Job Introduction
Fostering Independent Reviewing Officer (FIRO) Team Manager
Salary: Grade PO6, SCPs 40 - 43 - £51,356 - £54,495 plus £2000 market supplement, Permanent, 22.5 hours per week, Based in Sir Henry Mitchell House
Working for the Bradford Children and Families Trust offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as it’s geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive.
We are fully committed to equal opportunities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
About the Role
Foster for Bradford have a large cohort of foster carers, both mainstream and kinship. The review process of foster carers is undertaken by the safeguarding and reviewing service to support independence of the role.
The role will be to manage the Independent Fostering Reviewing Officers (FIROs) to ensure that the suitability of foster carers approvals is reviewed and service delivery in respect of our foster carers is of the highest quality. The role has a central responsibility for driving the FIRO service in Bradford to ensure that practice is restorative, collaborative and of a high quality. The role will have management of robust quality assurance systems to ensure that FIRO’s are maintaining oversight of the annual review process for foster carers.
Our strategic vision and values https://www.bradfordcft.org.uk/about-us/our-vision-and-values/ are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care.
Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.
You’ll also:
- To lead a busy team of FIRO’s ensuring that a timely, high quality reviewing service is consistently delivered across the population of foster carers by being able to communicate effectively with the team and provide a clear vision of service priorities.
- To oversee the quality assurance systems and carry out monthly fostering audits to ensure compliance with practice standards and expectations. To oversee performance data and undertake dip sampling to ensure consistency in both quantitative and qualitative information. This involves writing and presenting quality assurance reports to senior managers as required.
- Identify clear objectives for service delivery and develop and performance manage service action plans. Ensure Business plans are in place for the service and contingencies are identified so that plan objectives can be met.
To be successful in this role you will need:
- The role holder is required to have a social work qualification and equivalent knowledge gained through experience within the service area. The ability to apply knowledge and expertise to plan and enable the highest levels and standards in the delivery of work.
- In-depth knowledge of local, regional, and national issues impacting strategy and services, with the ability to stay current on developments, evaluate information, and apply insights to influence professional practice and ways of working.
- Proven ability to lead and manage high-performing teams, fostering a culture where everyone can achieve their potential, deliver efficient, solution-focused outcomes and maintaining an engaged, productive workforce.
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays
- Excellent Local Government pension
- Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave
- Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling
- Professional development and career progression opportunities
For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure.
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Sally Craddock via email on sally.cradock@bradfordcft.org.uk or call on 07890 418360
Closing Date: 18th January 2026
Interviews: 28th and 29th January 2026 (this will include a child led interview panel)