* Do you havesignificant experience as a manager in fostering/adoption?* Are you looking for a newchallenge or maybe a change of direction?* Do you have an interest inleading change, developing new pieces of work, writing and reviewing policy & guidance, and embeddingquality?* If so, then this could be the role for you!
We are seeking to recruit an experienced, solution focussed, innovative and enthusiastic
UK Assistant Head of Service Development and Quality in fostering & adoption(this is an assistant director level post)
You will report to the UK Head of Fostering & adoption, and your role will be to lead the service development and quality team currently consisting of two Operations Managers and a Charms data administrator. You will lead UK fostering and adoption on developing new areas of work, quality assurance, policy and practice across fostering and adoption in all four UK nations, as well as represent Barnardo's externally.
Responsibilities include -
- Be the Agency Decision Maker for fostering and adoption across the UK where required.
- Participate on the helpline rota as the UK manager on call and have oversight of the helpline/ be AHoB cover for services where required.
- Lead on Charms recording system and data analysis, data protection.
- Project development, oversight and management of new and existing products/developments in fostering and adoption services.
- Creation, review and oversight of policies, practice, guidance, templates.
- Oversight of the Adoption Assessment Project(AAR)
- Undertake complaints investigations and other investigations as / when required.
- Present at Senior Management Meetings and other internal meetings.
- Deliver workshops, learning events, lessons learned across fostering and adoption.
- Review external and internal inspection reports to ensure that policy/quality issues are shared across services.
- Represent fostering/ adoption at internal / external meetings and working groups, including working with government, media, policy, legal.
- Be the lead link with internal teams such as policy, media, creative, data governance, health & safety, business development
- Implement and establish reporting systems and present qualitative and quantitative performance analysis reports.
- Act as spokesperson for Barnardo's, highlighting Barnardo's experience and value as a fostering and adoption agency to influencing government policy and practice.
- Scrutinise external and internal inspection reports to ensure that policy/ quality issues are shared across services.
- Support in response to government consultations relating to fostering and adoption
Please read the job description, personspecification and additional information for details on experience, knowledge and skills required as this will be used when shortlisting. This is a regulated post so a social work qualification is essential. If you would like an informal conversation about the role, contactnicola.williams@barnardos.org.uk.
Interviews will be on 11 & 16 November, andwill include a task, the detail of which will be provided if shortlisted.
There will also be an interview with children and young people (date to be arranged)
values.
Workplace Offer: What it means for you
- The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme
- Service related sick pay from day 1
- For Fostering & Adoption services, use of transcription toolBEAM Notes(also known as Magic Notes)
- Cycle2work scheme
- Interest free season ticket loans
- 20% discount at Barnardo's stores
- Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc
- Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support
- Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer
- Reference number:23837
- Job Title:Fostering & Adoption UK Assistant Head of Service Development and Quality
- Location:Workplace offer: Hybrid working, Barnardo's hub/office or home address based in the UK
- Contract type:Permanent
- Hours:36.25
- Salary:£57,374 (FTE) plus £312 Office at Home Allowance
- Closing Date:1 November 2026
- Interview Date:11 or 16 Nov 2026
Additional Info
- Information Sheet for Applicants Applying for Positions Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults (updated July 2021).pdf (107.00 KB)
- Barnardo's Workplace Offer Visual Summary.pdf (27.58 KB)
- Recruitment of Ex-Offenders Policy Dec 2024.pdf (164.07 KB)
- Assistant Head of Service Development and Quality - Job Description and Person Specification.pdf (308.14 KB)
- AHoSDQ Additional info sheet.pdf (43.29 KB)
- CYP Version of JD AHoSDQ.pdf (17.49 KB)
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Fostering & Adoption UK Assistant Head of Service Development and Quality employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative work culture that prioritises flexibility and employee well-being. As a Strategic Finance Partner in Greater London, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on children's services while benefiting from professional growth and development within a supportive environment dedicated to improving the lives of young people.
