At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape vital fostering services for children and young people.
- Company: Kirklees Council, dedicated to improving lives in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and strong professional development support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to safeguarding and promoting welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading innovative fostering practices.
- Qualifications: Qualified Social Worker with senior management experience in children's social care.
The predicted salary is between 57457 - 58462 £ per year.
Overview
We adopt a ‘name blind’ approach to shortlisting. Recruiting managers will not have access to personal information, including your name and contact details, until a shortlisting decision has been made.
Role details
- Organisation: Kirklees
- Directorate: Children & Families
- Service Area: Child Protection & Family Support
- Hours: 37
- Number of Jobs: 1
- Location(s): Across Kirklees
- Position type: Permanent
- Grade: Grade 16
- Salary: £57,457 - £58,462
- Enhancements / additional payments details: Market Rate Supplement of £4000 (to be reviewed annually)
About The Role
At Kirklees Council, we are ambitious for our children and young people. We are committed to providing high‑quality, safe and stable family‑based care so that children can thrive, feel secure and achieve their potential. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Service Manager to provide strong strategic and operational leadership within our Homes for Children service.
This is a Service Manager role with responsibility for leading our regulated fostering, connected carers and supported lodgings services, ensuring children and young people receive high‑quality care and carers are well supported to meet their needs. You will lead a number of dedicated teams and work closely with partners across the Council and wider system to provide homes for our children and young people who are looked after and deliver safe, effective and sustainable services that meet statutory duties, fostering standards and regulatory requirements.
You will work closely with one of our key stakeholders, the Kirklees Fostering Network, building strong partnerships that ensure foster carers’ voices shape practice, policy and service development. This role is central to strengthening collaboration, improving outcomes for children, and supporting a confident, connected fostering community across Kirklees.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for fostering, connected carers and supported lodgings services, ensuring high‑quality practice and positive outcomes for children and young people.
- Be responsible for the support, supervision and development of Kirklees foster carers, ensuring fostering standards, regulations and statutory guidance are consistently met.
- Oversee regulated provision, including registration with Ofsted as Registered Manager for the 16+ Supported Lodgings scheme.
- Lead the fostering recruitment and marketing plan, working closely with the Communications team and partner agencies to increase the number of Kirklees foster carers.
- Represent the service at recruitment and promotional events, including some evening, weekend and out‑of‑hours work.
- Lead the implementation of national fostering reforms and new and innovative approaches to fostering.
- Oversee the delivery of viability assessments, regulation 24 assessments, special guardianship assessments, private fostering and presentations to Fostering Panel.
About You
- Be a qualified Social Worker, registered with Social Work England.
- Have significant experience at a senior management level within children’s social care.
- Have strong knowledge of fostering and connected carers legislation, regulation and best practice.
- Be experienced in managing large teams, complex services and budgets.
- Be confident in leading change, managing risk and addressing complex service and workforce issues.
- Be a skilled communicator, able to influence and work effectively with partners and stakeholders at all levels.
- Be committed to improving outcomes for children through high‑quality, stable family‑based care.
- Be confident in managing complex service issues, HR matters, complaints, and change programmes.
- A strong communicator, able to present complex information clearly to a wide range of audiences.
- Analytical, solutions focused, and able to work across organisational and service boundaries.
Why work for Kirklees?
Working for Kirklees Council means making a real difference to the lives of children, young people, and families. We offer:
- The opportunity to lead and shape vital services.
- A supportive and values‑led organisation.
- Flexible working arrangements where possible.
- A strong focus on professional development and leadership support.
If this opportunity sounds like a good fit for you, we encourage you to apply and start a conversation with us today.
Interview Date: 28 April 2026
Anna Gledhill is the manager for this role, please contact them on 01484 221000 for an informal discussion, or if you need any more information.
This job is subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level. A conviction may not exclude candidates from appointment but will be considered as part of the recruitment process.
We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities.
Closing date 19 April 2026, 11:55 PM
Fostering and Connected Persons Service Manager employer: Kirklees Council
Kirklees Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the community. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive, values-led culture, employees are empowered to lead and innovate within vital services. This role offers the unique opportunity to collaborate with partners and foster a connected community, ensuring high-quality care for children and young people across Kirklees.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fostering and Connected Persons Service Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and social care sector. Attend events, join relevant groups, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Kirklees Council and their approach to fostering services. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Practise common interview questions and think of examples that showcase your leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for child welfare! During interviews or networking, share your commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people. Highlight any relevant projects or initiatives you've led that demonstrate your dedication to high-quality care.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about the role. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a quick email can keep you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Fostering and Connected Persons Service Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your experience and how it relates to the role. We want to see your skills shine without any fluff!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application for this specific role. Highlight your relevant experience in fostering and connected care, and show us how you can make a difference at Kirklees. We love seeing applicants who really get what we’re about!
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for working with children and families come through in your writing. Share why you’re excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to our mission. We’re all about making a positive impact!
Check Your Details:Before hitting send, double-check your application for any typos or errors. A polished application shows attention to detail, which is super important in this role. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest fostering legislation and best practices. Familiarise yourself with Kirklees Council's values and how they align with your own experience in children's social care. This will show that you're not just a good fit for the role, but also genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and managed complex services in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them. This is your chance to demonstrate your strategic thinking and operational leadership abilities.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to discuss how you would build strong partnerships with stakeholders, like the Kirklees Fostering Network. Share your ideas on how to involve foster carers in shaping practice and policy, as this is crucial for the role. Showing that you value collaboration will set you apart.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions to ask during the interview. This could be about the current challenges the service faces or how they measure success in fostering outcomes. Asking thoughtful questions shows your genuine interest and helps you assess if the role is right for you.
