At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate fostering services to empower children and families in Sandwell.
- Company: Sandwell Children's Trust, dedicated to child welfare and community support.
- Benefits: Generous leave, birthday off, relocation allowance, and service awards.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experienced Social Worker with leadership skills and a Level 5 qualification or willingness to obtain.
The predicted salary is between 62179 - 65938 £ per year.
At Sandwell Children's Trust, we firmly believe that the voice of the child should be at the centre of everything we do.
We are on an ambitious journey to ensure that children and families in Sandwell are safe and empowered to thrive.
Our
‘Sandwell Deal’, brings together our offering that make Sandwell Children’s Trust a great place to work.
- What we can offer you:-
- Generous annual leave of up to 31 days, plus 5 additional days for long service recognition.
- Your birthday off paid in addition to annual leave entitlement and 8 Bank Holidays, plus a concessionary day at Christmas.
- We recognise individual loyalty with service awards from 2, 5, 10 and every 5 years onwards.
To find out more please visit The Sandwell Deal via this hyperlink https://sandwelldeal. co. uk
Job title: Registered Fostering Manager
Grade/Salary: Grade J (£62,179 - £65,938 per annum)
- Market
- Supplement: £6,500 per annum
- Relocation
- Allowance: Up to £6,500*
Contract - Type: Permanent
Working pattern: 37 hours per week - Location: Oldbury/Hybrid
Closing date: midnight on Monday 16 November 2026
Sandwell Children's Trust are seeking a passionate and committed leader to join us in shaping brighter futures for children and families. As the
Registered Fostering Manager (RFM), you will play a vital role in overseeing Sandwell Children's
Trust's Ofsted-rated Good
Independent Fostering Agency and family time centre.
You will ensure our fostering services excel in meeting statutory requirements while continuing to innovate and support the needs of children, carers, and families.
Furthermore, as well as overseeing the main statutory fostering functions you will also have oversight of the Connected Team (Kinship Carers & Special Guardianship).
Our ambition is to provide robust wrap around support to all our carers within Sandwell, keeping children local in their communities and where possible reunification with their families.
You will play a key role in the success of the sufficiency strategy , bringing innovation and quality to both provide stable long-term homes for children & young people but also increase internal provision of our highly valued Sandwell Foster Carers.
- Your Key Responsibilities as the Registered Fostering Manager
- Be responsible for the overall management of the service, including the Trust’s family time centre , ensuring that statutory requirements are met and exceeded.
- You will liaise directly with Ofsted in relation to regulatory reporting.
- Take the lead on fostering inspections.
- Provide a strategic approach to service development including the sufficiency strategy
- Provide supervision to the Team Managers and Panel Advisor.
- Ensure that support and training is in place for all our carers, working collaboratively with resources from our partner agencies
- Develop and implement policies and procedures based on statutory guidance to ensure that the service is responsive to the needs of children and carers in Sandwell.
- Your skills & attributes as the Registered Fostering Manager
- An experienced Social Worker with significant experience of fostering and how IFA’s operate.
- Have a
Level 5 qualification in leadership and management or, be prepared to commence the qualification within 6 months of starting in the role.
- An inspirational leader with excellent management skills and the ability to encourage team working.
- Excellent communication skills with an ability to engage with children, carers and relevant stakeholders.
- Ability to write reports for a range of audiences and be able to verbally present these with confidence.
- Good understanding of performance management and a commitment to providing a high-quality service to children and carers.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
Reasonable adjustments are available at every stage of the recruitment process and throughout employment, helping everyone to thrive, perform to the best of their ability, and achieve success in their role.
Sandwell Children's Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups including children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people.
- *Terms & Conditions apply for relocation allowance
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Registered Fostering Manager in Oldbury employer: Sandwell Children's Trust
At Sandwell Children's Trust, we are dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families within our vibrant community. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our generous benefits package, flexible working arrangements, and a culture that prioritises collaboration and professional development. With a recent 'Good' rating from Ofsted and a focus on innovative practices, joining our team means being part of an exciting journey towards excellence in child welfare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Registered Fostering Manager in Oldbury
✨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 Sandwell Children's Trust.
✨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 Sandwell Children's Trust!
✨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 Sandwell Children's Trust, 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 Sandwell Children's Trust 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 Registered Fostering Manager in Oldbury
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 Sandwell Children's Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Sandwell Children's Trust! 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 Sandwell Children's Trust
✨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.
