Fostering Assessment Manager

Join Our Team as a Fostering Assessment Manager!

Location: Remote

Contract: Full Time, Permanent - 35 hours per week

Salary: Up to £49,000 per annum

Why Choose Us?

At Polaris, we are proud to be one of the UK's largest communities of children's service providers. For over 30 years, we have been dedicated to improving the lives of young people through our independent fostering and adoption agencies, leaving care services, and bespoke children's services. Our nurturing community is committed to achieving the best outcomes for every child in our care, and we believe in the potential of our children, families, and staff.

Your Role

We are excited to invite a passionate Assessment Manager to join our established assessment team. This is your chance to provide robust leadership and management to the foster parent assessment process, all while developing your management skills in a supportive environment.

What We Are Looking For

As our new Assessment Manager, you will:

• Lead the recruitment and assessment of foster parents from initial enquiry to panel approval.
• Ensure the quality and timeliness of assessments, maintaining compliance with statutory requirements and performance targets.
• Build strong partnerships with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Analyze data and trends to support service improvement and business planning.
• Provide guidance on fostering regulations and best practices.
• Demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding, managing concerns promptly and appropriately.
• Contribute to panel processes as needed.

About You

To thrive in this role, you should possess:

• A professionally recognized qualification in Social Work.
• A minimum of four years' experience as a qualified social worker in a children and family setting.
• Strong experience in foster parent recruitment and assessment, including Form F and the assessment and panel process.
• Sound knowledge of fostering legislation, regulations, and standards.
• Experience working with fostering panels and performance targets.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• A full driving license.
• Proficiency in the full suite of Microsoft Office.

Working Conditions & Benefits

We offer a supportive and flexible working environment, along with a comprehensive benefits package:

• 30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service + bank holidays.
• Car Allowance.
• Company Pension.
• Life Assurance.
• Employee Discount Scheme.

At Polaris, we are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. All staff are expected to share this commitment.

We look forward to welcoming you to our team!