Fostering Services Manager

Fostering Services Manager

Salary:  Up to £56,700 per annum (dependent on experience)  
Location:  Exeter, Devon and Bristol
Contract/Hours:  Perm/Full time – 37 hours per week 

Benefits:  

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave . consideration of continued service leave balance 
• Excellent support and leadership opportunities
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages 
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover 
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers 

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, leading on embedding a therapeutic fostering offer to children and young people  

A bit about the role 

Our Fostering Service Manager will oversee standards and the compliance, safeguarding and sustainability needs of Fostering services within south-west England 

You will be part of the senior management group within England Fostering Services and work to Action for Children’s Head of Fostering 

The role involves strong financial acumen, ability to impact practice and culture and embed our AFC people strategy.  You will provide strong leadership and direction to a range of professional social work, health and business support staff and work in partnership with marketing and central AFC staff to maintain sustainable services 

You will hold the Registered Managers role for Devon Short Breaks and Fostering Southwest peninsular and oversee the Registered Manager role in Fostering Southwest (Bristol) services. You will be accountable for regulatory requirement and standards as directed by AFC Head of Fostering Services 

You will be responsible for local budgets and contracts, providing accuracy and accountability, and to build on strong relationships with commissioners and other stakeholders. 

You will be responsible to oversee our therapeutic HOMES Model.   information on this can be found by clicking here

About the service

This is an exciting opportunity to take over services that embed the HOMES model throughout its entire fostering approach, as the current leader is moving on.  You will be supported by highly equipped and experienced managers who see the importance of delivering on a culture of psychological safety 

Action for Children Fostering Services in England southwest provide the highest standards of  care  to  the most vulnerable children and young people by the provision of safe, secure, and successful foster homes including short breaks for children with additional needs. These services are located around Exeter, Devon and Bristol.

We provide foster families with excellent training, supervision, and support to achieve the best outcomes for the young people we look after. We provide high quality of care always ensuring children and young people are at the centre of our approach. We offer a therapeutic HOMES model and carers and staff have access to skilled psychologists with specialist knowledge of the needs of looked-after children.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• Provide strategic leadership to ensure strong practice and leadership is upheld
• Provide and deliver on AFC values 
• Oversee the day‑to‑day operations of regulated services across Exeter, Devon and Bristol 
• Provide oversight and accountability to AFC Head of Service (Fostering) and Ofsted, the Regulatory Body 
• Lead and be accountable for safeguarding, recording and practice.
• Build strong relationships with carer families, local organisations and partner agencies
• Be the external representative and attend local events, panels and forums to promote and strengthen the service.

Let's talk about you. 

• Hold a recognised social work qualification (Degree, DipSW, CQSW) and be registered with Social Work England 
• Significant experience across children’s social care, including fostering.
• Experienced in leading, motivating and supporting managers and social workers, challenging under‑performance and promoting best practice.
• Confident analysing data, managing budgets and applying commercial awareness within a social care context.

Why Action for Children? 

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t.  

By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us create change that really matters. And when we succeed, we’ll recognise what you did to make a difference.  

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.  

Will you join us? 

For more information about our Fostering Services Manager role, please check out job description here

How to apply 

If you require any support to apply, please contact: Scott Jones via email at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13632

For any questions about the role, please contact Colette Ferns via email at coletteferns@actionforchildren.org.uk (Head of Fostering - England).

Diversity, equality and inclusion

We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things. 

We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children. 

Men are currently under-represented within our Children Service roles. We’d like to change that. So, we really encourage men to apply for any of our Children Service roles. 

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Management Competency Framework

Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services