Foster Carers out of hours Manager
London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
About this job
<p>We are seeking expressions of interest from an experienced and confident manager to join our Foster Carers Out of Hours Support Line. This is an important role providing urgent advice, guidance and support to foster carers, staff and other professionals outside of normal working hours, helping to ensure that children remain safe, carers feel supported, and urgent issues are responded to promptly and appropriately. The postholder will be part of a rota of experienced staff who provide one week of out of hours cover at a time. During the rota week, the manager will be available to respond to urgent fostering matters during the agreed operating hours, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.</p> <p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Provide urgent advice and support to foster carers and staff outside of normal office hours.</li> <li>Respond calmly and professionally to complex or escalating situations involving children, carers or placements.</li> <li>Offer management guidance to support safe and proportionate decision-making.</li> <li>Liaise with relevant services, including the Emergency Duty Team where appropriate.</li> <li>Ensure urgent safeguarding issues are recognised, escalated and recorded appropriately.</li> <li>Provide clear handovers so that daytime services can follow up any actions or concerns.</li> </ul>
Special requirements for this post
<p>Enhanced DBS</p>
About you
<p>You will be an experienced manager or senior practitioner with strong fostering knowledge and experience of working with the LBBD Fostering service, sound safeguarding judgement and the confidence to give clear advice in urgent situations. You will be able to remain calm under pressure, communicate effectively with foster carers and professionals, and make balanced decisions that support children’s safety and placement stability.</p> <p>This is a valuable opportunity to contribute to the support offered to LBBD foster carers outside of normal working hours and to play a key role in strengthening the stability and safety of fostering placements.</p>
About us
<p>Barking & Dagenham is changing. It Starts Here.</p> <p> </p> <p>Think you know Barking and Dagenham? Think again. While this small corner of east London might have a reputation for needing development, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find active communities and a place that consistently punches above its weight. The borough is changing – and changing for the better. And It Starts Here.</p> <p> </p> <p>Yes, the borough has its challenges. But it’s on the cusp of something exciting. With one of the youngest populations in the country, ambitions are high and rightly so. 98% of our schools are rated Good or Outstanding and every year more of our talented teenagers get into Russell Group Universities and hotly sought after apprenticeship schemes. </p> <p> </p> <p>We have award winning parks, centuries old manor houses full of relics and artifacts you can go and see, and the ruins of one of Anglo-Saxon England's most powerful and wealthiest religious sites. We’re even bringing beavers and white storks to the borough to help rewild the local landscape and boost biodiversity. </p> <p> </p> <p>Over the past few years, we’ve been working hard to improve how we deliver services and support our community. From tackling inequality to making sure our services are the best they can be, we’re focused on what matters most to local people. </p> <p> </p> <p>We’re creating the conditions for people to thrive - so everyone can enjoy a good quality of life, feel proud to call this place home, and be part of something bigger. </p> <p> </p> <p>#ItStartsHere - with our streets, our schools, our neighbourhoods. And with your application to join our determined team who are passionate about doing what’s best for the future of Barking and Dagenham. </p> <p> </p> <p>As an Investors in People Gold Award employer, we’re serious about supporting our staff. From flexible working, professional training and career development to wellbeing initiatives, we want our people to feel valued and supported in everything they do.</p> <p> </p>
Additional Information
<p>We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any adjustments or support at any stage, please contact the Hiring Manager to discuss your needs.</p> <p><strong>Hours:</strong> 49 hours outside of normal office hours</p> <p><strong>Working pattern:</strong> Monday to Friday, 5pm to 10pm; weekends and bank holidays, 10am to 10pm. The role is delivered on a rota basis with other staff, each covering one week at a time.</p>