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- Tasks: Lead and oversee referral hubs, ensuring high-quality placements for children with complex needs.
- Company: Join the largest independent children's fostering group in the UK, rated a Great Place to Work!
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 39 days annual leave, a minimum 9% pension, and flexible benefits tailored to you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while enjoying a supportive and innovative work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in children's services, strong leadership skills, and a recognised social work qualification required.
- Other info: 4-day working week after probation, with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Do not pass up this chance, apply quickly if your experience and skills match what is in the following description.
Location: National role with travel
Contract Type: 6 month fixed term contract
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: Competitive dependent on experience
Our Core Benefits include:
- Up to 39 days annual leave (including BH, One Moment in Time day and opportunity to buy 5 extra days)
- Minimum 9% Contributory Pension
- Life Assurance
- ‘The Hub’ discount marketplace
- EAP
- Occupational Health
- Sick pay
- Family Friendly leave
- Expenses and Mileage
- Tech Scheme
About the Role
The Referral Hub Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for all referral hubs across England, with potential links to Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. The role is responsible for ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality, child-focused placements for children referred by local authorities, many of whom have complex needs. A key focus will be on achieving timely, well-matched and stable placements that support the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
The postholder will lead national efforts to drive consistency across referral operations, promote best practice and embed innovation. This includes improving placement success rates while maintaining robust safeguarding standards, meeting regulatory requirements and delivering against key performance targets.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking an experienced senior leader with a strong background in children’s services or fostering, and a proven ability to lead multi-site teams and deliver strategic objectives at a national or regional level. You will have in-depth knowledge of fostering legislation, safeguarding requirements and regulatory frameworks, alongside experience of improving referral and placement matching processes for children with complex needs.
The ideal candidate will be highly skilled in performance management, using data, KPIs and insight to drive continuous improvement and achieve positive outcomes for children and young people. You will be an excellent communicator and relationship builder, confident in working collaboratively with local authorities, foster carers and internal stakeholders. A recognised social work qualification, professional registration and the ability to travel regularly across the UK are essential for this role.
Why work for us?
At National Fostering Group, our employee’s health and wellbeing are important to us. We offer an exceptional rewards package as well as access to our flexible benefits platform - so you can choose extra benefits that are suited to you.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake appropriate checks.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Referral Hub Director in Bolton employer: National Fostering Group
Contact Detail:
National Fostering Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Referral Hub Director in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and children's services sector. A personal introduction can make all the difference when applying for roles like the Referral Hub Director.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the company culture and values. Knowing that National Fostering Group is rated as a Great Place to Work can help you align your answers with their ethos during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led multi-site teams and improved processes in your previous roles. This will resonate well with the expectations for the Referral Hub Director position.
✨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, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and benefits there.
We think you need these skills to ace Referral Hub Director in Bolton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. Make sure you understand what we're looking for in a Referral Hub Director and how your experience aligns with our needs.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV and cover letter! We want to see how your skills and experiences specifically relate to this role. Highlight your background in children’s services and any relevant achievements that showcase your leadership abilities.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out the online application form, keep your answers clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of your application being reviewed. It’s super easy, and we can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at National Fostering Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fostering legislation and safeguarding requirements. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role and understand the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led multi-site teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them, as this will demonstrate your ability to drive consistency and improve outcomes.
✨Data is Your Friend
Be ready to talk about how you've used data and KPIs to drive performance improvements. Highlight any specific metrics you've improved in previous roles, as this will resonate well with the interviewers looking for a results-driven candidate.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves collaboration with local authorities and foster carers, think of ways you've built strong relationships in the past. Share stories that illustrate your communication skills and ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
