Assessment Manager

Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to help transform the lives of children and young people?

Compass Community puts children first through our therapeutic, innovative approach. Integrity, Courage and Care shape how we work. We listen deeply, challenge each other and fix what needs fixing, together.

This is the work. And we'd like you to be part of it.

We're looking for an experienced and passionate Assessment Manager to join our growing Fostering team.

You'll be responsible for leading and developing a high-performing Panel and Assessment Service, ensuring the recruitment, assessment and approval of foster carers is delivered to the highest standards.

Working closely with the Group Panel and Assessment Manager, you'll oversee assessment quality, manage and support Assessing Social Workers, contribute to service development, and ensure compliance with fostering legislation, regulations and National Minimum Standards.

You'll also play a key role in maintaining a strong foster carer recruitment pipeline, ensuring the service meets both current and future demand.

This is a predominantly home-based position, with occasional visits to our Birmingham office throughout the year for meetings and national events.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading and developing a high-quality Panel and Assessment Service.
• Overseeing the recruitment, assessment and approval of prospective foster carers.
• Managing the quality and timeliness of all fostering assessments.
• Recruiting, supervising and developing Assessing Social Workers.
• Acting as Agency Advisor on Fostering Panels.
• Supporting the recruitment, training and development of Panel Members.
• Monitoring service performance and contributing to recruitment and growth targets.
• Driving continuous improvement and contributing to new service developments.
• Ensuring compliance with fostering legislation, safeguarding requirements and Compass policies.

About You

We're looking for a motivated and experienced social work professional who is passionate about achieving positive outcomes for children.

You'll have:

• A Degree in Social Work.
• Social Work England registration.
• Significant experience within fostering services.
• Experience of undertaking and quality assuring foster carer assessments.
• Strong leadership, supervision and people management skills.
• Knowledge of fostering legislation, regulations and National Minimum Standards.
• Excellent organisational, communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• A commitment to safeguarding and improving outcomes for children and young people.

Why Join Compass Fostering?

• Career Development - We invest in our people and offer clear pathways into senior leadership roles.
• Competitive Salary - Structured pay framework reflecting your skills and experience.
• Travel Package - 55p per mile plus a £100 monthly car allowance.
• Wellbeing Support - Access to therapeutic wellbeing sessions via our Therapeutic Services team.
• Recognition Awards - £200 service award after two years, plus up to £500 for exceptional practice.
• MediCash Scheme - Healthcare cashback for a range of medical treatments and appointments.
• Life Assurance - Three times annual salary following successful completion of probation.
• Enhanced Annual Leave - 27 days rising to 30 days after four years' service.

Safeguarding Commitment

The recruitment process aims to create and maintain a safe workforce and includes robust pre-employment checks. Successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

Compass Community is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Together, we can transform children's lives.