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- Tasks: Lead and manage fostering initiatives in Scotland, driving impact and evaluation.
- Company: Join the UK's leading fostering charity dedicated to supporting foster families.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days leave, flexible working, and enhanced pay options.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and foster families.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in fostering, leadership skills, and budget management.
- Other info: Open to job-sharing and committed to equal opportunities for all.
The predicted salary is between 53836 - 59012 £ per year.
Salary: £53,836 - £59,012
Hours: 35
Location: This is a hybrid role, with travel to our Glasgow office at least once a week.
Who We Are
The Fostering Network is the UK's leading fostering charity and membership organisation, dedicated to empowering, enriching and supporting the relationships at the heart of the fostering community.
Who We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone with extensive experience of the fostering sector to assist with leading the work in one of our four nations. You will have experience of working with local authorities, key government officials and a broad range of key stakeholders. A strategic thinker, collaborative, with excellent leadership skills and a wide range of experience. You will be a member of a leadership team or looking to progress your career to this level. You will bring a track record of delivering excellent outcomes in the field of social work, specifically fostering and care experienced children, along with a desire to continue to develop your skillset. Additionally, you will have experience of managing budgets and be able to demonstrate a knowledge of sound safeguarding practice.
What You'll Be Doing
This is an exceptional opportunity for a high-calibre professional with leadership experience to join our fantastic organisation. This post is one of four Country Directors, working with the CEO to deliver on our organisational strategic objectives. The post will manage and lead on key initiatives in a specific country, drive forward the monitoring, impact and evaluation of our work and ensure continuous improvement through innovative models of practice. You will have responsibility for developing and maintaining key stakeholder relationships and be responsible for securing grants, fundraising and engaging in activity to promote TFN and respond to the needs of the sector. A key responsibility for the post holder is to ensure that our services and products are sector leading, evidence-based and child centred.
What We Can Offer You
- 38 days leave (including bank holidays)
- A range of family friendly and fostering friendly leave options
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Enhanced maternity and adoption pay
- Enhanced sick pay
- 24/7 Employee Assistance Helpline
- Pension and life assurance
- Contribution to eye tests and lenses
- Season ticket loans
Our commitments to you
The Fostering Network is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community and especially those from under-represented and minoritised backgrounds. All applications and hiring decisions will be considered on merit. If you identify as care experienced and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be guaranteed an interview under our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant. If you have a disability, please tell us what reasonable adjustments would support your participation in the recruitment process. We are open to job-sharing arrangements for all roles, please indicate this in the application form if you are applying as part of a job share.
Core Purpose
We are seeking a talented individual to join our Leadership team. You will make a vital contribution helping us to sustain and expand our programmes across Scotland. In this role you will help make a difference and improve the lives of foster families and of children and young people in foster care. You will also provide guidance and support to fostering services.
Primary Objectives
- Overall management and leadership of our work in a specific country
- To work as a collaborative team of country specific directors across the UK
- Drive forward the monitoring, impact and evaluation of our work
- Develop and maintain key external stakeholder relationships, including national and local government, inspection and registration bodies, national organisations, fostering services, foster carers and all members
- Oversee the development, delivery and roll out of sustainable, impactful programmes to improve outcomes for children and foster carers
- Secure grants, fundraising and engage in activity to promote TFN and enable us to respond to the needs of the sector
- Budget management
- Identify and act on potential for innovation and collaboration
- Engage and grow the individual and corporate membership of TFN; and maintain the organisation's position as the leading fostering charity in the UK
- Safeguarding lead for the country
Responsibilities
- Overall management and leadership of our work in a specific country
- Lead, develop and manage The Fostering Network's work in Scotland in collaboration with other Country Directors, UK Directors, and Lead Managers.
- Ensure that our work in Scotland aligns to local and national policy directives, legislation, regulation, and good practice guidance.
- Demonstrate sound leadership and management of our staff members, volunteers and associates in Scotland, in accordance with TFN policies and procedures.
- Develop Scotland-specific strategies and plans in line with our organisational strategy.
- Initiate, develop and increase opportunities to enhance our national reach through working closely and collaboratively with all country specific deputy directors.
- Share good practice, resources, programmes, toolkits and relevant documents.
- Create and agree a programme of areas for development related to our work and research findings.
- Share the learning and resources from country-specific pilots, pathfinders and programmes, liaising with funders to agree consent for wider roll out if applicable.
- Drive forward the monitoring, impact and evaluation of our work.
- Ensure impact monitoring is central to all work undertaken in the country and contribute to the organisational capture, analysis and reporting of this work.
