At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative fostering services and shape strategies for children's welfare.
- Company: Welsh Authority's Children's Services, committed to high-quality care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, meaningful work, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a champion for children and families while driving impactful change.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in fostering or children's services required.
We are looking for an experienced and driven leader to join a Welsh Authority's Children's Services on a maternity cover basis. As Regional Development Manager for Substitute Family Care, you will lead the development of high-quality, innovative fostering services across the region - shaping strategy, driving performance, and championing best practice. You will have direct oversight of the regional front door for fostering recruitment, manage a small team of dedicated staff, and play a central role in the regional governance of Foster Wales.
What you'll be doing:
- Leading the regional work programme for fostering services, including planning, delivery and improvement
- Using the national performance framework to shape regional priorities and generate plans for improvement
- Representing the region at national Foster Wales meetings and reporting to governance boards
- Managing a team including a Regional Marketing Officer, Recruitment Support Officers, Training Officer, and Resource Assistant
- Engaging with local authorities across the region to develop and implement shared objectives
- Working in partnership with operational managers, social work services, voluntary agencies and the third sector
- Ensuring children, young people and families are meaningfully involved in service development
- Reporting regularly to Heads of Children's Services and preparing business cases as required
What we're looking for:
- Proven experience in a senior leadership role within fostering, children's services or a related area
- Strong understanding of fostering policy, practice standards and the Foster Wales framework
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills - from service users to senior leaders
- Experience of managing and developing teams
- Ability to analyse performance data and translate insights into actionable improvement plans
- A commitment to equality, safeguarding and promoting positive outcomes for children and young people
- Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends when required
Regional Development Manager – Substitute Family Care employer: Vivid Resourcing Ltd
Join a forward-thinking Welsh Authority's Children's Services as a Regional Development Manager for Substitute Family Care, where you will be part of a supportive and collaborative work culture dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. With a strong emphasis on professional development, you will have opportunities to lead innovative fostering services while working alongside passionate colleagues and engaging with local communities. This role not only offers a chance to make a meaningful impact but also provides a flexible working environment that values your contributions and promotes a healthy work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Regional Development Manager – Substitute Family Care
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fostering and children's services sector. Attend local events or webinars where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in managing teams and driving performance. Use specific examples that demonstrate how you've shaped strategy and improved services.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to organisations you're interested in, like the Welsh Authority's Children's Services, and express your interest in future opportunities. You never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills and passion. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and helps us keep track of your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Regional Development Manager – Substitute Family Care
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in fostering and children's services. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Regional Development Manager, so don’t hold back on showcasing your leadership experience!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive performance and improve services. Use metrics where possible to illustrate your impact – numbers speak volumes!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to get a sense of who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for fostering and how it drives your work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vivid Resourcing Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on fostering policies and the Foster Wales framework. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends and challenges in children's services, as this will show your passion and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven performance improvements in previous roles. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented and the positive outcomes that resulted from them.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with various stakeholders, from service users to senior leaders. Prepare to share your approach to building relationships and collaborating with local authorities and other partners.
✨Data-Driven Decision Making
Be prepared to discuss how you've used performance data to inform your decisions in the past. Highlight any experience you have in analysing data and translating it into actionable plans for improvement.
