Most social work roles drain you: endless bureaucracy, stretched teams, and the feeling that the system is working against the children you're trying to help. This is different. We're a charity-led fostering agency where your expertise in assessment and supervision directly shapes the safety and stability of children's lives, and where the not-for-profit values mean every decision serves the young people, not the bottom line
Imagine supervising foster carers who are genuinely committed, assessing families with real rigour, and knowing that your support and reflective practice sessions are building the foundations for children to thrive in homes where they feel truly safe. You'll be the trusted practitioner they turn to when things get complex, the one who spots what matters and helps them grow. That's the daily work here
You'll manage your own caseload across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, receive referrals from local authorities, and lead the matching process that gets each child into the right family. You're not just processing cases: you're building relationships, facilitating support groups, delivering training that raises standards, and occasionally taking on commissioned assessment work that tests and develops your skills
The team here invests in you. Comprehensive training, clear pathways to develop practice, and a culture of reflective supervision mean you'll grow sharper, not burn out. The charity structure means every penny stays in the service; the pension contributions rise with your length of service; and the wellbeing support - from Mental Health First Aiders to free weekly yoga - is genuine, not corporate theatre
What you will be doing
- Manage, support and supervise approved foster carers, providing ongoing supervision, reviews, and reflective practice sessions that help them improve
- Receive, process and progress referrals for children and young people from local authorities, and lead the matching process to place each child with the right family
- Develop and deliver training for prospective and approved foster carers, building their skills and confidence
- Undertake independent and complex assessment work commissioned by external agencies, exercising professional judgement within current fostering legislation and guidance
- Supervise staff and students as allocated, and contribute to service development in agreed areas
Why you will love working here
- £43,150 per annum (£22.25 per hour), plus mileage paid at £0.45 per mile for travel across your area
- 27 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays, rising to 30 after 5 years and 33 after 10 years, plus long service awards with cash gifts and extra holiday
- Generous pension scheme with up to 7% company contributions rising with service, plus up to 6 x basic salary death in service benefit and enhanced family-friendly policies including enhanced maternity, paternity and adoptive leave
- Real investment in your development: comprehensive training, apprenticeship qualifications, access to Mental Health First Aiders, free weekly yoga, and an Employee Assistance Programme for you and your family
- A real living wage employer where you work for a charity, not a profit machine: every decision serves the children and families you support
Is this you?
- Are you a qualified social worker (CQSW, DipSW or Social Work Degree) registered with Social Work England?
- Do you have relevant experience in fostering, whether in independent fostering agencies, local authority settings, or related social work roles?
- Can you work reflectively, balancing professional boundaries with informed judgement, and adapt to the pace and pressures of a busy caseload?
- Do you have strong communication skills, solid knowledge of fostering legislation and regulations, and a genuine commitment to continuous professional development?
- Are you flexible enough to work occasional evenings and weekends, and do you have a full driving licence and access to a vehicle?
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.