- Ensure that new concepts or programmes have clear monitoring processes in place to demonstrate impact.
- Ensure systems are in place to evaluate our work in the specific country and aligned to wider organisational evaluation plans and processes.
- Overall responsibility for reporting requirements internally to trustees and SLT and externally, including governments and funders.
- Develop and maintain key external stakeholder relationships, including national and local government, inspection and registration bodies, national organisations, fostering services, foster carers and all members.
- Act as a spokesperson and represent the organisation in Scotland.
- Support and advise the CEO or other visiting directors when undertaking public duties in Scotland.
- Develop and sustain a wide range of relationships to promote The Fostering Network's work and ensure that The Fostering Network is in productive dialogue with its members.
- Build and grow our stakeholders in Scotland, building on all opportunities to develop productive, professional relationships which enhance our mission and vision.
- Oversee the development, delivery and roll out of sustainable, impactful programmes to improve outcomes for children and foster carers.
- Oversight of all current programme delivery, ensuring objectives are met or exceeded.
- Identify challenges and opportunities for sector improvement, work with others to translate these into future programmes, or concepts for change.
- Prepare proposals for projects, ensuring they meet sustainable, impactful outcomes for children and foster carers.
- Secure grants, fundraising and engage in activity to promote TFN and enable us to respond to the needs of the sector.
- Identify opportunities for project development based on the needs of the sector.
- Complete high quality funding applications and respond to tenders.
- Work in collaboration with UK directors, country directors and lead managers to create joint applications for funding as and when required.
- Maintain local oversight of funding opportunities and build local fundraising relationships.
- Budget management.
- Hold, manage and be responsible for budgets, approving and authorising expenditure in accordance with budgetary constraints and delegated authority.
- Responsible for setting, monitoring and meeting budget requirements.
- Uphold and adhere to organisational policies and procedures in relation to financial matters.
- Identify and act on potential for innovation and collaboration.
- Create opportunities for scoping out innovative and creative developments.
- Ensure space for regular team building, collaboration and creative thinking.
- Work closely and collaboratively with Lead Managers across the organisation to ensure successful delivery of our services and translation of innovative programmes at local level.
- Engage and grow the individual and corporate membership of TFN; and maintain the organisation's position as the leading fostering charity in the UK.
- Maintain and grow individual, organisational and associate membership in Scotland.
- Ensure high engagement and promotion of membership services and benefits at local and national level.
- Participate in and promote at a country specifically level all national engagement campaigns, such as Foster Care Fortnight and other related activity.
- Facilitate and ensure effective methods for feedback between members and our UK-wide membership services.
- Identify and address any gaps in provision or opportunities for improvements.
- Safeguarding lead for the country.
- Fulfil the role of safeguarding lead for all aspects of work in Scotland.
- Ensure compliance with policy and procedures.
- Work closely with wider safeguarding leads, taking collective responsibility for the improvement of our safeguarding oversight.
- Contribute to safeguarding reports, updates and the annual safeguarding trustee audit process.
Main Stakeholders
- Senior Leadership Team
- Scotland Team
- Fundraising
- Policy
Country Director - Scotland in Somerset employer: The Fostering Network
Contact Detail:
The Fostering Network Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Country Director - Scotland in Somerset
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the fostering sector. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Country Director role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching The Fostering Network inside out. Understand their mission, values, and recent initiatives. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in making a difference in the fostering community.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your strategic thinking and ability to collaborate with various stakeholders, as these are key for the Country Director position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining The Fostering Network and making a positive impact in Scotland.
We think you need these skills to ace Country Director - Scotland in Somerset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in the fostering sector. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission and the specific needs of the role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Country Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or initiatives in the past, and how you can bring that expertise to The Fostering Network.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Fostering Network
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of the fostering sector. Understand the key challenges and opportunities in Scotland, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the goals of The Fostering Network. This will show that you're not just interested in the role, but that you genuinely care about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Country Director, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led teams or initiatives. Highlight your strategic thinking and collaborative approach, as these are crucial for driving forward the organisation's objectives.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including local authorities and government officials. Be ready to share your strategies for engaging with these groups and how you would promote The Fostering Network's work in Scotland. This shows that you understand the importance of collaboration in this role.
✨Budget Management Know-How
Since budget management is a key responsibility, come prepared to discuss your experience with managing budgets. Be specific about how you've handled financial constraints in the past and any innovative solutions you've implemented to ensure projects stay on track. This will demonstrate your capability to manage resources effectively.