Senior Supervising Social Worker (Specialist Step Forward)

Job Title: Senior Supervising Social Worker (Specialist Step Forward from Residential Hub)

Salary: £37,088 per annum (increasing to £41,208 after 18 months) + £750 per annum Homeworking Allowance + £1,500 per annum Out of Hours Allowance (once participating on the rota)

Hours & Contract: 35 Hours per week - permanent

Location: Home-based Greater Manchester. Applicants should be able to travel across Greater Manchester for home visits to support carers and children. Travel also requires the post holder to attend staff meetings in Liverpool.

As a not for profit organisation, TACT puts the needs of our children and carers first and look to appoint individuals who are as passionate about fostering as we are. We are a homeworking organisation, and we pride ourselves on our flexible working opportunities, available from day one, an extensive wellbeing programme and our benefits package, all curated to nurture a healthy work life balance for all our employees so they can give an excellent service to our carers and the young people and children we care for.

As a foster care charity, TACT invests all surplus income into services, staff, carers, and child development. This means that we have been able to invest unique projects like TACT Connect, our unique and ground-breaking scheme for TACT care experienced young people and adults, as well as our expanding Education and Health services. All our activities are built on our commitment to becoming a fully trauma informed organisation, in line with our key values and ethos.

In 2024 TACT became one of the top 5 charities to work for in the UK, placing 5th in the UK Best Companies Work For survey results , and a top 25 mid-sized company to work with across the whole of the UK. 97% of our people feel proud to work with TACT and think that TACT cares about their wellbeing, while 92% of our people would say they love working for TACT .

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Supervising Social Worker to support our first hub of foster carers dedicated to caring for children stepping forward from residential care. You will supervise and support a hub of foster carers and a small number of specialist Step Forward foster carers. In partnership with Local Authorities, you will contribute to matching identified children, undertaking pre-placement assessments, preparation and introductions. You will also play a key role in building relationships with new carers prior to approval. You will be part of our Ofsted Outstanding-rated North West team, with access to support from our Education Service and psychological services. Your practice will be rooted in PACE and DDP approaches.

The Senior Supervising Social Worker will be an essential presence in our recruitment and retention of carers events and must be willing to travel regularly as part of their duties.

If you want to be valued as a professional, be appreciated at work and contribute to better outcomes for the children and young people connected with TACT, apply now.

Overall Duties of the Senior Supervising Social Worker will include:

• Provide regular guidance, training and support including regular in person supervisory visits and other communications to Foster Carers
• Work collaboratively as part of the team around the child to ensure that the children s needs are fully assessed, they are carefully matched and well supported in their transition to a foster family
• To maintain a mutually supportive hub community of Step Forward foster carers
• Build strong relationships with prospective foster carers by undertaking some fostering assessments and supporting them in their preparation for fostering.
• Where capacity allows, undertake Form F assessments
• Ensuring children are visited regularly and are included in TACT activities
• Monitoring outcomes for children and supporting them to reach their full potential
• Identifying the professional and personal needs of foster families to facilitate development and retention

TACT offer an excellent employee benefits package including:

• 31 days paid holiday plus 8 annual bank holidays.
• Progression to salary target rate upon completion of 18 months service.
• 45p per mile for business travel.
• Flexible working arrangements (including compressed hours, flexibility around core hours, volunteer days policy).
• Family friendly policies.
• Homeworking bundle including annual allowance, IT equipment and a loan for home office set up.
• Employee Assistance Programme (including CBT counselling, 24/7 remote GP appointments, physiotherapy, mental health support and second opinions on serious diagnosis).
• An hour a week of live, expert led activities through the Annual Employee wellbeing Programme.
• Menopause Policy and free Menopause Clinician Appointments.
• Stakeholder Pension Scheme (salary sacrifice).
• Fantastic learning and development opportunities for all roles.

The Senior Supervising Social Worker will be required to travel throughout Greater Manchester and to Liverpool at least once a month and on other occasions for training and team wellbeing events.

An Enhanced DBS clearance is required for this role and will be processed by TACT on your behalf.

Closing Date: Sunday 5th October 2025

• Interview Date: Thursday 23rd October 2025 (via Microsoft Teams)

Safeguarding is everyone s business and TACT believes that only the people with the right skills and values should work in social work. As part of TACT s commitment to safeguarding, we properly examine the skills, experience, qualifications, and values of potential staff in relation to our work with vulnerable young children. We use rigorous and consistent recruitment approaches to help safeguard TACT s young people. All our staff are expected to work in line with TACT s safeguarding policies.

We reserve the right to close a vacancy earlier than advertised if the volume of applications is excessive, you are therefore advised to apply at your earliest convenience.

TACT does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies, nor the fees associated with them.