Swiis Foster Care - Registered Fostering Manager

Pay: Up to £90,000 per year, plus a £5,050 car allowance per annum.

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Supporting Foster Carers. Transforming Lives.

If you are an experienced, committed Registered Fostering Manager who wants to join one of the UK's leading family owned Ofsted Outstanding fostering providers and help shape better futures for children and young people, please apply today. Swiis Foster Care is seeking a candidate with the appropriate work ethic and social work management experience to join our 'Ofsted Outstanding' rated service for our Midlands & South Service. This position is to be based hybrid in the West Midlands. Attendance at our Bristol office will be required on occasion. This is a varied, rewarding role where no two days are the same.

Main Purpose of Job

The Registered Manager is responsible for the overall leadership, management and oversight of the Midlands & South Fostering Service, ensuring:

• Full compliance with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services (2011)
• The safety, welfare and positive outcomes of children and young people placed with Swiis Foster Care
• High quality support, supervision and retention of foster carers
• Effective management and development of the regional management and social work teams
• Maintenance of the service's Ofsted Outstanding standards and continuous improvement

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Management

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across the Midlands & South Fostering Service with the support and direction of the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Operations.
• Have line management responsibility for the Fostering Services Manager (Deputy Manager) and overall oversight of Team Managers and Supervising Social Workers, Health Advisors, Participation and Support Workers, Education Advisors and business support/admin.
• Ensure robust management oversight across all areas of service delivery, including safeguarding, children and foster carers stability, foster carer support and staff practice.
• Promote a positive, child centred and values driven culture across the service.

Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Act as the Registered Manager with Ofsted for the service.
• Ensure compliance with: Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011; National Minimum Standards for Fostering Services 2011; All legislation and regulations pertaining to children and young people in our care and fostering; Swiis Foster Care policies, procedures and Statement of Purpose.
• Ensure appropriate and timely statutory notifications are made to Ofsted in line with regulatory requirements.
• Lead preparation for, response to and follow up from Ofsted inspections.
• Maintain oversight of quality assurance activity, audits and service improvement plans.

Safeguarding & Outcomes for Children

• Ensure children and young people placed with Swiis Foster Care are safe, well cared for and supported to achieve positive outcomes.
• Maintain oversight of safeguarding practice, responding effectively to concerns, allegations or incidents.
• Ensure effective multi agency working with placing authorities and partner agencies.
• Oversee arrangements for placement stability, disruption prevention and resolution of complex placement issues.

Foster Carer Experience & Retention

• Ensure foster carers receive high quality supervision, support and training.
• Promote strong foster carer engagement, retention and positive relationships with the service.
• Ensure foster carer feedback informs service development and improvement.

Workforce Management & Development

• Ensure effective supervision, appraisal, development and performance management of managers and staff.
• Support leadership development within the management team.
• Contribute to the recruitment, selection and induction of managers and senior staff.
• Ensure staffing arrangements support safe, effective service delivery across a large geographic area.

Operational & Partnership Working

• Work closely with the central commercial teams based in Bristol including Training & Development, Home Finding, and Foster Carer Recruitment.
• Ensure efficient use of resources while maintaining quality and compliance.
• Participate in senior leadership and organisational development activities as required.

Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure accurate, timely and appropriate record keeping across the service.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of initiatives that strengthen the service and improve outcomes.
• Participate in the out of hours management arrangements appropriate to the seniority of the role.
• Any other duties as may be appropriate to achieve the objectives of the agency commensurate with the post holder's grade, abilities and aptitudes.

Essential Requirements

• Social Work qualification (Degree / Masters / DipSW / or equivalent)
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services, or a willingness to attain this once registered with Ofsted
• Current registration with Social Work England
• Significant senior management experience within an independent fostering service in England
• At least 2 years fostering related experience within the last 5 years
• At least 1 year's experience supervising and managing professional staff
• Proven experience of leading large, geographically dispersed services
• Experience of managing managers and senior leaders
• Strong inspection history and experience working with Ofsted
• Driver's License (required)

What We Offer

• Salary up to £90,000 per annum
• £5,050 car allowance per annum
• 38 days Annual Leave inclusive of Public Holidays
• Excellent BUPA Private Health Care and Dental Care available
• Company Pension Scheme with options to increase contributions
• Life Assurance benefit of up to 3 times your annual salary paid to your beneficiaries
• Birthday Leave - a paid day off for your birthday
• Refer A Friend Scheme with a monetary incentive
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Platform that provides access to advice and support 24/7
• Eyecare Vouchers
• Opportunity to lead a highly regarded Ofsted Outstanding service
• Strong central support and experienced leadership peers
• Values led organisation committed to children, foster carers and staff

Apply Now

If you believe that you have the appropriate experience and ambition to work for one of the finest Independent Foster Care Agencies in the UK and have the desire to really improve outcomes for children and young people looked after, then please submit an up to date CV detailing a full employment history.

Swiis is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to ensuring that our staff have excellent working conditions and genuine career opportunities. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all employees to share this commitment and undertake the appropriate checks which will include an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service Check.