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- Tasks: Transform children's lives by leading a high-performing fostering team and driving strategic growth.
- Company: Compass Community, dedicated to putting children first with integrity and care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, wellbeing support, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to continuous improvement and impactful change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in social work and significant senior leadership experience in fostering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
About The Role
Are you a Life Changer? Do you want to lean in and transform the life of a child? 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.
Compass Fostering is recruiting an Assistant Director of Fostering to join our senior leadership team at an exciting time of growth and ambition. Working closely with the Managing Director of Fostering, you will play a pivotal role in delivering our strategic vision - driving foster carer recruitment, improving placement stability, and ensuring high-quality, safe and stable homes for children and young people. You will lead and develop a high‑performing team of Heads of Fostering and senior leaders, building a culture where quality, safeguarding and commercial performance go hand in hand.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive foster carer recruitment and retention, working in partnership with Local Authorities to support sufficiency and meet growing demand
- Lead initiatives to improve placement stability and reduce unplanned endings, using data and insight to inform decision‑making
- Ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, child protection and regulatory compliance across all services
- Support and develop Heads of Fostering to achieve and sustain outstanding inspection outcomes
- Deliver operational and commercial performance in line with growth targets, KPIs and budgets
- Build strong, credible relationships with Local Authority commissioners and key partners
- Work collaboratively with Quality, Safeguarding, Recruitment and Marketing teams to continuously improve performance
- Contribute to strategic growth, including new services, partnerships and integration of acquisitions
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and values‑led leadership
Role Requirements
- Degree or equivalent social work qualification
- Significant senior leadership experience within an Independent Fostering Provider
- Proven track record of delivering growth, improving performance and driving quality outcomes
- Strong understanding of fostering regulations, safeguarding and inspection frameworks
- Experience working with Local Authority commissioners and partnership models
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance performance and child‑centred practice
- Inspirational leadership style with the ability to engage and influence at all levels
Benefits of Joining Compass Fostering
- Competitive salary aligned to your experience and impact
- Car allowance to support hybrid and flexible working
- Wellbeing support, including access to therapeutic services
- Recognition and reward schemes, including service awards and monthly recognition
- Medicash health plan for everyday healthcare costs
- Life assurance scheme
- Generous annual leave, increasing with service
Our recruitment process aims to create and maintain a safe workforce and contains robust vetting procedures. The successful applicants will be offered a role subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check. Compass is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives and experiences to support our children and young people.
Assistant Director of Fostering employer: Compass Fostering
Contact Detail:
Compass Fostering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Director of Fostering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the fostering sector, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Compass Community and understanding their values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of putting children first and driving quality outcomes.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've led teams or driven change. Highlighting your ability to inspire and influence will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our community.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Director of Fostering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for transforming children's lives shine through. We want to see how your values align with ours—Integrity, Courage, and Care. Share personal experiences that highlight your commitment to fostering and child welfare.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the Assistant Director of Fostering role. Highlight your senior leadership experience and any relevant achievements in fostering or social work. We love seeing how you can drive growth and improve performance!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Compass Community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Compass Fostering
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Compass Community's mission and values. Understand their therapeutic approach and how it shapes their work. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you align your answers with their core principles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Assistant Director of Fostering, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership experience. Prepare specific examples of how you've led teams, improved performance, and driven quality outcomes in previous roles. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Be Data-Driven
Since the role involves using data to inform decision-making, be ready to discuss how you've used data insights in past positions. Bring examples of how you've improved placement stability or foster carer recruitment through analytical approaches.
✨Build Relationships
Compass Community values collaboration with Local Authorities and key partners. Think about how you've built strong relationships in your previous roles. Be prepared to share strategies you've used to engage stakeholders and ensure successful partnerships.