At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a dedicated team to improve outcomes for looked after children.
- Company: Family Care, a family-owned independent fostering agency with 30 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a values-led organisation with strong Ofsted history and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while shaping the future of fostering services.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with management experience and a passion for child welfare.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ 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 2011, 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 years' 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 (IFA) |Social Work M... employer: Family Care Group
Family Care is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and values-led environment where your leadership can truly make a difference in the lives of looked after children and young people. With over 30 years of experience, we provide a therapeutic, child-centred approach and foster a collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth through training and development opportunities. Our hybrid working model, competitive salary, and generous benefits package, including 30 days of annual leave and a contributory pension scheme, make Family Care an attractive place to build a meaningful career in fostering services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) |Social Work M...
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Family Care Group.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Family Care Group!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Family Care Group, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Family Care Group or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Registered Manager – Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) |Social Work M...
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Family Care Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Family Care Group! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Care Group
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
