At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee fostering agencies, ensuring safety and compliance while promoting positive outcomes for children.
- Company: Join Polaris, a leading community dedicated to improving children's lives for over 30 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, car allowance, and enhanced pension.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive environment with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while leading high-performing fostering services.
- Qualifications: Social work qualification, leadership experience, and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 £ per year.
Salary: £75,000 - £80,000, depending on experience
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Location: Nationwide
Benefits:
- £3,000 car allowance
- 30 days' annual leave, rising to 35 days with length of service, plus bank holidays
- Life Assurance - 2x annual salary
- Enhanced company pension
- Employee Discount Scheme
- Medical Cash Plan
About Us
We are Polaris, one of the UK's leading communities of children's services providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies that have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, alongside leaving care services, residential services, education and bespoke children's services contracts. Our nurturing community works collectively to support the very best outcomes for every child in our care. We're ambitious for our children and young people, families and staff, and we believe in their futures.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a Responsible Individual to join the community and oversee three of our fostering agencies, all rated as Good or Outstanding by Ofsted - Orange Grove Fostering Services, Fosterplus and Clifford House. The Responsible Individual will provide strategic oversight, management support and supervision to registered managers within the fostering agencies, ensuring services are safe, effective, well-led and fully compliant with regulatory requirements. The post holder will promote continuous improvement, positive outcomes for children and young people and high standards of professional practice across the services.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the Ofsted Responsible Individual for Clifford House, Orange Grove Fostering Services and Fosterplus, reporting to the Managing Director
- Provide management support, guidance and professional supervision to registered managers
- Ensure fostering services are safe, well-run and compliant with relevant legislation, regulations and National Minimum Standards
- Maintain oversight of safeguarding arrangements and act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the services
- Support registered managers with preparation for Ofsted registration and inspections, as well as subsequent action planning
- Support recruitment, induction and people management processes in accordance with Polaris policies
- Liaise with Ofsted and other regulatory bodies regarding notifications, inspections and significant events
- Investigate and oversee complaints, incidents and safeguarding concerns as required
- Maintain effective relationships with local authorities, commissioners, Foster Parents and external stakeholders
- Promote the wellbeing, participation and positive outcomes of children and young people
- Support organisational change and continuous service improvement
About You
The ideal candidate will have:
- A social work qualification and current Social Work England registration
- Excellent leadership and management skills, with experience of managing fostering agencies
- Experience of leading regulatory inspections
- Strong organisational and communication skills
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a highly supportive environment and to continue building on three established, high-performing fostering agencies that continue to develop and grow.
For an informal discussion about this opportunity, please contact Tracy Livesey, Managing Director.
To be considered, please apply and we will be in touch to discuss your application. No agencies, please.
Polaris Community is an equal opportunities employer and has been awarded Disability Confident Employer status by Jobcentre Plus. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Responsible Individual - Fostering in Stoke Prior employer: Polaris Community
At Headway Adolescent Resources, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to creating a nurturing environment for both our staff and the children in our care. Located in the tranquil setting of East Huntspill, Highbridge, we offer competitive salaries, generous bonuses, and a strong commitment to professional development, ensuring that our Registered Managers have the support and resources needed to thrive. Join our passionate team and make a meaningful impact while enjoying a positive work culture that values resilience, collaboration, and the voices of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Responsible Individual - Fostering in Stoke Prior
✨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 Polaris Community.
✨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 Polaris Community!
✨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 Polaris Community, 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 Polaris Community 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 Responsible Individual - Fostering in Stoke Prior
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 Polaris Community:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Polaris Community! 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 Polaris Community
✨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.
