At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a dedicated team to improve outcomes for children in fostering services.
- Company: Family Care, a family-owned agency with over 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of looked after children and young people.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with management experience and a passion for child welfare.
- Other info: Join a values-led agency with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 51600 - 61600 £ per year.
Are you an experienced and inspirational leader in fostering services, a qualified Social Worker with current registration, driven by a passion to improve outcomes for looked after children and young people?
About Us
Family Care is a family-owned independent fostering agency with over 30 years' experience supporting children, young people, and foster carers across the Midlands and North West. Our therapeutic, child-centred approach places relationships, stability, and positive outcomes at the heart of everything we do.
About the Role
As Registered Manager, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for our fostering service, overseeing a committed team including a Practice Manager, Social Workers, Support Workers, and Administrative Staff. You will set a clear vision, lead with integrity, and ensure the service consistently meets Ofsted requirements, Fostering Regulations, National Minimum Standards and our own high standards of care. You will be accountable for the development and delivery of all fostering services within the registered agency, ensuring full compliance with statutory guidance, national minimum standards, and our Statement of Purpose. Safeguarding and the wellbeing of children and young people will remain central to all decision-making. Acting as an ambassador for Family Care, you will promote our child-focused, outcomes-driven ethos and work closely with the owners to support children, young people, and care leavers, including collaboration with our charity partner, The Williamson Children's Trust. This role covers our fostering services across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire, with hybrid working between home and our regional offices.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide overall operational leadership of the fostering service as Registered Manager, ensuring full compliance with legislation, regulation, and Family Care Group policies.
- Lead, manage, and develop staff through supervision, workload allocation, performance management, appraisals, disciplinary processes, and training plans.
- Monitor and ensure the ongoing suitability, competence, and development of foster carers, promoting safe, nurturing, and aspirational care environments.
- Ensure services are developed and delivered in line with government agendas, statutory frameworks, and best practice.
- Oversee the recruitment, assessment, training, and supervision of foster carers and employees.
- Act as Panel Advisor for the Fostering Panel.
- Ensure a robust and effective 24-hour professional support service for foster carers.
- Contribute to strategic planning, service development, and business growth.
- Oversee financial reporting and budget management.
- Build a highly motivated, innovative, and collaborative team culture where change is positive, well-communicated, and child-focused.
What We're Looking For
Essential Requirements:
- DipSW, CQSW, Degree in Social Work, or equivalent.
- Management qualification (Level 5 or equivalent).
- Registered with Social Work England.
- Minimum of 2 years' relevant experience within Independent Fostering in the last 5 years.
- At least 1 year's experience supervising and managing professional staff.
- Proficient experience in undertaking Form F Assessments.
- Working knowledge of CHARMS.
- Willingness to participate in an out-of-hours rota.
- Full UK driving licence and ability to travel between Staffordshire and Lancashire offices.
Why Join Family Care?
- Small, values-led Independent Fostering Agency.
- Therapeutic, relationship-based approach.
- Strong Ofsted history and reputation.
- Direct access to decision-makers.
- Opportunity to shape and grow services.
What We Offer:
- Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 per annum, + car allowance + bonus.
- Full-time; permanent.
- Hybrid working model (Staffordshire / Lancashire office base).
- 30 days annual leave + statutory holidays.
- Contributory pension scheme and long-service awards.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- A supportive, family-owned organisation where your leadership and impact are genuinely valued.
Safeguarding
Family Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. A criminal record will not necessarily prevent employment.
Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency employer: Family Care Group
Contact Detail:
Family Care Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering sector, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Family Care thoroughly. Understand their values, mission, and recent developments. We want to see you shine, so think about how your experience aligns with their child-centred approach and be ready to share specific examples from your past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, highlight your experience in managing teams and developing staff. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and motivate others, so don’t hold back on sharing your success stories and how you’ve positively impacted your previous teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us. So, get your application in and let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for improving outcomes for looked after children shine through. We want to see how your experiences and values align with our child-centred approach.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in fostering services and leadership roles. We love seeing specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous positions, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and fit for the role without wading through unnecessary fluff.
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 this exciting opportunity with Family Care.
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Care Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest fostering regulations and Ofsted requirements. Brush up on your knowledge of the National Minimum Standards and be ready to discuss how you’ve applied these in your previous roles.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that showcase your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think about specific situations where you’ve motivated staff or improved outcomes for children and young people.
✨Emphasise Child-Centred Approaches
Family Care values a therapeutic, child-centred approach, so be ready to talk about how you prioritise relationships and stability in your work. Share stories that highlight your commitment to improving outcomes for looked after children.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the agency’s mission. Inquire about their strategic plans for service development or how they support foster carers, showing that you’re keen to contribute positively.