At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to create lasting relationships for children and young adults in care.
- Company: JMT Care Services, a sector-leading social care provider with a focus on relationships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to trauma-informed practice and community growth.
- Why this job: Shape a vital service and support families while achieving excellent Care Inspectorate ratings.
- Qualifications: Professional social work qualification and 2-5 years of management experience required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced social work leader who wants to shape a sector-leading service where relationships come first?
JMT Care Services, we do things differently.
We don’t just find placements—we focus on building stable, loving, and lasting relationships that give children and young adults the foundation they need to thrive.
We are incredibly proud of our team’s hard work, which hasearned us Grade 6 (Excellent) Care Inspectorate ratings acrossthe board for our wellbeing, care support, and care planning.
We are looking for a dedicated and forward-thinking leader to step into the role of Head of Fostering and Young Adult Placement (YAP).
If you have a deep commitment to trauma-informed practice and the energy to help us reach more families, we would love to hear from you.
The Role
As our Head of Fostering and YAP, you will join the Moore House Group Senior Management Team, acting as the main voice and advocate for our service across Scotland.
A big part of your role will be guiding our growth.
We want to expand our community so we can support around 50 permanent, full-time foster families.
Working closely with our marketing team, you will design welcoming, creative recruitment campaigns as well as look after the wonderful carers we already have.
At the same time, you’ll ensure we stay responsive to changing local needs, keep our Care Inspectorate standards high, and act as our trusted expert for Safeguarding.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading with Vision: Map out our annual development plans, turning our hopes for the service into real, positive milestones.
- Growing our Community: Take the lead on finding and welcoming new foster families, while ensuring our existing carers receive the extensive training and support they deserve.
- Staying Responsive: Adapt our services creatively to meet the needs of local authorities and support national agendas such as 'The Promise'.
- Keeping Us Safe & Compliant: Oversee a supportive, thorough Foster Panel and manage our budgets appropriately.
- Supporting the Team: Inspire a close-knit staff team rooted in relationship-based care, and look after the supervision and professional development of our senior staff.
About You
We are looking for someone who is genuinely motivated, resilient, and ready to grow a vital social care service.
You should be someone who thinks outside the box, loves working collaboratively, and can talk warmly and openly with prospective carers, local authorities, and our own teams.
Qualifications & Experience
- Essential: A professional qualification in social work (BA in Social Work, Dip SW, CQSW, or equivalent).
- Essential: Current registration with the SSSC.
- Essential: At least 2–5 years of management experience within social work or family placement.
- Preferred: Experience within an Independent Fostering Provider (IFP), with a track record in developing services, quality assurance, and / or carer recruitment.
- Key Skills
- Strong expertise in child and adult protection and safer-caring risk management.
- The ability to navigate change smoothly, handle pressure with grace, and keep the team focused on what matters.
- A good understanding of how to run public awareness or recruitment campaigns.
- Up-to-date knowledge of childcare theory, Care Inspectorate frameworks, and best practice.
- Statutory Requirements
- Satisfactory Enhanced PVG Scheme Membership (Children and Vulnerable Adults).
- A satisfactory SSSC Register Check.
- Verifiable professional references that speak to your leadership skills.
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Head of Fostering and Young Adult Placement in Livingston employer: JMT Care Services
At JMT Care Services, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the social care sector, where our commitment to building meaningful relationships is at the heart of everything we do. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Located in Scotland, we offer a unique chance to make a real difference in the lives of children and young adults while working alongside a dedicated team that has consistently achieved excellent Care Inspectorate ratings.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Fostering and Young Adult Placement in Livingston
✨Get Involved with Local Charities
Get hands-on experience by volunteering with local charities or organisations in your area. This not only helps you build practical skills but also gets you noticed by potential placements like those at JMT Care Services. Plus, they often have insider info on who’s hiring!
✨Join Student and Professional Networks
Tap into student networks and professional bodies related to social work. Attend events or workshops they organise, as this is a great way to meet people in the field and make valuable connections that could lead to placements at places like JMT Care Services.
✨Showcase Your Passion Online
Start a blog or a social media page dedicated to social work topics. Share your thoughts on relevant issues or spotlight local projects you're involved in. This helps build your visibility and shows that you’re passionate, which placement providers like JMT Care Services will definitely notice!
✨Stay Ahead with Applications
Many social work placements have specific application windows, so keep an eye on these and prepare early. Use university career services to refine your approach and research organisations like JMT Care Services that align with your values and aspirations!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Fostering and Young Adult Placement in Livingston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Empathy Skills:In social work, empathy isn’t just a buzzword – it’s the heart of the profession! Use your cover letter to highlight specific experiences where you've demonstrated compassion and understanding. Whether it's through volunteer work, previous placements, or even personal experiences, make sure JMT Care Services sees your human side.
Tailor Your CV to Highlight Relevant Experiences:When crafting your CV, focus on your relevant experiences in social work or related fields. Include any placements, volunteering, or coursework that showcase your understanding of social issues. Don’t forget to mention any specific training or certifications you've acquired – it’s these details that’ll catch JMT Care Services's attention!
Express Your Passion for Learning:Since this is a placement, show us how eager you are to learn and grow in the field of social work. In your cover letter, talk about why you chose social work as a career. This is your chance to convey your enthusiasm for making a difference and your commitment to developing your skills on the job.
Include Real-World Examples:When discussing your skills and experiences, try to include concrete examples that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Whether it’s a group project from your studies, a case study you’ve worked on, or even life experiences, make those details shine in your application to show how you'd fit into the JMT Care Services team!
How to prepare for a job interview at JMT Care Services
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
When it comes to social work placements, it's all about demonstrating your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share personal stories or experiences that highlight your motivation for joining this field. We want to see that you've got that genuine passion and empathy that makes a great social worker.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving abilities and ethical judgement. They might ask how you’d handle a challenging client or navigate a sensitive situation, so think through your responses and be ready to show how you can apply your knowledge in real-life contexts. It’s a good idea to review common case studies in social work to get into the right mindset.
✨Know Your Theories
Brush up on the key social work theories and frameworks that underpin practice. Being able to reference these during your interview can really impress your interviewers at JMT Care Services. We suggest relating them to your own understanding of situations, showing you're ready to apply theory to practice.
✨Emphasise Your Willingness to Learn
Since this is a placement, your potential for growth is just as important as your current skills. Make sure to express your eagerness to learn from experienced professionals and your openness to feedback. Discuss how you plan to develop during your time at JMT Care Services and how that aligns with your career goals in social work.
