibilities

• Hold a recognised Social Work qualification
• Have a current Social Work England registration
• 3 years post qualification experience
• Leadership and management experience
• Hold a full UK Driving Licence and have a vehicle
• Are willing to undertake an enhanced DBS
• Have experience in children’s services and foster care delivery
• Willing to participate in an out of hours telephone support system and undertake occasional out of hours/weekend work by attending events, meetings and training
• Share a commitment to Equal Opportunities in all work practices and to improving the lives of Looked After Children

Why work for us?

• Generous Annual Leave – 28 days PLUS your Bank Holiday Entitlement
• Annual Leave increase after 3 full years of service by 1 day - up until a max of 12 years
• Birthday Leave – a paid day off for your birthday
• Good Health Days – no sickness in a 6 month period and get an additional day off!
• Refer A Friend Scheme with a monetary incentive
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Platform that provides access to advice and support 24/7
• Auto Enrolment Pension
• Learning & Development Opportunities
• Optional Private Healthcare Scheme
• Eyecare Vouchers
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Optional Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave/Shared Parental Leave

Everyone is welcome.

Diversity and inclusion are the principles for how we build our teams and Blue Sky Fostering strives to create an inclusive culture where all forms of diversity are valued and celebrated. We want a workforce which represents the communities we serve and work, to ensure no applicant or employee is treated unfairly on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, religion or identity. We recognise and value the individual differences and contributions of all employees and believe that by working together we can achieve equality for all.