Are you an experienced Registered Manager within fostering services looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people?

Care First UK Recruitment is working in partnership with a specialist Independent Fostering Agency (IFA) to recruit an experienced and motivated Registered Manager to lead and develop its fostering service.

Salary: £45,000–£75,000 per annum | Home-Based | UK-Wide Travel Required

This is an exciting opportunity for a strong leader with a background in fostering services management, safeguarding and regulatory compliance to take responsibility for the day-to-day running, strategic development and continued improvement of an independent fostering agency.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring children and young people receive safe, stable and nurturing foster placements, while supporting foster carers and leading a professional, dedicated team.

The Role

As Registered Manager, you will have overall responsibility for the effective management, quality and compliance of the fostering service. You will ensure the agency operates in line with relevant legislation, Ofsted requirements, Fostering Services Regulations and National Minimum Standards.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing the day-to-day operations of an Independent Fostering Agency.

• Ensuring compliance with Ofsted regulations, safeguarding procedures, child protection policies and National Minimum Standards.

• Recruiting, assessing and retaining high-quality foster carers to meet the needs of children and young people.

• Overseeing Form F assessments, fostering panel processes, panel preparation and the development of foster carers.

• Ensuring appropriate matching of children with foster carers to promote placement stability and positive outcomes.

• Monitoring care plans, placement agreements, annual reviews, DBS checks, medicals and other regulatory requirements.

• Leading, supervising and developing staff, including recruitment, performance management and appraisals.

• Providing guidance, advice and support to foster carers, including participation in an out-of-hours support rota.

• Maintaining accurate records, overseeing complaints and managing safeguarding incidents and notifications to Ofsted where required.

• Producing management information, regulatory reports and fostering panel annual reports.

• Managing resources, budgets, service performance and quality improvement initiatives.

• Contributing to the strategic development and long-term success of the organisation.

About You

We are seeking a confident and experienced fostering professional who can demonstrate strong leadership, sound judgement and a commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.

To be considered, you will have:

• Proven experience managing an Independent Fostering Agency or fostering service to a high standard.

• At least two years' management experience.

• The ability to meet the requirements to be approved as an Ofsted Registered Manager for a fostering service.

• A thorough understanding of Fostering Services Regulations, Ofsted requirements and National Minimum Standards.

• Strong knowledge of safeguarding, child protection and fostering compliance.

• Experience undertaking Form F assessments and overseeing foster carer assessments and approvals.

• Proven staff management, supervision, recruitment and performance management skills.

• Excellent communication, organisational and administrative abilities.

• Experience in resource management, service performance and quality assurance.

• The ability to manage competing priorities, make safe decisions and work effectively under pressure.

• A relevant leadership qualification, such as NVQ Level 5, or a willingness to undertake one.

• A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle.

Experience using CHARMS, or a similar fostering case management system, would be beneficial.

Working Arrangements

This is a home-based Registered Manager position, with significant regular travel and occasional overnight stays required to support staff, foster carers and the wider geographical needs of the service.

Flexibility is essential, including participation in an out-of-hours support rota.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary of £45,000–£75,000 per annum, depending on experience and suitability.

• A home-based working arrangement.

• A senior leadership opportunity within an Independent Fostering Agency.

• The opportunity to influence service quality, foster carer support and outcomes for children and young people.

• The chance to contribute to the strategic growth and development of a fostering service.

Apply Today

If you are an experienced Registered Manager, Fostering Service Manager or senior fostering professional ready to take the next step in your career, we would love to hear from you.

Apply through Care First UK Recruitment for a confidential discussion about this opportunity.

All appointments will be subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, vetting and an Enhanced DBS check with the appropriate barring arrangements for regulated activity.

Care First UK Recruitment is managing this vacancy on behalf of a confidential client.

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Contact information

James Maclean