At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of family-based care across the North East, shaping new systems and structures.
- Company: Join a pioneering partnership of 12 Local Authorities dedicated to improving family-based care.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, excellent pension scheme, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team with opportunities for significant impact and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and foster carers while leading innovative change.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in fostering services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are seeking an exceptional senior leader to take on the pivotal role of Director of Family Based Care for the North East Regional Care Co-operative (RCC) – a new and ambitious partnership bringing together 12 Local Authorities to transform how family-based care is designed, delivered and sustained across the region. Reporting to the Chief Executive of the Regional Care Co-operative and forming a key part of the regional leadership team, you will hold overall responsibility for delivering the national requirements for regional end-to-end fostering hubs, as part of a broader strategic regional approach to Family Based Care through Foster with North East (FwNE).
You will lead the implementation of the agreed Locality Delivery Model, with full accountability for meeting national minimum standards and requirements. This is a critical role in establishing a coherent, high-quality and sustainable regional offer that improves outcomes for children, young people and foster carers across the North East. This is a unique opportunity to shape a new regional system from the ground up – designing structures, building teams, embedding new ways of working and positioning the North East as a national leader in Family Based Care.
You will:
- Provide clear, visible leadership for Family Based Care across the region, aligned to the strategic vision of the RCC Board, Chief Executive and key decision‑makers.
- Lead the establishment and implementation of a new regional model for Family Based Care, embedding new structures and ways of working.
- Be accountable at regional level for all resources, staffing and budgets allocated through FwNE, including delivery of the agreed programme of work.
- Ensure Foster with North East meets national minimum requirements and timescales set out in the Fostering Recruitment and Retention Programme: End‑to‑End Programme Guidance and the new national minimum standards.
- Oversee the development and recruitment of the new staffing structure for FwNE including transition of existing Local Authority based staff.
- Lead the delivery of a large and complex budget, ensuring effective financial management and delivery of the approved business case.
- Establish robust governance, performance management and risk management frameworks, with transparent reporting of quality, performance and progress.
- Develop and sustain strong relationships with senior leaders across Local Authorities and key partner organisations to enable successful regional delivery.
- Work closely with the three Regional Adoption Agencies to ensure alignment, avoid duplication and maximise regional impact.
- Engage with national leaders and colleagues across other regions to embrace innovation and maximise opportunities arising from national reforms.
- Bring strong commercial acumen to position the regional arrangements as market‑leading, sustainable and value‑driven.
- Lead and model cultural change, promoting clear, effective and transparent communication across emerging regional arrangements.
- Ensure stakeholder insight, including the voices of children, young people and carers, is central to the design and delivery of Foster with North East and the RCC.
We are looking for an accomplished senior leader with extensive experience of leading fostering services at a senior level, within a Local Authority or an Independent Fostering Agency. You will bring strong system leadership, financial and commercial acumen, and significant political awareness, with a proven ability to lead complex change, establish new services and deliver results at scale.
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years' continuous local government service), membership of an excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable.
Director of Family Based Care - North East Regional Care Co-operative employer: Penna
The North East Regional Care Co-operative is an exceptional employer dedicated to transforming family-based care across the region. With a strong focus on leadership, innovation, and collaboration, we offer a supportive work culture that values employee growth and development. Our competitive rewards package, including generous leave entitlements and flexible working arrangements, ensures that our team members are well-supported in their roles as they work towards improving outcomes for children, young people, and foster carers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Family Based Care - North East Regional Care Co-operative
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Penna.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Penna.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Penna.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Penna. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Family Based Care - North East Regional Care Co-operative
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Penna. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Director of Family Based Care - North East Regional Care Co-operative, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Penna
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Penna. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
